Q. When I get a diet prescription from a Korean medicine clinic, what are the specific steps involved?

First, we conduct a thorough consultation about your diet history, digestive health, bowel movements, and sleep patterns. In Korean medicine, spleen deficiency (脾虛, biheo) means a weak spleen leads to poor metabolism even with small food intake. The first 1–2 weeks are a 'settling-in period' where herbal medicine is combined with a food diary. The focus is on improved digestion and morning freshness rather than weight loss. Between weeks 2 and 4, the body starts reacting more noticeably. Moxibustion or herbal acupuncture may be added to address phlegm-fluid (痰飮, dameum) or blood stasis (瘀血, eohyeol), helping eliminate accumulated waste. You may experience mild headaches or fatigue initially—this is part of the change process. After about a month, many find clothes fitting looser, with clear results by 2–3 months. Importantly, the goal is constitutional improvement, not just weight loss. Even after discontinuing herbs, dietary habits and daily rhythms are corrected to minimize yo-yo effect. Some think Korean medicine diet is expensive, but from experience, changing your body first yields the best cost-effectiveness. Feel free to ask anything in the clinic.