Q. How do you proceed step by step for weight loss from a Traditional Korean Medicine approach?

In Traditional Korean Medicine, weight is not simply a calorie issue but depends on the smooth flow of qi (氣), blood (血), and body fluids (津液). Thus, a stepwise approach is important. **Weeks 1–2: Remove stagnation** – The goal is to resolve dampness (濕) and phlegm (痰飮), which cause heaviness, swelling, and slow metabolism. Prescriptions like Pyeongwi-san (平胃散) or Yijin-tang (二陳湯) are used with variation according to pattern differentiation (辨證). Weight change may be minimal, but you will feel lighter and digestion improves. **Weeks 3–4: Strengthen spleen (脾) function** – The spleen transforms food into qi and blood. Spleen deficiency (脾虛) leads to low energy and poor weight loss even with reduced intake. Tonifying formulas such as Bojungikgi-tang (補中益氣湯) or Yunggunja-tang (六君子湯) upgrade the metabolic engine. By week 3, many experience stabilized appetite and reduced post-meal drowsiness or bloating. **After 1–2 months: Maintenance and readjustment** – Fine-tune based on individual constitution (e.g., cold pattern [寒證] uses warming herbs, heat pattern [熱證] uses cooling herbs). To prevent rebound (yo-yo effect), addressing blood stasis (瘀血) by promoting circulation is crucial. Overall, the aim is gradual body composition change over 3–6 months, not rapid weight loss. Following these stages has led to consistent success in practice.