Q. What do I need to get a non-face-to-face diet herbal medicine prescription in Gwangju?

For a non-face-to-face consultation in Korean medicine, the diagnosis relies heavily on your self-reported information since pulse and abdominal palpation are not possible. The questionnaire is central—covering appetite, digestive strength, bowel tendencies, fatigue, and cold sensitivity helps differentiate patterns such as Spleen Deficiency (脾虛, pi xu), Phlegm-Fluid (痰飮, tan yin), or Blood Stasis (瘀血, yu xue). For example, poor digestion with bloating suggests pi xu, while a strong appetite with loose stools and gas points to combined tan yin and pi xu. Tongue diagnosis (舌診, seoljin) is a key remote tool: provide a high-resolution photo taken in natural morning light before eating or drinking, showing the full tongue (tip to root). The tongue’s color, coating, and teeth marks reveal qi-blood status and damp-heat (濕熱, sip yeol). Avoid artificial light or prolonged protrusion as it alters color. A face photo or brief video call helps assess facial puffiness (especially under eyes), lip color, skin issues, and even vocal tone—indicators of fluid metabolism or heat patterns. Adding a 5–10 minute video connection can capture vitality and speaking pace, further refining the diagnosis. Safety is paramount: share any recent lab results (liver/kidney function, thyroid hormones, HbA1c) and current medications—especially modern weight-loss drugs like Wegovy or Saxenda—to prevent interactions. Inform the practitioner of their dosage and when you stopped. Finally, non-face-to-face care requires ongoing communication. You will need to send periodic updates (every 2–4 weeks) on symptoms, weight trends, and side effects so the prescription can be adjusted. This commitment ensures the treatment is effective and safe despite the physical distance.