Q. Can I receive a non-face-to-face prescription for diet herbal medicine in Mapo-gu, Seoul?

Yes, you can receive a non-face-to-face prescription for diet herbal medicine even in Mapo-gu. I initially wondered how medication could be given without seeing the patient face-to-face, but after some firsthand experience, I found it to be quite efficient when conditions are right. Non-face-to-face prescriptions are suitable for: - Those with overall stable health who are not taking chronic medications like antihypertensives or diabetes drugs. - Those who have recently stopped Western diet drugs (e.g., Wegovy, Saxenda) without experiencing side effects. - Those whose goals are simply appetite control or edema reduction, and who have difficulty visiting a Korean medicine clinic due to work. Conversely, an in-person visit is recommended for: - Those with underlying conditions such as thyroid, kidney, or liver diseases, or those taking multiple medications. - Those experiencing severe rebound weight gain, nausea, or constipation after Western diet drug use. - Those who lack confidence in herbal medicine and feel they need direct pulse diagnosis and consultation. The non-face-to-face process consists of three main steps: 1) Online questionnaire – Please provide detailed information on constitution, eating habits, digestion, sleep, and bowel movements. 2) Video consultation (15–20 minutes) – Based on the questionnaire, I will ask questions, and you can freely ask any questions. At this stage, we conduct a pattern differentiation (辨證, byeonjeung) in Korean medicine. For example, if you experience significant edema, fatigue, and loose stools, this is considered spleen deficiency (脾虛, biheo) – where spleen function is weak, leading to impaired water metabolism – and we focus on herbs that tonify the spleen (補脾, bobi). Conversely, if there is stress-induced binge eating or chest tightness, we consider possibilities such as blood stasis (瘀血, eohyeol) or phlegm-fluid (痰飮, dameum). 3) Prescription and delivery – After the consultation, we prepare customized herbal medicine and send it to your home or office via courier. We also provide usage instructions and precautions via text message, and you can schedule a follow-up consultation if symptoms change. Herbal medicine, rather than pursuing rapid weight loss, focuses on restoring the body’s metabolic rhythm by considering constitution and underlying causes. Even in non-face-to-face settings, we strive not to compromise the depth of the consultation. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask.