📝 Detailed Answer
Based on cases from both in-person and telehealth consultations, patients typically fall into two categories: those suffering from nausea or insomnia after using Western diet drugs, and those whose basal metabolic rate has plummeted due to repeated crash dieting, leading to a state where they 'gain weight just by drinking water.' Having experienced the frustration of misguided dieting myself, I know how damaging and prone to the yo-yo effect this can be.
In Traditional Korean Medicine (TKM), weight gain is not viewed simply as an accumulation of fat. We look for 'Dameum' (phlegm-fluid retention), where waste products obstruct the circulation of Qi and Blood, or 'Eohyeol' (blood stasis), where stagnant blood impairs metabolism. Specifically, if a patient is in a state of 'Bihyeo' (Spleen deficiency), where weakened digestive functions lead to poor nutrient absorption and chronic edema, the priority is to restore Spleen function rather than simply suppressing appetite.
Even in telehealth settings, we strive to identify these nuances. Through detailed questionnaires and consultations, we assess the degree of edema, sleep quality, and digestive health to compose the appropriate herbal ingredients. Please remember that herbal medicine is like a 'tailored suit,' not a one-size-fits-all answer. What worked for someone else may not be the perfect fit for you. The most important part of the process is reading your body's signals and adjusting the treatment accordingly.