Q. I live in Chuncheon and am thinking about getting a diet herbal medicine prescription through a non-face-to-face consultation. What is the experience actually like for other patients?

Visiting a clinic can feel like a high hurdle, and it is natural to be skeptical of non-face-to-face consultations where you do not meet the doctor in person. In my decade of practice, I have found that those who struggle most with dieting often suffer from 'Dameum' (phlegm-fluid) and 'Biheo' (Spleen Qi deficiency). Dameum refers to sticky metabolic waste accumulated in the body, which causes heaviness and edema. Biheo, or weakness in Spleen function, leads to low energy, causing the body to crave sweets or carbohydrates as a compensatory mechanism. I have seen many office workers who used to succumb to late-night snacks find that with prescriptions that promote circulation and satiate hunger, their cravings significantly diminish. Similarly, postpartum patients struggling with 'Eohyeol' (blood stasis) often report feeling much lighter once their internal circulation and swelling are managed. However, results are not universal. Based on my own history of failed diets, I know that everyone reacts to herbal ingredients differently. Some may experience initial palpitations or insomnia. This is why I conduct even more meticulous phone consultations for remote patients—to help you avoid trial and error and find a prescription perfectly suited to your unique body constitution.