I'm planning to try intermittent fasting for the first time; how should I coordinate it with my herbal medicine?
Starting with sudden fasting can shock your system. Begin with a gentle 12-hour fast for the first week, then gradually increase to 16 hours in the second week. Taking herbal medicine during this process can help reduce dizziness and lethargy caused by hunger, facilitating a smoother transition in how your body utilizes energy.
Many people start fasting with great ambition, only to experience dizziness and difficulty functioning in daily life. The key to success is 'stepwise adaptation.'
Days 1–7 are the 'Adaptation Phase.' Try fasting for 12 hours—for example, from 7 PM until 7 AM the next day. During this time, herbal medicine helps soothe hunger pangs and supports patients with Spleen Deficiency (脾虛, a state where weakened spleen function leads to poor digestion and absorption).
Days 8–14 are the 'Acceleration Phase.' Increase your fasting window to 16 hours. You may feel your body becoming lighter as Dam-eum (痰飮, the accumulation of metabolic waste and stagnant fluids) begins to be discharged. However, if you experience excessive fatigue during this period, the herbal prescription will be adjusted to replenish your Qi and regulate the pace.
From Day 15 onward, you enter the 'Stabilization Phase,' where you have found a fasting pattern that suits your constitution. At this stage, treating Eohyeol (瘀血, blood stasis caused by poor circulation) alongside fasting can further optimize your metabolism.
The most important thing is to monitor your own body's reactions rather than strictly following a generic schedule. If your condition declines, please consult with me to adjust the herbal ingredients or fasting duration.
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