I can't stop binge eating every night. Can herbal medicine help control these cravings, and are there any side effects?
Binge eating is often a matter of biological signals rather than a lack of willpower. Rather than simply suppressing appetite, Traditional Korean Medicine focuses on restoring the body's internal balance to reduce 'false hunger.' Since every individual's constitution differs, a detailed assessment of your current health status is essential to find the right approach for you.
Nighttime binge eating is often linked to 'Spleen Deficiency' (Bi-heo, 脾虛) in Traditional Korean Medicine. When the Spleen's function is weakened, nutrient absorption and metabolism become inefficient, leading the brain to mistakenly perceive an energy shortage, which triggers intense cravings. This cycle is often exacerbated by 'Blood Stasis' (Eo-hyeol, 瘀血) or 'Phlegm-Fluid' (Dam-eum, 痰飮) caused by stress, making the body feel heavy and driving a desire for stimulating foods.
Many patients visit after experiencing rebound binge eating following western diet medications or struggling with emotional hunger. Instead of simply telling you to 'endure it,' I focus on prescriptions that clear heat from the stomach or improve Qi and Blood circulation to switch off the 'false hunger' trigger.
However, herbal medicine is not a magic cure that erases all cravings instantly. If a prescription does not align with your specific constitution, you may experience discomforts such as heart palpitations or insomnia. Therefore, I work closely with patients to analyze why the body is craving certain foods and adjust the medicinal herbs accordingly to ensure the safest and most comfortable path to recovery.
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