Q. I keep gaining weight due to stress. When can I typically expect to see results after starting herbal medicine treatment?

Many people experience emotional eating or a feeling of heaviness when under extreme stress. The core objective of Traditional Korean Medicine (TKM) is not merely weight loss, but restoring the body's internal balance. The first 1–2 weeks serve as an 'adaptation phase.' During this time, the treatment focuses on clearing 'Dam-eum' (痰飮, stagnant phlegm-like fluids) and 'Eo-hyeol' (瘀血, blood stasis/stagnant blood), which are metabolic waste products. You will likely feel your body becoming lighter as these obstructions are removed. From the 3rd to 4th week, we enter the 'metabolic improvement phase.' We specifically address 'Bi-heo' (脾虛, Spleen Deficiency), a condition where stress weakens the digestive system. Once Spleen function is restored, nutrients are absorbed properly and energy levels stabilize, which naturally reduces cravings without the need for extreme fasting. It is helpful to view the first 8 weeks as a period to 'reset' your body's metabolic baseline. Forcing rapid weight loss can shock the system and often leads to the yo-yo effect. To ensure a healthy and sustainable transformation, we recommend visiting the clinic for a constitution analysis to establish a personalized treatment plan.