Q. I'm struggling with insomnia and can't seem to lose weight. When will I start feeling lighter after beginning herbal medicine treatment?

Many patients experience a similar struggle where burnout and stress lead to poor sleep and systemic swelling. From a clinical perspective, attempting to starve oneself while sleep-deprived is highly inefficient and counterproductive. During the first 1–2 weeks, we focus on improving the 'quality of sleep.' In TKM, the accumulation of Eohyeol (瘀血, blood stasis) and Dameum (痰飮, phlegm-fluid retention) can cause heat to rise to the upper body, resulting in insomnia. By resolving these stagnations, you will begin to fall asleep more deeply and feel less lethargic upon waking. From the 3rd to 4th week, metabolic functions are fully activated. For those with Biheo (脾虛, Spleen deficiency), digestive and absorptive functions are impaired, leading to edema and a feeling of heaviness. By restoring Spleen function, the body recovers its innate ability to expend energy efficiently, which is when you will likely notice a change in how your clothes fit. After the first month, you enter a 'stabilization phase' to maintain the weight loss. Rather than simply reducing a number on the scale, this process is about transforming your constitution into one that sleeps well and burns energy effectively. We ask for your patience as your body gradually restores its natural biological rhythm.