Q. Doctor, will herbal weight loss medicine work for someone like me who's trying it for the first time? I'm curious about who you recommend it to.

I have also gone through a lot of trial and error in the past, trying to starve myself and following every trendy diet out there. (Laughs) The goal of herbal weight loss medicine isn't just to suppress your appetite; it is crucial to determine the direction of the prescription based on each patient's unique physical condition. First, if your body always feels heavy and you suffer from severe morning swelling, we need to check for the accumulation of 'Phlegm-fluid (Dameum)' or 'Blood Stasis (Eohyeol).' Phlegm-fluid refers to waste products caused by poor water metabolism, and Blood Stasis refers to blood that has stagnated and failed to circulate. When these wastes fill the body, metabolism becomes blocked, making it incredibly difficult to lose weight. In these cases, we use herbs that promote circulation and discharge toxins. There are also patients with 'Spleen Deficiency (Bi-heo),' characterized by weak digestion and easy fatigue. If the Spleen function is impaired, the body lacks the fundamental energy needed to burn calories. Using strong weight-loss drugs on such patients can cause dizziness and make daily life difficult. Instead, a strategy is needed to supplement Vital Qi while gradually raising the basal metabolic rate. We also see the 'Hyperactivity of Liver Yang (Ganyang-sanghang)' type, where stress leads to binge eating. When Liver Qi rises and accumulates heat, appetite becomes uncontrollable. In this case, medicinal herbs that calm the mind must be used to effectively manage food cravings. Chasing trends without knowing your body's specific state will eventually lead to the 'yo-yo effect.' Identifying your specific type and receiving a customized prescription is the essential first step toward healthy and sustainable weight loss.