Miple ClinicHow to take your herbal medicine and spend the first 2 weeks
The first 2 weeks are the time your body adapts to the herbal medicine. Discomfort gradually eases and gets better. Feeling uncomfortable is not bad for your health, and it does not mean the medicine is wrong for you. You can take it easy and let it pass.
How to take it
- Take it twice a day, morning and afternoon.
- Before meals or on an empty stomach is the basic rule.
- If your stomach feels uneasy, have something light such as cherry tomatoes or a boiled egg first, or take it right after a meal.
- Drink plenty of water. Warm water is even better.
- Take care to get enough salt. There is no need to eat food that is too bland. If you have high blood pressure, however, keep to the limits you normally follow.
In the first few days to 1–2 weeks, you may notice these changes
Most are mild, and you adapt within a few days to 1–2 weeks. This may vary from person to person.
| Symptom | Why it happens | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Palpitations, trembling hands | Your body is reacting because burning body fat is an urgent situation for it. It is a good stress response | Drink enough water and keep up your salt too. It usually eases within a few days to 1-2 weeks |
| Lighter sleep | Your body is shifting into a state of using energy. It is a natural adaptation | Try taking the afternoon dose a little earlier. It usually passes soon |
| Nausea, indigestion | Appetite drops and digestion slows | Eat a few cherry tomatoes or an egg before taking it, or take it right after a meal, and drink plenty of water |
| Dry mouth | Water is used up in the process of using body fat | Drink water often and plenty of it |
| Headache | Your body is adapting to a new state. It happens more easily when water or salt runs low | Drink enough water and do not eat food that is too bland. It gradually gets better |
Why do these changes occur?
By nature, the body dislikes drawing on body fat. From the body's point of view, losing body fat is an urgent situation, so it reacts and feels a little stress. This is "good stress." Ephedra (mahuang), the key herb in herbal diet medicine, awakens the sympathetic nervous system and raises heart rate and body temperature, and this is the response that appears while the body shifts to burning fat.
So feeling uncomfortable is not bad for your health, and it does not mean the medicine is wrong for you. We also adjust the prescription stage to the pace at which your body adapts. If it is really uncomfortable, we lower it by one stage and raise it slowly again once you feel at ease.
Stop taking the medicine only in these cases
Stop taking the medicine and contact us (or go to the nearest hospital) only if you have chest pain, shortness of breath, dizziness to the point of nearly fainting, or palpitations that keep getting worse even at rest.
Other light palpitations, shallow sleep, dry mouth, and nausea are a natural adaptation. You do not need to call. If you have questions, please feel free to ask on KakaoTalk.
Medicines to tell us about
- Antibiotics
- Other diet drugs, injections (such as Wegovy), and supplements. For injections, talk to the prescribing doctor first, and be sure to tell us at your Miple visit.
- Medicines for chronic conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and high cholesterol
Cases where it cannot be taken
- If you are pregnant or breastfeeding
- People on dialysis
- People whose liver function is greatly reduced, such as in cirrhosis or active hepatitis
If you have cardiovascular disease such as high blood pressure or arrhythmia, glaucoma, anxiety disorder, or panic disorder, or if the patient is a child, teen, or older adult, please be sure to tell us before we prescribe. We adjust the herbs and stage based on your condition.
How Miple is different
Because we prepare it in-house, we can apply stage adjustments right away. The head doctor personally checks your progress.
Frequently Asked Questions
I cannot sleep after taking the medicine. Does that mean it does not suit me?
No. As your body shifts into using energy, sleep becomes lighter, and this is a natural adaptation. Try taking the afternoon dose a little earlier. It usually eases within a few days to 1-2 weeks.
My stomach is upset when I take it on an empty stomach. What should I do?
Have something light like cherry tomatoes or an egg first, or take it right after a meal. Drink plenty of water. It gets easier over time.
If I get palpitations, do I have to stop right away?
No. Light palpitations are a natural response as the body starts using body fat. Drink plenty of water, keep up your salt, and watch how you feel. It usually eases within a few days to 1-2 weeks. If you have chest pain or shortness of breath, or if palpitations keep getting worse even at rest, stop taking the medicine and contact us.
How much water and salt should I have?
Drink plenty of water. Do not cut salt too much either; season your food as usual. If you have high blood pressure, keep to the limits you normally follow.
I take other medicines. Can I take them together?
Please tell us about all the medicines you take before we prescribe. Antibiotics and other diet drugs, injections, or supplements are not taken together with it. For injections, please talk to the prescribing doctor first. For chronic-condition medicines, we adjust the prescription based on your condition.
What should I do if I forget to take it?
Ask the doctor on KakaoTalk. We will advise you according to the situation.
Miple Korean Medicine Clinic · Korean medicine doctor · 19 years of clinical experience · Author of 'The Secret to Ending Diets with Korean Medicine' · Inventor of the GONG BI JIN YAK patent (No. 10-2865645)
Curious about a prescription that fits your body?
After a body composition test, the head doctor consults with you in person.
This article is general health information and does not replace individual diagnosis or prescription. The effects and side effects of herbal medicine vary from person to person.
