Customized Herbal Medicine for Growth: Tailored to Your Child’s Constitution

Hello, this is Dr. Hyocheong Chae, director of Sunyujae Korean Medicine Clinic in Dongcheon-dong, Suji-gu, a place where kind hearts reside.

Hello, this is Dr. Chae. When winter break begins, consultations for growth herbal medicine particularly increase. This is because it’s a time when more parents want to use the break to help their child’s growth.

During consultations, I often hear parents’ deep concerns like, “I’m worried because my child isn’t growing tall.” In fact, I was also a parent who worried about my child’s height and growth. Therefore, I understand parents’ anxious feelings and earnest expectations better than anyone.

Through this article, I aim to present methods and solutions tailored to your child’s constitution to help them achieve healthy growth. Once, a mother came to me with a worried expression. “Director, my child doesn’t eat much. No matter how much I prepare, they only eat a little, and I think they’re not growing tall.” Another parent said this:

“My child eats well and loves snacks too much. But strangely, they’re not growing tall, only gaining weight. What on earth is the problem?” Although the topic is the same “height growth,” since parents have such different concerns, it was necessary to explain the reasons in detail.

Reasons why children don’t grow tall, whether they eat well or not! Many parents think, “They’re not eating, so they won’t grow tall,” or “They’re eating a lot, so they’ll grow well.” However, children’s growth is not simply a matter connected to meal quantity or weight.

Because each child’s constitution and body condition are different, the factors hindering growth also vary. 1. Children who don’t eat well

Children who don’t eat well are not simply lacking appetite; often, their digestive organs are weak. If digestive function is weak, food cannot be properly digested and absorbed, leading to a lack of essential nutrients, which can directly affect growth. In particular, these children tend to prefer sweet tastes, but foods that rapidly raise blood sugar, such as fruits, juices, and carbonated drinks, can actually hinder growth hormone secretion.

Therefore, it is important to improve the constitution by strengthening the digestive organs and stimulating appetite. For this, herbs that tonify the digestive system, such as Baizhu (Atractylodes macrocephala) and Sharen (Amomum villosum), are used as a base, and customized herbs are added or removed according to the child’s condition.

2. Children who eat too much

Conversely, children with a large appetite who eat excessively may not efficiently utilize the nutrients they consume, or excessive intake can lead to the accumulation of body fat, hindering height growth. In particular, body fat can suppress the secretion of growth hormone, so appropriate regulation is necessary. In such cases, herbs like Bokryeong (Poria cocos), Changchul (Atractylodes lancea), and Ui-i-in (Coix lacryma-jobi) are used to eliminate dampness-phlegm and reduce body fat, with customized herbs added or removed according to the child’s condition.

Growth herbal medicine requires a customized prescription tailored to the child. Once, a child came to me. This child had no appetite, didn’t eat well, and always looked tired. After taking growth herbal medicine to strengthen their digestive organs and stimulate their appetite, a few months later, the child came back with a bright face and said this:

“Director, food tastes good these days! And I’ve grown a little taller!” Another child had a slow growth rate due to being overweight. This child found balance by taking herbal medicine to regulate body fat and stimulate growth plates.

Before long, their body felt lighter, and we could see them growing taller.

As such, growth herbal medicine is not simply a medicine to increase height. Its purpose is to meticulously examine the child’s current condition, including their constitution, digestive organs, and lifestyle habits, and to supplement the necessary areas with customized treatment to aid overall growth. Winter break is a really good time to take growth herbal medicine.

• Time Availability • Time availability During the school semester, it’s difficult to manage medication schedules due to studies and activities. During the break, ample time can be secured, making medication management easier. • Strengthening basic physical strength By nourishing the body during winter and building immunity and basic physical strength, you can prevent frequent colds and illnesses and optimize the growth environment.

• Preparing for the new semester If health is restored and the body’s balance is adjusted during the break, children can start the new semester energetically and healthily after school reopens. Growth is not just a matter of genetics! “Our family is genetically short, so there’s nothing we can do.” Many parents often conclude this. However, according to research, genetics only account for about 23% of a child’s height.

The remaining 77% is determined by acquired factors such as the child’s lifestyle habits, nutrition, sleep, and exercise. This winter break, try to improve your child’s constitution and correct their lifestyle habits with growth herbal medicine. We will work together to create an environment that can maximize their growth potential!

If you need more detailed information about growth treatment, please feel free to contact Sunyujae Korean Medicine Clinic anytime.

Dongcheon-dong Korean Medicine Clinic Sunyujae pursues evidence-based medicine and integrative medicine.

This post was written directly by the medical staff of Sunyujae Korean Medicine Clinic to provide medical information, in compliance with Article 56(2) and Article 57(3) of the Medical Service Act. The duration and outcome of treatment may vary from person to person, so please consult a qualified practitioner before beginning treatment.