Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is known for its extensive knowledge and wisdom. But did you know that TCM can also be used for weight loss? TCM weight loss methods are safer, more effective, and less prone to rebound compared to other weight loss methods. So, what are the principles behind TCM weight loss? Below, I will introduce six TCM weight loss methods that can help you lose weight quickly without rebound.
Six Methods for Weight Loss without Rebound
1. Digestion-enhancing Method
Excessive body weight is often caused by an accumulation of fat in the body due to poor digestion in the stomach, leading to bloating. TCM weight loss methods use herbal medicines such as hawthorn, barley malt, and radish seeds to help improve digestion in the stomach. This method has been documented in ancient Chinese pharmacology books.
Traditional remedies such as Jiao San Xian and Bao He Wan are commonly used in pediatric TCM. Commercial products like hawthorn fruits, hawthorn cakes, and hawthorn pastries are delicious and convenient for consumption on-the-go. Fresh radishes can be eaten raw or stir-fried and are considered a simple food therapy for reducing fat.
2. Blood Circulation-enhancing Method
Obesity is often associated with excessive fat in the blood, which can lead to atherosclerosis and various cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. Medicinal herbs that promote blood circulation and remove stasis have the effect of dilating coronary arteries, increasing blood flow, reducing blood lipids, and preventing and dissolving plaque formation.
For individuals with blood stasis and obstruction, women with amenorrhea, or patients with a bluish-purple tongue, blood circulation-enhancing methods can be used for weight loss and disease treatment. Commonly used herbs include Angelica sinensis and Chuanxiong.
Danshen, in combination with the Four Substances Decoction, is a commonly used medicine for treating cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. Chi Shao Yao and Ji Xue Teng promote blood circulation and relieve muscle tension, making them suitable for patients with blood stasis and meridian obstruction. Sanqi and Pu Huang are effective in promoting blood circulation and relieving pain, and are often used for patients with blood stasis and stabbing pain. Commercial products such as Danshen pills, compound Danshen pills, Coronary Heart Disease Formula 1, and Coronary Heart Disease Formula 2 are all effective in promoting blood circulation, dissolving stasis, and reducing blood lipids.
3. Chest-expanding and Phlegm-transforming Method
TCM literature states that "obese individuals tend to have excessive phlegm." This phlegm refers to the turbid phlegm caused by excessive fat. Clinically, obese individuals often experience shortness of breath, chest tightness, dizziness, nausea, and a greasy tongue coating. Some individuals may have excessive phlegm-fire, leading to irritability, anger, high blood pressure, headache, insomnia, and a yellow greasy tongue coating, as well as constipation. These individuals can benefit from the chest-expanding and phlegm-transforming method.
Commonly used herbs include Gualou, also known as Trichosanthes kirilowii, which is the main herb for chest-expanding and phlegm-transforming purposes. Commercial products such as Gualou pills are made from this herb and are effective in reducing blood lipids, especially for treating coronary heart disease. Gualou seeds also have a laxative effect and are suitable for individuals with phlegm-fire obstruction and constipation. Xie Bai, also known as Allium macrostemon, is often used in combination with Gualou in the famous Gualou Xie Bai Decoction, which has been used for centuries to treat chest bi and heart pain.
Zhi Shi and Zhi Ke have the effect of clearing heat and transforming phlegm. When combined with Chen Pi and Ban Xia, they become a warming gallbladder decoction, which is often used to treat obesity with phlegm-dampness and insomnia.
