How to achieve healthy weight loss? Nowadays, there are many methods for losing weight. Some people prefer to diet, but dieting can affect our overall health. So, how can we lose weight in a healthy way? Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) weight loss is actually a good choice. So, which TCM herbs have weight loss effects? Let's take a look together with the editor.
According to TCM, obesity is often caused by deficiency in the body. This deficiency mainly refers to deficiency in Qi (energy), accompanied by imbalances in Yin and Yang and dysfunction in the liver and gallbladder. TCM weight loss has its unique charm, mainly because it has minimal side effects and is not painful. Let's now introduce seven TCM weight loss methods.
Dampness Dispelling Method:
Used for obesity caused by weak spleen function and accumulation of dampness. Symptoms include bloating, greasy tongue coating, and deep, thin pulse. Representative formulas include Ze Xie Tang, Er Shu Fu Ling Tang, and Fang Ji Huang Qi Tang.
Phlegm Expelling Method:
Used for obesity caused by phlegm turbidity. Symptoms include Qi deficiency, chest tightness, excessive sleepiness, white and greasy tongue coating, swollen tongue, and slippery pulse. Mild cases can use Er Chen Tang, Ping Chen Tang, and San Zi Yang Qin Tang, while severe cases can use Kong Xian Dan and Dao Tan Tang.
Diuresis Method:
This method distinguishes between mild diuresis and strong diuresis. Patients with this condition usually have obesity, edema, and symptoms of excessive urination and abdominal distension. For mild cases, Wu Pi Yin and Xiao Fen Qing Yin are recommended, while for strong cases, Zhou Che Wan and Shi Zao Tang are used, and the effects are good.
Intestinal Cleansing Method:
Primarily used for mild cases of intestinal cleansing. It is mostly used for obese patients who enjoy eating sweets and greasy foods. The main symptoms are a distended abdomen and shortness of breath with slight movement, yellow and thick tongue coating, and full pulse. Da Cheng Qi Tang is selected to regulate the stomach, or Cheng Qi Tang or Da Huang Pian can be used.
Food Digestion Method:
Used for obesity caused by loss of appetite. Symptoms include obesity, laziness, abdominal fullness and food stagnation, and white tongue coating. For meat stagnation, hawthorn is used; for flour stagnation, Shen Qu is used; and for food stagnation, malt is used.
Liver Soothing and Gallbladder Promoting Method:
Used for obesity combined with liver depression and Qi stagnation or blood stasis. Symptoms include obesity, accompanied by rib pain, irritability, dizziness, fatigue, abdominal distension, yellow tongue coating, and wiry pulse. Commonly selected formulas include Wen Dan Tang, Shu Gan Yin, Xiao Zhang San, and Xiao Yao San.
Spleen Strengthening Method:
The main treatment method for obesity is to strengthen the spleen and then nourish the stomach. Most cases involve weak spleen and Qi deficiency, reduced appetite, frequent fatigue and weakness, white and pale tongue coating, and weak and thin pulse. Recommended formulas include Shen Ling Bai Zhu San, He Zhi Mu Wan, and Wu Ling San.
