I have been drinking soup made with cooked Rehmannia glutinosa recently, but I found that I gained several pounds when I weighed myself today. I want to know if eating cooked Rehmannia glutinosa can cause weight gain.
Does Eating Cooked Rehmannia Glutinosa Cause Weight Gain?
It is possible.
Cooked Rehmannia glutinosa is a nourishing medicinal herb that has the effects of nourishing blood, nourishing yin, and replenishing essence. In general, normal consumption of cooked Rehmannia glutinosa does not cause weight gain. However, because cooked Rehmannia glutinosa is sticky and difficult to be digested by the spleen and stomach, long-term and excessive consumption of cooked Rehmannia glutinosa can disrupt the digestion and transformation function of the spleen and stomach, leading to phlegm-damp accumulation and potential weight gain.
What to Do If Eating Cooked Rehmannia Glutinosa Causes Weight Gain
1. Immediately stop eating cooked Rehmannia glutinosa
If weight gain is caused by eating cooked Rehmannia glutinosa, there may also be symptoms of phlegm-damp accumulation, such as limb edema, excessive facial oiliness, easy fatigue, and sticky mouth. It is recommended to immediately stop eating cooked Rehmannia glutinosa to prevent the worsening of phlegm-dampness and more obvious obesity.
2. Exercise moderately
If weight gain occurs after consuming cooked Rehmannia glutinosa, it is recommended to engage in moderate physical exercises such as jogging, walking, and yoga. Moderate exercise can promote the digestion and transformation function of the spleen and stomach, alleviate discomfort symptoms, and help reduce weight.
3. Eat a light diet
In terms of diet, it is advisable to consume a light diet to avoid exacerbating phlegm-dampness symptoms and making weight gain more apparent. It is recommended to eat more vegetables and fruits that can promote detoxification and eliminate dampness, such as winter melon, white radish, red bean, and Chinese yam.
4. Consult a doctor
If weight gain is significant or other phlegm-dampness symptoms are severe, it is recommended to consult a doctor. Taking some spleen-invigorating and dampness-eliminating Chinese herbal medicines such as Poria cocos, coix seed, white atractylodes rhizome, and red adzuki bean under the guidance of a doctor can help remove phlegm-dampness and alleviate symptoms.
How to Prevent Weight Gain from Eating Cooked Rehmannia Glutinosa
Avoid long-term and excessive consumption of cooked Rehmannia glutinosa.
If you want to avoid weight gain from eating cooked Rehmannia glutinosa, it is best not to consume it in large quantities for a long time. It is recommended to consume about 10-30 grams each time. If it is used for disease treatment and long-term consumption is required, it is advisable to use it in combination with other spleen-invigorating herbs such as Amomum villosum and tangerine peel under the guidance of a doctor, and stop taking it once the symptoms disappear.
What to Pay Attention to When Eating Cooked Rehmannia Glutinosa
1. Do not consume it with radish
Since radish has the effects of reducing qi and resolving food stagnation, consuming cooked Rehmannia glutinosa with radish may cause a reaction between the two ingredients, thereby reducing the efficacy of cooked Rehmannia glutinosa.
2. Do not consume it with "three whites"
"Three whites" refers to the white part of onion, garlic chives, and Chinese leek flower stalk. The "three whites" have dispersing and qi-moving effects, and consuming them together with cooked Rehmannia glutinosa will reduce its nourishing effects.
3. Avoid using iron utensils for decoction
The active ingredients in cooked Rehmannia glutinosa may react with iron products, which may reduce the efficacy of cooked Rehmannia glutinosa or produce harmful substances to human health. Therefore, it is recommended to avoid using iron utensils when decocting cooked Rehmannia glutinosa.
Who Should Not Eat Cooked Rehmannia Glutinosa
1. People with weak spleen and stomach
Since cooked Rehmannia glutinosa is sticky in nature and difficult to digest, people with weak spleen and stomach may have a heavier burden on their digestion if they consume it, leading to worsened symptoms such as abdominal distension, poor appetite, and loose stools. Therefore, it is not advisable for people with weak spleen and stomach to eat cooked Rehmannia glutinosa.
2. People with qi stagnation and phlegm accumulation
Since cooked Rehmannia glutinosa has a nourishing and sticky nature, it is not easily digested. Consuming it by people with qi stagnation and phlegm accumulation may worsen the symptoms of phlegm-dampness, such as chest tightness, excessive phlegm, rib pain, and slippery pulse. Therefore, it is not advisable for people with qi stagnation and phlegm accumulation to eat cooked Rehmannia glutinosa.
3. People with cold or flu
In traditional Chinese medicine, it is not advisable to tonify the body during a cold or flu, as it may cause the stagnation of pathogenic factors in the body, thereby exacerbating the symptoms or prolonging the duration of the illness. Cooked Rehmannia glutinosa happens to be a medicinal herb with strong nourishing effects, so it is not advisable for people with cold or flu to eat cooked Rehmannia glutinosa.
