In modern times, people often try to lose weight too quickly and want to slim down in the shortest possible time. Even if they manage to lose weight quickly, they often end up gaining it back soon after, leading to a tendency to easily gain weight in the long run. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) takes a different approach to weight loss by focusing on treating the internal organs according to individual constitution. TCM categorizes the main groups of people who are prone to obesity as follows:
1. Weak and lethargic individuals
Do you often feel low in energy and yawn frequently? Do you feel tired and listless even though it's still a few hours before the end of your workday? Office workers are most prone to this type of obesity due to their sedentary lifestyle. According to TCM, prolonged sitting and lack of physical activity can lead to poor circulation of Qi (energy) and blood, stagnation of the spleen and stomach functions, and the accumulation of fat and fluids. This can result in obesity.
Constitution type: Spleen deficiency with phlegm-dampness
Symptoms: Obesity, flabby muscles, heaviness in the head and chest, fatigue, lack of energy, tendency to sleepiness, occasional bloating, nausea, and loose stools.
Treatment: The treatment focuses on eliminating dampness and phlegm, and strengthening the spleen and Qi. The formula "Shen Ling Bai Zhu San" is commonly used. It consists of 30 grams of ginseng, 15 grams of white atractylodes, 15 grams of poria cocos, 7.5 grams of baked licorice, 60 grams of Chinese yam, 15 grams of hyacinth bean, 45 grams of coix seed, 30 grams of lotus seed, 12 grams of platycodon, 15 grams of amomum, 24 grams of alisma, and 15 grams of poria cocos. Grind all the herbs into a fine powder and take 5 grams three times a day.
Constitution type: Phlegm-dampness obstructing meridians
Symptoms: Obesity, chest tightness, shortness of breath, excessive daytime sleepiness or drowsiness, restless sleep at night, memory decline, occasional chest pain, irritability, and other symptoms.
Treatment: The treatment focuses on resolving phlegm, promoting circulation in the meridians, and activating blood flow. The formula "Er Chen Tang" is commonly used. It consists of 30 grams of dried tangerine peel, 15 grams of poria cocos, and 30 grams of pinellia ternata. Add 15 grams of polygala tenuifolia, 5 grams of rhizoma polygoni cuspidati, 5 grams of trichosanthes kirilowii, 30 grams of plantago asiatica, and 15 grams of coix seed. Grind all the herbs into a fine powder and take 5 grams three times a day.
To prevent weight regain, it is recommended to improve your constitution through dietary means. For example, drink more traditional Chinese herbal teas and eat nourishing meals to invigorate your spirits. Engage in physical activities and go outdoors for walks or shopping.
2. "Eating out" individuals
People who frequently eat out for all three meals are often referred to as "eating out" individuals. They tend to consume greasy and heavily flavored foods without realizing that they are eating too much. Those who have a preference for sweet and greasy foods also fall into this category. The accumulation of nutrients in the body turns into fat, and excessive food consumption can harm the spleen and stomach, leading to weakened digestive functions, internal damp-heat accumulation, and bloating and obesity.
Constitution type: Liver depression with dampness
Symptoms: Gradual weight gain, frequent irritability, depressed mood, insomnia, slow movement, chest and rib distension, dry mouth, bitter taste, occasional headaches, constipation, and short, yellow urine.
Treatment: The treatment focuses on soothing the liver, clearing heat, strengthening the spleen, and promoting dampness elimination. The formula "Da Chai Hu Tang" combined with "Wu Ling San" is commonly used. The combination consists of 30 grams of bupleurum, 7.5 grams of baked licorice, 30 grams of chuanxiong, 15 grams of aurantium, 15 grams of atractylodes, 30 grams of poria cocos, 15 grams of white atractylodes, 15 grams of poria cocos, 15 grams of cassia twig, 15 grams of coix seed, 15 grams of tangerine peel, and 15 grams of gardenia. Grind all the herbs into a fine powder and take 5 grams three times a day.
To prevent weight regain, follow the three "no" policy: avoid social gatherings involving food, do not host banquets, and do not accept dinner invitations. This will prevent the intake of excessive calories from others. Also, avoid constipation and ensure regular bowel movements. Maintaining regular metabolism is the key to preventing weight regain.
When your work schedule conflicts with normal daily routines, including regular meal times, it is important to monitor your daily calorie intake. As long as the total calorie intake matches your basal metabolic rate, you will not gain weight. If you consume 500 calories less than your basal metabolic rate every day, you can lose approximately 1 kilogram in two weeks. Therefore, even if you eat before bed, it is not a problem because the key to body weight lies in the balance between calorie intake and expenditure. However, irregular lifestyle can lower your body's metabolism. In such cases, it may be necessary to use medications that enhance blood circulation and metabolism, such as "Si Wu Tang" for nourishing the liver or "Liu Wei Di Huang Wan" for nourishing the kidneys. Acupuncture can also be used to enhance overall circulation and increase metabolism.
3. Daytime fatigue and nighttime laborers
Individuals who have busy work schedules, high levels of stress, or irregular lifestyles, such as medical personnel with alternating day and night shifts, news reporters, electronic industry workers, and factory workers, are most prone to this type of obesity. Chaotic and busy lifestyles can disrupt organ functions. After work or on holidays, people often eat and drink excessively to relieve stress. This leads to the accumulation of nutrients in the body, which is difficult to digest and results in stubborn obesity.
Constitution type: Stomach heat accumulation
Symptoms: Facial flushing, heat intolerance, dry mouth, constipation, strong appetite, feeling hungry easily, and uncontrollable overeating. TCM believes that the stomach is responsible for receiving and the spleen is responsible for digestion. Excessive food consumption can lead to "spleen stagnation," where nutrients are converted into fat deposits. Overeating can also lead to stomach heat, which causes hunger, creating a vicious cycle of continuous eating.
Treatment: The treatment focuses on strengthening the spleen, invigorating Qi, promoting water elimination, and reducing swelling. The formula "Qing Shen San" is commonly used. The formula consists of 500 grams of astragalus, 3 grams each of ginseng, poria cocos, licorice, dogwood fruit, and fresh ginger juice. Astragalus is the main ingredient, which is combined with dogwood fruit to consolidate vital energy. Grind all the herbs into a fine powder and take 1 gram three times a day.
Constitution type: Spleen and kidney deficiency
Symptoms: Relatively obese, aversion to cold, cold limbs, lower limb edema, palpitations, lumbosacral pain, pale red tongue, and thin white coating.
Treatment: The treatment focuses on tonifying the spleen and kidneys, and promoting water elimination. The formula "Ji Sheng Shen Qi Wan" is commonly used. The formula consists of 30 grams of cooked rehmannia, 30 grams of poria cocos, 60 grams of Chinese yam, 8 grams each of moutan bark, plantago asiatica, and plantain seed, 15 grams each of codonopsis pilosula and tangerine peel. Add 30 grams of ginseng and 30 grams of coix seed. Grind all the herbs into a fine powder and take 5 grams three times a day.
Constitution type: Liver and kidney yin deficiency
Symptoms: Frequent insomnia, vivid dreams, eye soreness and dryness, lumbosacral pain, tinnitus, dizziness, and dry stools.
Treatment: The treatment focuses on tonifying the liver and kidneys, and clearing heat and dampness. The formula "Ba Wei Di Huang Wan" with modifications is commonly used. The formula consists of 30 grams of baked prepared rehmannia, 45 grams of poria cocos, 45 grams of Chinese yam, 15 grams of aurantium, 15 grams of atractylodes, 30 grams of moutan bark, and 15 grams of poria cocos. Grind all the herbs into a fine powder and take 5 grams three times a day.
To prevent weight regain, adopt a "no three" policy: do not participate in social activities, do not host banquets, and do not accept dinner invitations. This will prevent excessive calorie intake from others. Also, avoid constipation and ensure regular bowel movements. This will maintain normal metabolism in the body, which is crucial for preventing weight regain.
When your work schedule conflicts with normal daily routines, including regular meal times, it is important to monitor your daily calorie intake. As long as the total calorie intake matches your basal metabolic rate, you will not gain weight. If you consume 500 calories less than your basal metabolic rate every day, you can lose approximately 1 kilogram in two weeks. Therefore, even if you eat before bed, it is not a problem because the key to body weight lies in the balance between calorie intake and expenditure. However, irregular lifestyle can lower your body's metabolism. In such cases, it may be necessary to use medications that enhance blood circulation and metabolism, such as "Si Wu Tang" for nourishing the liver or "Liu Wei Di Huang Wan" for nourishing the kidneys. Acupuncture can also be used to enhance overall circulation and increase metabolism.
