II. Classic Herbal Preparations for Weight Loss
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| Many patent Chinese medicines are modified from the classic preparations. |
TCM believes Chinese medicine possesses certain properties and that every medicinal substance has its strengths and its shortcomings. Chinese preparations are complex recipes combined according to particular TCM theories. Medicinal substances (usually herbs) are carefully balanced in quality and quantity, in order to accentuate its health restorative actions while reducing side effects. TCM has a lot of experience with obesity. Classic herbal preparations dealing with this problem have been handed down for centuries and can be used in addition to the above functional food recommendations. Today, many popular patent Chinese medicine products have been modified from these classic old formulas. It is important to consult a qualified TCM physician to help you select the most appropriate formula.
1. Decoction of Fangji and Huangqi ( )
Therapeutic effect: To replenish the qi (vital energy) by tonifying the spleen; to relieve edema by inducing diuresis (elimination of urine).
Prescription:
| Fang zi |
Fangchi |
| Huang qi |
Milk-vetch root |
| Bai shu |
Large head atractylodes root |
| Zhi gan cao |
Liquorice root (processed with honey) |
| Sheng jiang |
Fresh ginger |
| Da zao |
Jujube (Chinese date) |
In this prescription, the main ingredients are fangchi and milk-vetch root. They tonify the spleen and promote diuresis in a synergistic way. Large head atractylodes root assists the active ingredients and relieves minor symptoms. The liquorice root, fresh ginger and jujube act as buffers. This preparation is appropriate for obesity due to poor spleen functioning and dampness accumulation.
2. Decoction of Dachaihu ( )
Therapeutic effect: To regulate the liver function and eliminate evils by enhancing bowel movements.
Prescription:
| Chai hu |
Hare's ear (root) |
| Huang qin |
Baical skullcap |
| Shao yao |
Peony |
| Ban xia |
Pinella tuber |
| Zhi shi |
Immature orange fruit |
| Da huang |
Rhubarb |
| Shang jiang |
Fresh ginger |
| Da zao |
Jujube (Chinese date) |
In this prescription, hare's ear and baical skullcap regulate the liver and gall-bladder to soothe the qi (vital energy) and improve blood flow; they act as the main ingredients. Immature orange fruit and rhubarb helps to eliminate the excessive heat evils in the large intestine and stomach. Pinella tuber, peony, jujube and fresh ginger are used to counteract the side effects of the main ingredients or act like buffers. This prescription is generally used for obesity due to excess (shi) syndromes.
3. Decoction of Taohe for Purgation ( )
Therapeutic effect: To activate the blood and remove stasis by lubricating the bowel and promoting bowel movements.
Prescription:
| Tao ren |
Peach (kernel) |
| Da huang |
Rhubarb |
| Gui zhi |
Cassia twig |
| Zhi gan cao |
Liquorice root (processed with honey) |
| Mang xiao |
Sodium sulfate |
In this prescription, peach and rhubarb can eliminate the excessive heat and relieve blood stasis through evacuation of the bowel. The cassia twig and sodium sulfate are used to enhance rhubarb's actions. The cassia twig and liquorice root act as buffers. This prescription is used for obesity due to excess (shi) syndrome accompanied by serious constipation.
4. Bolus of Hemp ( )
Therapeutic effect: To lubricate the intestines; expel excessive heat evils; promote the qi (vital energy) flow and accelerate bowel movement.
Prescription:
| Ma zi ren |
Hemp (seed) |
| shao yao |
Peony |
| Zhi shi |
Immature orange fruit |
| Da huang |
Rhubarb |
| Hou po |
Magnolia bark |
| Xing ren |
Apricot (kernel) |
In this prescription, the hemp and peony lubricate the intestines and nourish the spleen-yin at the same time. The apricot nourishes and enhances the large intestine. The orange fruit, rhubarb and magnolia bark expel the excessive evils in the gastrointestinal tract and help to relieve accumulation such as dampness phlegm and waste products in the abdomen. This is used for obesity due to over consumption of heavy and greasy foods.
5. Decoction of Fangfeng for Dispersing the Superficies ( )
Therapeutic effect: To expel the evils by perspiration and evacuation.
Prescription:
| Fang feng |
Fangfeng |
| Ma huang |
Ephedra |
| Jing jie |
Fineleaf Schizonepeta herb |
| Bo he |
Peppermint |
| Lian qiao |
Forsythia |
| Jie geng |
Balloon flower |
| Chuan xiong |
Szechuan lovage |
| Dang gui |
Chinese angelica root |
| Bai shu |
Large head atractylodes root |
| Zhi zi |
Gardenia |
| Da huang |
Rhubarb |
| Mang xiao |
Sodium sulfate |
| Shi gao |
Gypsum |
| Huang qin |
Baical skullcap |
| Hua shi |
Talc (soapstone) |
| Gan cao |
Liquorice root |
| Bai shao |
White peony root |
In the prescription, the fangfeng, ephedra, Schizonepeta herb and peppermint are used to promote perspiration in the body surface. The rhubarb and sodium sulfate promote bowel movement: gardenia and talc induce urination. All these ingredients enhance the expelling of excessive evils outside the body. The balloon flower, gypsum, baical skullcap and forsythia assist the above actions. The Chinese angelica root, Szechuan lovage, peony, large head atractylodes root and liquorice root counteract the side effects of the active ingredients. Overall, it provides perspiration, diuresis and diarrhea actions that can effectively eliminate the pathological conditions in obesity. On the other hand, it also protects against the damage caused by those ingredients that have aggressive actions.
6. Decoction for Invigorating the Spleen ( )
Therapeutic effect: To warm the kidney-yang and invigorate the spleen, promote qi (vital energy) flow and facilitate fluid passage.
Prescription:
| Hou po |
Magnolia bark |
| Bai shu |
Large head atractylodes root |
| Mu gua |
Papaya |
| Cao guo ren |
Tsaoko cardamom (seed) |
| Da fu pi |
Betel (husk) |
| Fu zi |
Monkshood |
| Bai fu ling |
Indian bread |
| Gan jiang |
Fried ginger |
| Gan cao |
Liquorice root |
In the prescription, the large head atractylodes root and Indian bread invigorate the spleen directly: the fried ginger and tsaoko cardamom reinforce the spleen by adding a warming effect, and the monkshood can tonify the kidney-yang. As a result, these ingredients smooth the distribution and excretion of the body fluid, and also facilitate expelling dampness evils. The betel and magnolia bark promote qi (vital energy) flow, which enhance the main ingredients. The papaya and liquorice root are used to counteract the side effects or act as buffers. This prescription is for obesity due to yang deficiency of spleen and kidney accompanied by dampness accumulation and qi (vital energy) stagnation inside the body.
7. Powder of Lotus leaf ( )
Therapeutic effect: To eliminate edema and break down the lipids (fats).
Prescription:
| Jiao he ye |
Charred lotus leaf |
| Jing mi |
Non-glutinous rice (unprocessed) |
This prescription is effective for obesity accompanied with high blood pressure and hyperlipidemia (excessive total fat in the blood). |
