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TCM Principles for Weight Loss
In
TCM, no matter what therapeutic approach is applied, there are always
guidelines behind it. These basic principles are derived from
different diagnostic theories, such as the eight principles or organs
(zang fu) theory. According to the TCM understanding of obesity, the
underlying principles for weight loss treatment are:
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1. Harmonize the stomach to promote fat digestion
A
majority of obese people consume an excess amount of greasy foods
such as sweet cakes and fried meats. The stomach will have trouble digesting
these foods, and thus they will be detained in it. Symptoms such as
distention in the gastric and abdominal areas, backward flow of
stomach contents into the mouth, foul breath and a greasy coating
on the tongue may be present. Herbs like hawthorn, malt and radish
(seed) can be used to promote the secretion of digestive fluids and
help the digestion of fatty materials in the stomach.
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Hawthorn
helps promote digestion.
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2. Activate the blood to remove the stasis
High
levels of lipids (fats) in the blood that lead to sclerosis of
blood vessels are regarded as a phenomenon of blood stasis in TCM.
Methods of activating the blood flow and removing blood stasis not
only promote the blood flow, they can also help to lower the lipid
content in the blood and decelerate the sclerosis process. Herbs
most commonly used in this way are Chinese angelica, Szechuan
lovage, red sage root, red peony root and notoginseng.
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Chinese
angelica helps promote blood flow.
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3. Relieve chest stuffiness to eliminate phlegm
From
a TCM viewpoint, fatty tissue is a kind of turbid phlegm. The
excessive phlegm associated with obesity leads to shortness of
breath during exercise, chest oppression and dizziness. In more
severe conditions, when both phlegm and heat evils accumulate,
individuals will present with an impulsive, easily provoked temper,
high blood pressure, a distending headache and insomnia. A yellow and
greasy fur usually covers the tongue. Herbs like trichosanthes (gua
lou), Chinese chive bulbs, peel of various citrus fruit, mandarin
orange peel and trifolicate orange enhance the lungs to disseminate
and liquefy the phlegm evils.
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Trichosanthes
(gua lou) helps the lungs get rid of phlegm evils.
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4. Remove the stagnation of the liver and gall
bladder
The
liver plays an important role in qi (vital energy) circulation, as
well as the enhancement of food digestion and blood flow. The gall
bladder secretes bile and aids in the digestive process. Proper
functioning of the liver and the gall bladder assists the break
down of fat. Herbs most commonly used to assist this process include
capillary Artemisia (yin chen), zedoary rhizome(e zhu), turmeric
(jiang huang) and cassia seed (jue ming zi). This type of treatment
is effective for individuals who suffer from a fatty liver and gall
stones.
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Capillary
Artemisia (yin chen) helps with proper functioning of the liver
and breakdown of fats.
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5. Induce diuresis (excretion of urine) and
eliminate
dampness
Obesity
involves the disorder of fluid metabolism. When there is dysfunction
of distribution or excretion of body fluids, symptoms can present
such as swollen eyelids, edema (retention of fluid in the tissues),
obesity or other conditions. Inducing diuresis (excretion of urine)
is a direct way to promote the elimination of excessive dampness.
Herbs most commonly used in this way are wax gourd, water-plantain
(ze xie), Indian bread and plantain seed.
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Trichosanthes (gua lou) helps the
lungs get rid of phlegm evils.
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6. Induce purgation by promoting bowel
movements
An
obese body gathers too much turbid waste and fatty tissues. The large
intestine is usually under-functioning and constipation can also add
to the problem. Promoting regular bowel movements reinforce excretion
and eliminate body wastes. Herbs commonly used to promote regular
bowel movements are rhubarb, bushy knotweed (hu zhang) and
fleeceflower root (shou wu).
The
above principles aim to expel excessive evils contributing to
obesity. Several principles are usually combined in real practice.
However, if individuals are under-functioning in the spleen and
kidneys, then tonifying treatments should be considered. They help to
build up the qi (vital energy) inside the body as well as facilitate
expelling evils.
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Trichosanthes (gua lou) helps the
lungs get rid of phlegm evils.
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