Abdominal Fat in Traditional Chinese Medicine
Understanding different abdominal fat patterns according to TCM theory
Educational content • Consult qualified practitioners for medical advice
Condition Categories
Condition Categories
Abdominal fat, commonly referred to as belly fat, is a specific type of body fat located in the abdominal region. This includes both subcutaneous fat, which is situated beneath the skin, and visceral fat, which surrounds internal organs and can significantly impact health.
Synonyms for abdominal fat include abdominal obesity, excess stomach fat, and more colloquially, beer belly or potbelly. Recognizing its medical significance, especially as a component of overall obesity, is crucial for understanding its impact on health.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) offers a unique perspective on abdominal fat, viewing it not just as a cosmetic issue but as an indicator of underlying imbalances in the body's energy systems.
Unlike Western medicine, which primarily attributes abdominal fat to lifestyle factors, TCM considers it a symptom of disharmony within the body's internal organs, particularly the spleen and liver. TCM emphasizes that the treatment of abdominal fat requires identifying and addressing these underlying disharmonies.
TCM Patterns for Abdominal Fat
Each pattern represents a distinct underlying imbalance that can cause abdominal fat
Damp-Phlegm
Diagnostic signs
Slippery (Hua)
Swollen tongue with sticky white coating
Accompanying symptoms you may experience
Recommended herbal formulas
Damp-Phlegm
Diagnostic signs
Slippery (Hua)
Swollen tongue with sticky white coating
Accompanying symptoms you may experience
Recommended herbal formulas
Herbal Formulas for Abdominal Fat
Traditional Chinese Medicine formulas used to address abdominal fat