Obesity in Traditional Chinese Medicine
Understanding different obesity patterns according to TCM theory
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Condition Categories
Condition Categories
Obesity is a medical condition characterized by an excess accumulation of body fat to the extent that it may have a negative impact on health. It is typically defined using the body mass index (BMI), where a BMI of 30 or above is classified as obese.
Obesity is more than just an issue of physical appearance; it is associated with various health risks, including heart disease, diabetes, and high blood pressure. It encompasses various forms of weight gain, including abdominal fat, and is a growing health concern worldwide.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) approaches obesity as a complex condition resulting from imbalances within the body. Unlike Western medicine, which often focuses on calorie intake and physical activity, TCM considers obesity a manifestation of disharmony in the body's natural energy flow or Qi.
TCM identifies different patterns of disharmony causing obesity and emphasizes the importance of individualized treatment to restore balance. This holistic approach encompasses diet, lifestyle, herbal remedies, and acupuncture.
TCM Patterns for Obesity
Phlegm
Causes: Obesity, Overweight, Fat belly
Damp-Phlegm
Obesity, Overweight, Fat belly
Along with: Profuse white sputum, Focal distention of the chest, Upper abdominal focal distention, Nausea, Sticky taste in the mouth, Absence of thirst, Swollen limbs, Abdominal fat
Damp-Phlegm in the Uterus
Overweight, Obesity
Along with: Late menstruation, Amenorrhea, Scanty menstruation, Lower abdominal pain, Abdominal heaviness, Stifling sensation in the chest, Generalized fatigue, Diarrhea, Dull pale complexion, Infertility, Ovarian cysts, Ovarian fibroids, Polycystic ovary syndrome, Pseudocyesis, Sputum, Feeling of heaviness
Phlegm
Obesity, Overweight
Along with: Stifling sensation in the chest, Head fog, Dizziness
Qi Deficiency
Causes: Obesity, Overweight
Spleen and Lung Qi Deficiency
Obesity
Along with: Loss of appetite, Slight abdominal distension after eating, Generalized fatigue, General weakness, Pale face, Weak limbs, Diarrhea, Shortness of breath, Coughing, Weak voice, Spontaneous sweat, Dislike of speaking, Frequent colds or flu, Aversion to cold
Spleen Qi Deficiency
Obesity, Overweight
Along with: Slight abdominal distension after eating, General weakness, Desire to lie down, Slight abdominal pain, Excessive gas and flatulence, Bloated abdomen, Dyspepsia, Swollen complexion
Dampness
Causes: Obesity, Overweight, Fat belly
Damp-Phlegm
Obesity, Overweight, Fat belly
Along with: Profuse white sputum, Focal distention of the chest, Upper abdominal focal distention, Nausea, Sticky taste in the mouth, Absence of thirst, Swollen limbs, Abdominal fat
Damp-Phlegm in the Uterus
Overweight, Obesity
Along with: Late menstruation, Amenorrhea, Scanty menstruation, Lower abdominal pain, Abdominal heaviness, Stifling sensation in the chest, Generalized fatigue, Diarrhea, Dull pale complexion, Infertility, Ovarian cysts, Ovarian fibroids, Polycystic ovary syndrome, Pseudocyesis, Sputum, Feeling of heaviness
Qi Sinking
Causes: Obesity, Overweight
Spleen Qi Sinking
Obesity, Overweight
Along with: Loss of appetite, Slight abdominal distension after eating
Herbal Formulas for Obesity
Traditional Chinese Medicine formulas used to address obesity
Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang
Addresses these obesity patterns:
Main Actions
- Tonifies Qi of the Spleen and Stomach (Middle Burner)
- Raises the Yang
- Detoxifies
- Lifts what has sunken
Addresses These Obesity Pattern Variations
Spleen and Lung Qi Deficiency
How it manifests:
Obesity
Accompanying symptoms:
Loss of appetite, Slight abdominal distension after eating, Generalized fatigue, General weakness, Pale face, Weak limbs...
Spleen Qi Sinking
How it manifests:
Obesity, Overweight
Accompanying symptoms:
Loss of appetite, Slight abdominal distension after eating
Damp-Phlegm in the Uterus
How it manifests:
Overweight, Obesity
Accompanying symptoms:
Late menstruation, Amenorrhea, Scanty menstruation, Lower abdominal pain, Abdominal heaviness, Stifling sensation in the chest...
Er Chen Tang
Addresses these obesity patterns:
Main Actions
- Dries Damp and dispels Phlegm
- Regulates Qi and harmonizes the Middle Burner (Stomach and Spleen)
Addresses These Obesity Pattern Variations
Damp-Phlegm
How it manifests:
Obesity, Overweight, Fat belly
Accompanying symptoms:
Profuse white sputum, Focal distention of the chest, Upper abdominal focal distention, Nausea, Sticky taste in the mouth, Absence of thirst...
Phlegm
How it manifests:
Obesity, Overweight
Accompanying symptoms:
Stifling sensation in the chest, Head fog, Dizziness
Xiang Sha Liu Jun Zi Tang
Addresses these obesity patterns:
Main Actions
- Tonifies Spleen and Stomach Qi
- Removes Dampness
- Moves Qi
- Alleviates pain
- Strengthens the Spleen and Harmonizes the Stomach,
Addresses These Obesity Pattern Variations
Damp-Phlegm
How it manifests:
Obesity, Overweight, Fat belly
Accompanying symptoms:
Profuse white sputum, Focal distention of the chest, Upper abdominal focal distention, Nausea, Sticky taste in the mouth, Absence of thirst...
Damp-Phlegm in the Uterus
How it manifests:
Overweight, Obesity
Accompanying symptoms:
Late menstruation, Amenorrhea, Scanty menstruation, Lower abdominal pain, Abdominal heaviness, Stifling sensation in the chest...
Jin Gui Shen Qi Wan
Addresses these obesity patterns:
Main Actions
- Tonifies and warms Kidney Yang
Addresses These Obesity Pattern Variations
Damp-Phlegm
How it manifests:
Obesity, Overweight, Fat belly
Accompanying symptoms:
Profuse white sputum, Focal distention of the chest, Upper abdominal focal distention, Nausea, Sticky taste in the mouth, Absence of thirst...
Cang Fu Dao Tan Wan
Addresses these obesity patterns:
Main Actions
- Resolves Dampness and Phlegm
Addresses These Obesity Pattern Variations
Damp-Phlegm in the Uterus
How it manifests:
Overweight, Obesity
Accompanying symptoms:
Late menstruation, Amenorrhea, Scanty menstruation, Lower abdominal pain, Abdominal heaviness, Stifling sensation in the chest...
Phlegm
How it manifests:
Obesity, Overweight
Accompanying symptoms:
Stifling sensation in the chest, Head fog, Dizziness
Wei Ling Tang
Addresses these obesity patterns:
Main Actions
- Promotes urination
- Warms the Yang
- Strengthens the Spleen
- Drains Dampness
- Promotes the movement of Qi
- Harmonizes the Stomach
Addresses These Obesity Pattern Variations
Damp-Phlegm in the Uterus
How it manifests:
Overweight, Obesity
Accompanying symptoms:
Late menstruation, Amenorrhea, Scanty menstruation, Lower abdominal pain, Abdominal heaviness, Stifling sensation in the chest...
Wan Dai Tang
Addresses these obesity patterns:
Main Actions
- Tonifies the Middle Burner
- Removes Dampness
- Stops vaginal discharge
- Strengthens the Spleen
Addresses These Obesity Pattern Variations
Damp-Phlegm in the Uterus
How it manifests:
Overweight, Obesity
Accompanying symptoms:
Late menstruation, Amenorrhea, Scanty menstruation, Lower abdominal pain, Abdominal heaviness, Stifling sensation in the chest...
Xiong Gui Er Chen Tang
Addresses these obesity patterns:
Main Actions
- Resolves Damp-Phlegm
- Nourishes Blood
Addresses These Obesity Pattern Variations
Damp-Phlegm in the Uterus
How it manifests:
Overweight, Obesity
Accompanying symptoms:
Late menstruation, Amenorrhea, Scanty menstruation, Lower abdominal pain, Abdominal heaviness, Stifling sensation in the chest...
Liu Jun Zi Tang
Addresses these obesity patterns:
Main Actions
- Tonifies Qi
- Strengthens the Spleen and Stomach
- Clears Phlegm and mucus
- Promotes appetite
Addresses These Obesity Pattern Variations
Phlegm
How it manifests:
Obesity, Overweight
Accompanying symptoms:
Stifling sensation in the chest, Head fog, Dizziness
Spleen and Lung Qi Deficiency
How it manifests:
Obesity
Accompanying symptoms:
Loss of appetite, Slight abdominal distension after eating, Generalized fatigue, General weakness, Pale face, Weak limbs...
Spleen Qi Deficiency
How it manifests:
Obesity, Overweight
Accompanying symptoms:
Slight abdominal distension after eating, General weakness, Desire to lie down, Slight abdominal pain, Excessive gas and flatulence, Bloated abdomen...
Yue Ju Wan
Addresses these obesity patterns:
Main Actions
- Promotes the movement of Qi
- Releases all types of Stagnation (Qi, Blood, Phlegm, Fire, Food and Dampness)
Addresses These Obesity Pattern Variations
Phlegm
How it manifests:
Obesity, Overweight
Accompanying symptoms:
Stifling sensation in the chest, Head fog, Dizziness
Si Jun Zi Tang
Addresses these obesity patterns:
Main Actions
- Tonifies Qi
- Strengthens the Spleen and Stomach
Addresses These Obesity Pattern Variations
Spleen and Lung Qi Deficiency
How it manifests:
Obesity
Accompanying symptoms:
Loss of appetite, Slight abdominal distension after eating, Generalized fatigue, General weakness, Pale face, Weak limbs...
Spleen Qi Deficiency
How it manifests:
Obesity, Overweight
Accompanying symptoms:
Slight abdominal distension after eating, General weakness, Desire to lie down, Slight abdominal pain, Excessive gas and flatulence, Bloated abdomen...
Wen Dan Tang
Addresses these obesity patterns:
Main Actions
- Clears Phlegm
- Clears Gallbladder
- Regulates Qi
- Harmonizes the Stomach
Addresses These Obesity Pattern Variations
Phlegm
How it manifests:
Obesity, Overweight
Accompanying symptoms:
Stifling sensation in the chest, Head fog, Dizziness
Fei Er Wan
Addresses these obesity patterns:
Main Actions
- Kills parasites
- Reduces accumulation
- Strengthens the Spleen
- Clears Heat
Addresses These Obesity Pattern Variations
Spleen Qi Deficiency
How it manifests:
Obesity, Overweight
Accompanying symptoms:
Slight abdominal distension after eating, General weakness, Desire to lie down, Slight abdominal pain, Excessive gas and flatulence, Bloated abdomen...
Ban Xia Hou Pu Tang
Addresses these obesity patterns:
Main Actions
- Regulates the flow of Qi,
- Clears Phlegm
- Treats esophageal spasm
- Descends Rebellious Qi
- Dissipates clumps
- Relieves Stagnation
Addresses These Obesity Pattern Variations
Phlegm
How it manifests:
Obesity, Overweight
Accompanying symptoms:
Stifling sensation in the chest, Head fog, Dizziness
Shen Ling Bai Zhu San
Addresses these obesity patterns:
Main Actions
- Augments the Qi
- Strengthens the Spleen
- Drains Dampness
- Stops diarrhea
Addresses These Obesity Pattern Variations
Spleen Qi Deficiency
How it manifests:
Obesity, Overweight
Accompanying symptoms:
Slight abdominal distension after eating, General weakness, Desire to lie down, Slight abdominal pain, Excessive gas and flatulence, Bloated abdomen...
Ban Xia Bai Zhu Tian Ma Tang
Addresses these obesity patterns:
Main Actions
- Dries and dissolves Phlegm
- Strengthens the Spleen
- Soothes the Liver and calms Liver Wind (antispasmodic)
- Clear Dampness
Addresses These Obesity Pattern Variations
Phlegm
How it manifests:
Obesity, Overweight
Accompanying symptoms:
Stifling sensation in the chest, Head fog, Dizziness
Hao Qin Qing Dan Tang
Addresses these obesity patterns:
Main Actions
- Clears Heat and relieves acute conditions of the Gallbladder
- Relieves acute Damp-Heat syndromes
- Resolves Phlegm
- Harmonizes the Stomach
Addresses These Obesity Pattern Variations
Phlegm
How it manifests:
Obesity, Overweight
Accompanying symptoms:
Stifling sensation in the chest, Head fog, Dizziness
Xing Su San
Addresses these obesity patterns:
Main Actions
- Clears Dry-Cold
- Disseminates the Lung Qi and relieves cough
- Transforms thin mucus
Addresses These Obesity Pattern Variations
Phlegm
How it manifests:
Obesity, Overweight
Accompanying symptoms:
Stifling sensation in the chest, Head fog, Dizziness