Belly fat according to Chinese Medicine
The information provided here is not a replacement for a doctor. You shouldn't use it for the purpose of self-diagnosing or self-medicating but rather so you can have a more informed discussion with a professional TCM practitioner.
Belly fat can be the consequence of several so-called “patterns of disharmony” in Chinese Medicine.
Chinese Medicine sees the body as a system, not a sum of isolated parts. A "pattern" is when the system's harmony is disrupted, leading to symptoms or signs that something is wrong (like belly fat here). It is similar to the concept of disease in Western Medicine but not quite: a Western disease can often be explained by several Chinese patterns and vice-versa.
A pattern often manifests itself in a combination of symptoms that, at first glance, do not seem necessarily related to each others. For instance here belly fat is often associated with oily skin, fatigue and nausea in the pattern “Damp-Phlegm”.
Once identified, patterns are treated using medicinal herbs, acupuncture, and other therapies. In the case of belly fat we’ve identified three herbal formulas that may help treat patterns behind the symptom.
We’ve also selected below the five medicinal herbs that we think are most likely to help treat belly fat.
Damp-Phlegm, a "pattern of disharmony" that can cause belly fat
In Chinese Medicine belly fat is a symptom for the pattern "Damp-Phlegm". Below is a small explanation for it with links for more details.
Crow-Dipper Rhizomes (Ban Xia) is the king ingredient for Er Chen Tang, a formula used for Damp-Phlegm
Damp-Phlegm
Pulse type(s): Slippery (Hua)
In addition to belly fat, other symptoms associated with Damp-Phlegm include oily skin, fatigue and nausea.
Damp-Phlegm is often treated with Er Chen Tang, a herbal formula made of 5 herbs (including Crow-Dipper Rhizomes - Ban Xia - as a key herb). Er Chen Tang belongs to the category of "formulas that dry dampness and transform phlegm", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Dries Damp and dispels Phlegm".
Three herbal formulas that might help with belly fat
Er Chen Tang
Source date: 1148 AD
Number of ingredients: 5 herbs
Key actions: Dries Damp and dispels Phlegm. Regulates Qi and harmonizes the Middle Burner (Stomach and Spleen).
Why might Er Chen Tang help with belly fat?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Damp-Phlegm' of which fat belly is a symptom.
Xiang Sha Liu Jun Zi Tang
Source date: 1675 AD
Number of ingredients: 9 herbs
Key actions: Tonifies Spleen and Stomach Qi. Removes Dampness. Moves Qi. Alleviates pain.
Why might Xiang Sha Liu Jun Zi Tang help with belly fat?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Damp-Phlegm' of which fat belly is a symptom.
Shen Qi Wan
Why might Shen Qi Wan help with belly fat?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Damp-Phlegm' of which fat belly is a symptom.
The five Chinese Medicinal herbs most likely to help treat belly fat
Why might Poria-Cocos Mushroom (Fu Ling) help with belly fat?
Because Poria-Cocos Mushroom is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat belly fat as a symptom, like Er Chen Tang or Xiang Sha Liu Jun Zi Tang for instance.
Poria-Cocos Mushrooms is a Neutral herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Heart, the Kidney, the Lung and the Spleen.
Its main actions are: Encourages urination and drains Dampness. Tonic to the Spleen/Stomach. Assists the Heart and calms the Spirit.
Why might Fresh Ginger (Sheng Jiang) help with belly fat?
Because Fresh Ginger is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat belly fat as a symptom, like Er Chen Tang or Xiang Sha Liu Jun Zi Tang for instance.
Fresh Ginger is a Warm herb that tastes Pungent. It targets the Lung, the Spleen and the Stomach.
Its main actions are: Relieves the Exterior and disperses Cold. Warms and circulates Qi in the Middle Burner. Calms a restless fetus and treats morning sickness. Treats seafood poisoning.
Why might Tangerine Peel (Chen Pi) help with belly fat?
Because Tangerine Peel is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat belly fat as a symptom, like Er Chen Tang or Xiang Sha Liu Jun Zi Tang for instance.
Tangerine Peel is a Warm herb that tastes Bitter and Pungent. It targets the Lung and the Spleen.
Its main actions are: Warms the Spleen and regulates the Middle Burner Qi. Dries Dampness and disperses Phlegm from the Lungs and Middle Burner. Reduces the potential for Stagnation caused by tonifying herbs.
Why might Crow-Dipper Rhizome (Ban Xia) help with belly fat?
Because Crow-Dipper Rhizome is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat belly fat as a symptom, like Er Chen Tang or Xiang Sha Liu Jun Zi Tang for instance.
Crow-Dipper Rhizomes is a Warm herb that tastes Pungent. It targets the Lung, the Spleen and the Stomach.
Its main actions are: Drains Dampness and reduces Phlegm. Reverses the flow of Rebellious Qi. Reduces hardenings and relieves distention.
Why might Liquorice (Gan Cao) help with belly fat?
Because Liquorice is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat belly fat as a symptom, like Er Chen Tang or Xiang Sha Liu Jun Zi Tang for instance.
Liquorice is a Neutral herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Heart, the Lung, the Spleen and the Stomach.
Its main actions are: Tonifies the Basal Qi and nourishes the Spleen Qi. Clears Heat and dispels toxicity. Moistens the Lungsexpel phlegm and stop coughing. Relieves spasms and alleviates pain. Harmonizes and moderates the effects of other herbs.
Other symptoms often associated with belly fat
Oily skin Fatigue Nausea Sticky taste in the mouth Obesity Swollen limbs Overweight