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.
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
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".
The top herbs in Er Chen Tang are Crow-Dipper Rhizomes (Ban Xia), Tangerine Peel (Chen Pi) and Poria-Cocos Mushrooms (Fu Ling)
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).
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Damp-Phlegm' of which fat belly is a symptom.
The top herbs in Xiang Sha Liu Jun Zi Tang are Ginseng (Ren Shen), Atractylodes Rhizomes (Bai Zhu) and Poria-Cocos Mushrooms (Fu Ling)
Source date: 1675 AD
Number of ingredients: 9 herbs
Key actions: Tonifies Spleen and Stomach Qi. Removes Dampness. Moves Qi. Alleviates pain.
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Damp-Phlegm' of which fat belly is a symptom.
The top herbs in Shen Qi Wan are Prepared Aconite (Zhi Fu Zi), Cinnamon Twigs (Gui Zhi) and Prepared Rehmannia (Shu Di huang)
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Damp-Phlegm' of which fat belly is a symptom.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Oily skin Fatigue Nausea Sticky taste in the mouth Obesity Swollen limbs Overweight