Abdominal Fataccording to TCM
Symptom family: Body Weight Issues
Parent symptom: Obesity
What is Abdominal Fat?
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.
How does TCM view Abdominal Fat?
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.
Root Causes of Abdominal Fat in TCM
In TCM, abdominal fat is often seen as a result of imbalances in the body's Qi and the accumulation of Damp-Phlegm. A common pattern associated with abdominal fat is Damp-Phlegm, where symptoms include a fat belly, profuse white sputum, and upper abdominal focal distention.
Another pattern is the dysfunction of the Spleen, leading to the accumulation of Dampness and resulting in increased belly fat. Addressing these root causes is essential in TCM for effective treatment of abdominal fat, and it involves not just diet and exercise but also herbal remedies and lifestyle adjustments.
Explore below more details about what might cause Abdominal fat according to TCM.
- By Syndrome
- Phlegm
- Dampness
Phlegm
In TCM "Phlegm" as a pattern of disharmony is a complex concept that extends beyond the physical manifestation of mucus. It represents a pathological factor that can disrupt the flow of Qi (vital energy) and blood, leading to various health issues. Phlegm in TCM is seen as a sticky, turbid substance arising from the body's inability to metabolize fluids properly, often due to a dysfunction of the spleen. It's not only associated with respiratory problems like cough and congestion but also with systemic issues. Symptoms can include a feeling of heaviness, mental cloudiness, dizziness, and in some cases, the formation of lumps or masses. Phlegm can even be "invisible," contributing to emotional disturbances like depression or stress. ... see more
Phlegm Patterns That Can Lead to Abdominal Fat
| Pattern Name | Relevant Symptoms | Relevant Formulas |
|---|---|---|
| Damp-Phlegm | Fat belly, Profuse white sputum, Focal distention of the chest, Upper abdominal focal distention, Nausea, Sticky taste in the mouth, Absence of thirst, Obesity, Swollen limbs, Abdominal fat... see more | Er Chen Tang | Xiang Sha Liu Jun Zi Tang | Shen Qi Wan |
Dampness
"Dampness" in TCM is a concept that describes a pattern of disharmony where the body accumulates excess moisture. Imagine the heavy, sticky feeling you get on a very humid day; that's similar to what dampness feels like internally. It can manifest as a sense of heaviness, bloating, sluggishness, or even a foggy mind. This condition is often thought to arise from environmental factors like living in a damp place, dietary habits that promote moisture in the body, or internal imbalances that hinder the body's ability to process fluids properly. In TCM, dampness can obstruct the normal flow of energy and fluids in the body, leading to various symptoms.... see more
Dampness Patterns That Can Lead to Abdominal Fat
| Pattern Name | Relevant Symptoms | Relevant Formulas |
|---|---|---|
| Damp-Phlegm | Fat belly, Profuse white sputum, Focal distention of the chest, Upper abdominal focal distention, Nausea, Sticky taste in the mouth, Absence of thirst, Obesity, Swollen limbs, Abdominal fat... see more | Er Chen Tang | Xiang Sha Liu Jun Zi Tang | Shen Qi Wan |
TCM Herbal Formulas for Abdominal Fat
In treating abdominal fat, TCM relies on specific formulas and herbs that target the underlying patterns of disharmony. For the Damp-Phlegm pattern, Er Chen Tang, which includes Crow-Dipper Rhizomes, is recommended to dry Dampness and transform Phlegm.
Xiang Sha Liu Jun Zi Tang is another formula used, particularly effective in strengthening the Spleen and dispelling Phlegm, thanks to key herbs like Ginseng. These treatments focus not just on reducing abdominal fat but also on restoring balance and enhancing the overall vitality of the body.
Explore below some TCM herbal formulas used to address abdominal fat, organized by cause and by formula type.
- By Cause
- By Formula Type
- Phlegm
- Dampness
- Formulas that dry dampness and transform phlegm
- Formulas that dispel phlegm
- Formulas that warm yang and tonify
Top Formula for Phlegm:
Er Chen Tang
Suitable for Phlegm patterns that may cause abdominal fat, such as Damp-Phlegm
Learn moreAll Formulas Recommended for Abdominal Fat Caused by Phlegm
| Formula | Patterns Suitable For |
|---|---|
| Er Chen Tang | Damp-Phlegm |
| Xiang Sha Liu Jun Zi Tang | Damp-Phlegm |
| Shen Qi Wan | Damp-Phlegm |
Top Formula for Dampness:
Er Chen Tang
Suitable for Dampness patterns that may cause abdominal fat, such as Damp-Phlegm
Learn moreAll Formulas Recommended for Abdominal Fat Caused by Dampness
| Formula | Patterns Suitable For |
|---|---|
| Er Chen Tang | Damp-Phlegm |
| Xiang Sha Liu Jun Zi Tang | Damp-Phlegm |
| Shen Qi Wan | Damp-Phlegm |
Formulas that dry Dampness and transform Phlegm
These formulas are suitable for some abdominal fat-causing patterns like Damp-Phlegm.
One such formula is Er Chen Tang, with crow-dipper rhizome as a key herb.
Formulas that dispel Phlegm
These formulas are suitable for some abdominal fat-causing patterns like Damp-Phlegm.
One such formula is Xiang Sha Liu Jun Zi Tang, with ginseng as a key herb.
Formulas that warm Yang and tonify
These formulas are suitable for some abdominal fat-causing patterns like Damp-Phlegm.
One such formula is Shen Qi Wan, with prepared aconite as a key herb.
TCM Herbs for Abdominal Fat
Explore below some TCM herbs used to address abdominal fat, organized by herb category.
- By Herb Category
- Warm herbs that transform phlegm and stop cough
- Herbs that regulate qi
- Tonic herbs for qi deficiency
- Herbs that warm the interior and/or expel cold
- Warm/Acrid herbs that release the exterior
Warm herbs that transform Phlegm and stop Cough
Abdominal fat can be treated by these herbs when it results from phlegm due to cold deficiency, aiming to warm the lungs and dissolve phlegm accumulation.
One such herb is Crow-Dipper Rhizomes (Ban Xia), a key herb in some formulas recommended for abdominal fat, like Er Chen Tang.
Herbs that regulate Qi
Abdominal fat can be treated by these herbs when resulting from Qi stagnation or imbalance, helping to promote the smooth flow of Qi in the body.
One such herb is Tangerine Peel (Chen Pi), a key herb in some formulas recommended for abdominal fat, like Er Chen Tang.
Tonic herbs for Qi Deficiency
Abdominal fat can be treated by these herbs when stemming from a lack of vital energy or Qi, helping to boost energy and overall vitality.
One such herb is Ginseng (Ren Shen), a key herb in some formulas recommended for abdominal fat, like Xiang Sha Liu Jun Zi Tang.
Herbs that warm the Interior and/or expel Cold
Abdominal fat can be treated by these herbs if it is due to internal coldness or deficient Yang energy, working to warm the body and dispel cold.
One such herb is Prepared Aconite (Zhi Fu Zi), a key herb in some formulas recommended for abdominal fat, like Shen Qi Wan.
Warm/Acrid herbs that release the Exterior
Abdominal fat can be treated by these herbs when there is a need to dispel external cold and warm the body, especially in cases where there is insufficient Yang energy internally.
One such herb is Cinnamon Twigs (Gui Zhi), a key herb in some formulas recommended for abdominal fat, like Shen Qi Wan.