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.
Inability to digest fats 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 inability to digest fats 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 inability to digest fats is often associated with feeling of heaviness, jaundice and dull-yellow complexion in the pattern “Dampness in the Gallbladder”. As you will see below, we have in record two patterns that can cause inability to digest fats.
Once identified, patterns are treated using medicinal herbs, acupuncture, and other therapies. In the case of inability to digest fats we’ve identified two herbal formulas that may help treat patterns behind the symptom.
We’ve also selected below the four medicinal herbs that we think are most likely to help treat inability to digest fats.
The two "patterns of disharmony" that can cause inability to digest fats
In Chinese Medicine inability to digest fats is a symptom for 2 patterns that we have on record. Below is a small explanation for each of them with links for more details.
The Gallbladder is a so-called "Fu" Organ. Learn more about the Gallbladder in Chinese Medicine
Dampness in the Gallbladder
Pulse type(s): Slippery (Hua), Wiry (Xian)
In addition to inability to digest fats, other symptoms associated with Dampness in the Gallbladder include feeling of heaviness, jaundice and dull-yellow complexion.
Dampness in the Gallbladder is often treated with San Ren Tang, a herbal formula made of 8 herbs (including Apricot Seeds - Xing Ren - as a key herb). San Ren Tang belongs to the category of "formulas that clear heat and expel dampness", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Clears Damp-Heat".
The Gallbladder is a so-called "Fu" Organ. Learn more about the Gallbladder in Chinese Medicine
Damp-Heat in the Gallbladder
Pulse type(s): Rapid (Shu), Slippery (Hua), Wiry (Xian)
In addition to inability to digest fats, other symptoms associated with Damp-Heat in the Gallbladder include feeling of heaviness, hypochondrial distention and yellow complexion.
Damp-Heat in the Gallbladder is often treated with Yin Chen Hao Tang, a herbal formula made of 3 herbs (including Virgate Wormwood - Yin Chen - as a key herb). Yin Chen Hao Tang belongs to the category of "formulas that clear heat and expel dampness", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Clears heat".
Two herbal formulas that might help with inability to digest fats
San Ren Tang
Source date: 1798 AD
Number of ingredients: 8 herbs
Key actions: Clears Damp-Heat. Disseminates the Qi. Facilitates the Qi mechanisms.
Why might San Ren Tang help with inability to digest fats?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Dampness in the Gallbladder' of which inability to digest fats is a symptom.
Other symptoms characteristic of Dampness In The Gallbladder include feeling of heaviness, jaundice and dull-yellow complexion.
Yin Chen Hao Tang
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 3 herbs
Key actions: Clears heat. Resolves dampness. Reduces jaundice.
Why might Yin Chen Hao Tang help with inability to digest fats?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Damp-Heat in the Gallbladder' of which inability to digest fats is a symptom.
Other symptoms characteristic of Damp-Heat In The Gallbladder include feeling of heaviness, hypochondrial distention and yellow complexion.
The four Chinese Medicinal herbs most likely to help treat inability to digest fats
Why might Cardamon Fruit (Bai Dou Kou) help with inability to digest fats?
Because it is a key herb in San Ren Tang, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern 'Dampness in the Gallbladder' (a pattern with inability to digest fats as a symptom)
Cardamon Fruits is a Warm herb that tastes Pungent. It targets the Spleen, the Stomach and the Lung.
Its main actions are: Warms the Spleen and transforms Dampness. Invigorates Qi to remove Stomach and Spleen Qi Stagnation due to Dampness. Encourages appetite. Settles a restless fetus, stops morning sickness and prevents miscarriage. Used with tonifying herbs to prevent cloying and Stagnation.
Why might Virgate Wormwood (Yin Chen) help with inability to digest fats?
Because it is a key herb in Yin Chen Hao Tang, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern 'Damp-Heat in the Gallbladder' (a pattern with inability to digest fats as a symptom)
Virgate Wormwood is a Cool herb that tastes Bitter and Pungent. It targets the Gallbladder, the Spleen, the Stomach and the Liver.
Its main actions are: Drains Damp and clears Heat, especially from the Liver and Gallbladder. Eliminates Heat and relieves the Exterior. Relieve Jaundice.
Why might Apricot Seed (Xing Ren) help with inability to digest fats?
Because it is a key herb in San Ren Tang, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern 'Dampness in the Gallbladder' (a pattern with inability to digest fats as a symptom)
Apricot Seeds is a Warm herb that tastes Bitter and Sweet. It targets the Large intestine and the Lung.
Its main actions are: Stops cough and wheezing caused by either Heat or Cold. Lubricates the Intestines and relieves constipation.
Why might Job's Tears (Yi Yi Ren) help with inability to digest fats?
Because it is a key herb in San Ren Tang, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern 'Dampness in the Gallbladder' (a pattern with inability to digest fats as a symptom)
Job's Tears is a Cool herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Spleen, the Stomach and the Lung.
Its main actions are: Regulates water and encourages urination. Tonic to the Spleen and stops diarrhea caused by Spleen Deficiency. Reduces inflammation and eliminates pus. Dispels Wind-Damp Bi Pain. Expels Damp-Heat.
Other symptoms often associated with inability to digest fats
Feeling of heaviness Hypochondrial distention Yellow complexion Scanty and dark urine Fever Thirst without a desire to drink Bitter taste in the mouth Dizziness Tinnitus Irritability