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.
Obesity 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 obesity 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 obesity is often associated with depression, pale face and poor appetite in the pattern “Spleen Qi Sinking”. As you will see below, we have in record two patterns that can cause obesity.
Once identified, patterns are treated using medicinal herbs, acupuncture, and other therapies. In the case of obesity 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 obesity.
The two "patterns of disharmony" that can cause obesity
In Chinese Medicine obesity 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 Spleen is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Spleen in Chinese Medicine
Spleen Qi Sinking
Pulse type(s): Weak (Ruo)
Tongue color: Pale
The causes and symptoms of Spleen Qi Sinking is quite similar to the ones of Spleen Qi Deficiency. It happens more to people who have unhealthy diet and eating habits, emotional stress, damp living environment or these have to stand up long hours.
In addition to obesity, other symptoms associated with Spleen Qi Sinking include depression, pale face and poor appetite.
Spleen Qi Sinking is often treated with Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang, a herbal formula made of 10 herbs (including Milkvetch Roots - Huang Qi - as a key herb). Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang belongs to the category of "formulas that tonify qi", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Tonifies Qi of the Spleen and Stomach (Middle Burner)".
Crow-Dipper Rhizomes (Ban Xia) is the king ingredient for Er Chen Tang, a formula used for Phlegm
Phlegm
Pulse type(s): Slippery (Hua), Wiry (Xian)
Tongue coating: Sticky coating, Thick coating
Tongue shape: Swollen
The concept of Phlegm is much wider and important in Chinese Medicine than in the West. Broadly speaking, Phlegm is a substance produced when the body fails to handle Body Fluids properly.
In addition to obesity, other symptoms associated with Phlegm include dizziness, depression and scanty periods.
From a Western Medicine standpoint Phlegm is associated with health issues such as Low Breast Milk Supply, Late Menstruation or Scanty Menstruation.
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 obesity
Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang
Source date: 1247
Number of ingredients: 10 herbs
Key actions: Tonifies Qi of the Spleen and Stomach (Middle Burner). Raises the Yang. Detoxifies. Lifts what has sunken.
Why might Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang help with obesity?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Spleen Qi Sinking' of which obesity is a symptom.
Other symptoms characteristic of Spleen Qi Sinking include depression, pale face and poor appetite.
Cang Fu Dao Tan Wan
Why might Cang Fu Dao Tan Wan help with obesity?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Phlegm' of which obesity is a symptom.
According to Chinese Medicine, Phlegm can contribute to many health issues, including Scanty Menstruation.
Xiong Gui Er Chen Tang
Source date: 1575 AD
Number of ingredients: 7 herbs
Key actions: Resolves Damp-Phlegm. Nourishes Blood.
Why might Xiong Gui Er Chen Tang help with obesity?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Phlegm' of which obesity is a symptom.
According to Chinese Medicine, Phlegm can contribute to many health issues, including Scanty Menstruation.
The five Chinese Medicinal herbs most likely to help treat obesity
Why might Fresh Ginger (Sheng Jiang) help with obesity?
Because Fresh Ginger is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat obesity as a symptom, like Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang or Cang Fu Dao Tan Wan for instance.
Fresh Ginger is a Warm herb that tastes Pungent. It targets the Spleen, the Stomach and the Lung.
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 Poria-Cocos Mushroom (Fu Ling) help with obesity?
Because Poria-Cocos Mushroom is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat obesity as a symptom, like Cang Fu Dao Tan Wan or Xiong Gui Er Chen Tang for instance.
Poria-Cocos Mushrooms is a Neutral herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Spleen, the Heart, the Kidney and the Lung.
Its main actions are: Encourages urination and drains Dampness. Tonic to the Spleen/Stomach. Assists the Heart and calms the Spirit.
Why might Tangerine Peel (Chen Pi) help with obesity?
Because Tangerine Peel is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat obesity as a symptom, like Xiong Gui Er Chen Tang or Wen Dan Tang for instance.
Tangerine Peel is a Warm herb that tastes Bitter and Pungent. It targets the Spleen and the Lung.
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 obesity?
Because Crow-Dipper Rhizome is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat obesity as a symptom, like Xiong Gui Er Chen Tang or Wen Dan Tang for instance.
Crow-Dipper Rhizomes is a Warm herb that tastes Pungent. It targets the Spleen, the Stomach and the Lung.
Its main actions are: Drains Dampness and reduces Phlegm. Reverses the flow of Rebellious Qi. Reduces hardenings and relieves distention.
Why might Atractylodes Rhizome (Bai Zhu) help with obesity?
Because Atractylodes Rhizome is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat obesity as a symptom, like Yue Ju Wan or Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang for instance.
Atractylodes Rhizomes is a Warm herb that tastes Bitter and Sweet. It targets the Spleen and the Stomach.
Its main actions are: Tonifies the Spleen Qi. Fortifies the Spleen Yang and dispels Damp through urination. Tonifies Qi and stops sweating. Calms restless fetus when due to Deficiency of Spleen Qi.
Conditions associated with obesity
Other symptoms often associated with obesity
Dizziness Tinnitus Night sweats Hot flushes Depression Scanty periods Sore back Dry skin Dry throat Pale face