14. Clinically Proven Weight Loss Secrets (Part 5): Er Chen Jianmei Drink and Single-Ingredient Goji Berry Tea

34. Er Chen Jianmei Drink

Indications: Spleen deficiency and dampness-induced obesity.

The formula consists of: 6 grams each of stir-fried Atractylodes lancea and Atractylodes macrocephala, 9 grams of prepared Pinellia ternata, 6 grams of dried tangerine peel, 15 grams of Poria cocos, 9 grams of black soybean peel, 12 grams of raw Coix lacryma-jobi, 3 grams of Acorus tatarinowii, 9 grams of bamboo shavings, 15 grams of lotus leaf, and 3 grams of Tetrapanax papyriferus stem.

Explanation: Most traditional medical texts believe that obese people are physically robust but lack Qi, and are prone to dampness and phlegm. Qi deficiency (mainly spleen deficiency) is the root cause, while phlegm and dampness are the symptoms. The main treatment principle is to resolve and eliminate phlegm, with warming the gallbladder and guiding phlegm as the main prescriptions. The prescriptions are modified according to the symptoms. In addition, based on the saying that "taking lotus leaf ash will make one thin and weak," lotus leaves are used to eliminate fat.

Typical Case: Ms. Dong, 38 years old. She had gradually gained weight over the past 5 years, reaching 88 kg. Her tongue coating was thin and slightly purplish, and her pulse was deep and slippery. She was initially prescribed the above formula to invigorate the spleen, dry dampness, and resolve phlegm. Later, due to persistent, sticky coughing, the formula was modified by adding 9g of prepared Pinellia ternata, 12g of Poria cocos, 5g of Citrus reticulata peel, 9g of stir-fried Citrus aurantium, 6g of bamboo shavings, 4g of weathered Glauber's salt (to be taken separately), 12g of whole Trichosanthes kirilowii fruit, 12g of Cannabis sativa seed, 5g of Fritillaria cirrhosa, 6g of peach kernel, 3g of Acorus tatarinowii, and 15g of lotus leaf. After taking 24 doses, her weight dropped to 76.5 kg, and her symptoms largely disappeared.

Prescription source: Clinical experience in treating obesity, Zhou Xiaozhai, Jiangsu Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 1980(5)20.

35. Health and Beauty Slimming Tea

Indications: Hyperlipidemia and simple obesity.

Formula composition: hawthorn, malt, tangerine peel, poria, alisma, medicated leaven, stir-fried pharmacodactylis, red adzuki bean, radish seed, prunella vulgaris, cassia seed, agastache rugosa, tea.

Dosage and administration: Take 6-12 grams daily for 15 days as one course of treatment.

Explanation: This formula is suitable for elderly people with obesity and hyperlipidemia. It has the effects of promoting digestion, relieving stagnation, diuresis, removing dampness, and lowering blood lipids. Clinical studies have shown that this tea can significantly reduce β-lipoprotein in the blood, while also reducing blood pressure and weight to varying degrees.

Prescription source: Interesting talk about weight loss Yan Jiming, Shaanxi Correspondence Course in Traditional Chinese Medicine, 1986(5)57.

36. Goji Berry Tea

Indications: Simple obesity.

Usage and dosage: Take 30 grams of wolfberries daily, brewed as tea. Take in the morning and evening.

Explanation: Goji berries contain a large amount of nutrients, such as carotene, vitamins B₂, B₆, C, and niacin. They can participate in the conversion of fat into energy, reducing fat when the body releases energy.

Example prescription: After 5 patients took the medication for 1 month, 2 male patients lost 2.6 kg and 2.8 kg respectively; 3 female patients lost 3 kg, 2.9 kg and 2.7 kg respectively. After 4 months of continuous use, the weight of all patients in this group returned to the normal range.

Typical case: Zhao XX, female, 38 years old, 160 cm tall, 70 kg in weight. After taking wolfberry for 1 month, her weight decreased by 3 kg. After taking it for 4 consecutive months, her weight dropped to 60 kg.

Prescription source: Single-ingredient wolfberry can treat obesity. Jing Huxiu, New Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 1988(7)37.

37. Lose weight and lose weight

Indications: Hyperlipidemia and obesity (especially effective for patients with hypertension).

The prescription consists of nine Chinese herbs, including Bupleurum, Codonopsis, and Poria.

Example of prescription: Among 357 cases in 7 hospitals, the overall effective rate was 86%. Among 167 obese patients with hypertension, the effective rate of blood pressure reduction after taking the medicine was 14.9%.

Prescription source: Weight loss blessing, Zhejiang Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 1986(10)478. Developed by the Fourth Military Medical University.

38. Light Body Drink No. II

Indications: Simple obesity.

The formula consists of senna leaves, alisma, hawthorn, etc.

Usage and dosage: Decocted in water and taken orally, 100-150 ml daily, divided into two doses, for one month as a course of treatment. Generally, one course of treatment is effective. If there is no effect, multiple courses of treatment can be continued.

Explanation: The main function of this formula is to clear stomach heat, promote diuresis and eliminate dampness, and assist the spleen in its function, thereby eliminating the accumulated fat and dampness in the body and thus making the body feel lighter.

Typical case: Cui XX, male, 52 years old, after 3 months of medication, his weight decreased by 8.5 kg and his abdominal circumference decreased by 6 cm.

Prescription source: Four case studies on weight loss, Wang Yufen, Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 1986(11)21.

39. Tianyan Slimming Tea

Indications: Simple obesity.

Formula composition: lotus leaf, plantain, and other lipid-lowering and diuretic herbs.

Usage and Dosage: The above-mentioned herbs are prepared as tea bags. Take 1-2 bags each time, 2-3 times daily, steeped in 200 ml of boiling water. Take half an hour before meals, and continue to drink as tea as needed. If nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, or frequent diarrhea occur after taking the medicine, start with an appropriate dose, reducing the dosage and frequency, and gradually increasing to the therapeutic dose after about one week. The course of treatment is 30 days. Suitable for patients with fatigue, lower limb edema, constipation, pale and swollen tongue with a thin white coating, indicating qi deficiency and dampness.

Explanation: Tianyan slimming tea is a slimming medicine that primarily treats the symptoms by lowering lipids and promoting diuresis. Traditional Chinese medicine believes that spleen deficiency and impaired digestion are the main pathogenesis of obesity caused by qi deficiency and dampness, which manifests as edema, obesity, fatigue, and heaviness in the limbs. Therefore, the treatment principle should be to promote diuresis and clear the bowels to eliminate phlegm and dampness, thus treating the symptoms.

Example prescription: After being administered to 107 patients, the significant efficacy rate was 39%, the effective rate was 52%, and the total effective rate was 91%. After 30 days of medication, the average weight loss was 1.53 kg.

Prescription source: Clinical observation of the efficacy of Tianyan slimming tea in treating 227 cases of simple obesity. Han Mingxiang, Journal of Anhui University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 1989(2)21-23.

40. Weight Loss and Fat Reduction Fun

Indications: Simple obesity.

The formula consists of herbs such as Polygonum multiflorum, Astragalus membranaceus, Prunella vulgaris, and winter melon peel, which are used to invigorate qi and nourish yin, clear heat and promote diuresis. The formula is prepared as a dry extract powder.

Dosage and administration: Take 0.5 to 1 packet each time, 2 to 3 times a day, half an hour before meals, dissolved in 200 ml of boiling water.

Explanation: This product is suitable for patients with symptoms such as dry mouth, bitter taste, increased appetite, constipation, dizziness, sweating, limb edema, fatigue, red tongue with yellow coating, and deficiency of both Qi and Yin, with excessive stomach fire. It is a weight-loss drug that tonifies Qi, nourishes Yin, clears heat, and promotes diuresis, treating both the symptoms and the root cause. The *Suwen* (Plain Questions) states, "Obesity causes internal heat, and sweetness causes fullness in the middle Jiao." This is the main pathogenesis of obesity due to excess heat. Therefore, the treatment principle should be to promote diuresis and clear the bowels to eliminate phlegm and dampness, thus treating the symptoms, and to tonify Qi and strengthen the spleen to transport and transform fluids, thus treating the root cause. For those with excess heat, the heat should be cleared; for those with severe heat damaging Yin, Yin should be tonified; and for those with phlegm and dampness stagnation, diuresis and phlegm elimination should be used to remove stagnation.

Example prescription: After being taken by 120 people, 40 people showed significant effect, 54 people showed effect, and the total effective rate was 94%.

Prescription source: Clinical observation of the efficacy of Tianyan slimming tea in treating 227 cases of simple obesity. Han Mingxiang, Journal of Anhui University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 1989(2)21-23.

41. Tangerine Peel and Pinellia Powder

Indications: Simple obesity (phlegm-dampness type obesity).

The formula consists of: dried tangerine peel, pinellia tuber, poria cocos, coix seed, atractylodes lancea, atractylodes macrocephala, areca peel, plantain seed, cypress seed, lotus leaf, and jasmine tea.

Dosage and administration: Take one dose daily, twice a day, morning and evening. The course of treatment is 3 months.

Explanation: This formula is a damp-drying agent. Its function is to dry dampness and promote urination. This formula is based on Er Chen Tang (Two-Ingredient Decoction) with added damp-draining and diuretic herbs to enhance its diuretic effect. Initially, there may be increased urination, which is a sign of its effectiveness; with continued use, urination will gradually decrease. If excessive urination persists, 20 grams of Ophiopogon japonicus can be added to stop it.

Example prescription: 12 patients took the medication, and after 9 to 10 weeks, 9 of them showed improvement, with an average weight loss of 0.5 to 4 kg.

Prescription source: Bodybuilding and Obesity, 1984, 134.

42. Er Chen Weight Loss Powder

Indications: Simple obesity (dampness-induced spleen deficiency type).

The formula consists of: dried tangerine peel, pinellia, poria, coix seed, atractylodes, white atractylodes, areca peel, plantain, alisma, winter melon peel, cyperus, arborvitae seed, and bracken.

Dosage and administration: Take one dose daily, once in the morning and once in the evening.

Explanation: This formula dries dampness, strengthens the spleen, promotes diuresis, and reduces swelling. It is a modified version of Er Chen Tang, using tangerine peel and pinellia to dry dampness and resolve phlegm, supplemented with poria, atractylodes macrocephala, and coix seed to strengthen the spleen and promote diuresis, alisma, areca peel, winter melon peel, and bracken fern to promote diuresis, and cyperus to regulate qi. Together, they achieve the effect of removing dampness and reducing weight.

Example prescription: Effective treatment was achieved in 2 cases of obesity. This prescription is from "Bodybuilding and Obesity".

43. Seven-Eliminating Pill

Indications: Simple obesity.

The formula consists of: Rehmannia glutinosa, Prunus mume, Chaenomeles speciosa, Paeonia lactiflora, and Adenophora stricta.

Dosage and administration: Take 2 pills daily, 1 pill in the morning and 1 pill in the evening. Take with warm water. During medication, the amount of staple food should remain unchanged, but for those who eat excessively, have aggravated their eating habits, or whose weight is significantly above the standard, it is emphasized that they should eat regularly and in fixed quantities, and should not increase their food intake further. Some patients may increase the dosage to 3 pills daily.

Explanation: According to the basic theories of Traditional Chinese Medicine, the liver (wood element) corresponds to spring and governs the body's vital energy (qi) of growth and development. Excessive growth of liver qi can lead to obesity and overweight. Papaya, white peony root, and dried plum are sour herbs that drain liver qi. North American ginseng strengthens the liver's metal element and descends its energy to control the excessive growth of liver qi. Rehmannia root and white peony root nourish yin and soften the liver.

Example prescription: Among 125 patients who took Qixiao Pills, 56 cases underwent treatment for 1-3 months, 30 cases for 1-6 months, 18 cases for 1-9 months, and 21 cases for more than 10 months. After treatment, 65 cases (52%) showed significant improvement, 37 cases (29.6%) showed improvement, and 23 cases (18.4%) showed no effect. The overall effective rate was 81.6%, with an average weight loss of 3.53 kg and a maximum weight loss of 24 kg.

Prescription source: Seven-Xiao Pill for the treatment of simple obesity, Tianjin Medical College Affiliated Hospital, Tianjin Medical Journal, 1985(8)472.

44. Modified Jisheng Shenqi Wan and Er Chen Tang

Indications: Hyperlipidemia and obesity.

The formula consists of: Poria cocos 15g, Dioscorea opposita 15g, Alisma plantago-aquatica 12g, Paeonia suffruticosa 6g, Cornus officinalis 10g, Rehmannia glutinosa 15g, Aconitum carmichaelii 15g, Cinnamomum cassia 2g, Plantago asiatica 30g, Achyranthes bidentata 15g, Pinellia ternata 10g, Citrus reticulata peel 10g, Glycyrrhiza uralensis 3g, and Benincasa hispida peel 30g.

Dosage and administration: Take one dose daily, divided into two doses, one in the morning and one in the evening.

Explanation: Traditional Chinese medicine believes that those with qi deficiency and yang deficiency should be treated with warming yang and dampness-resolving methods, and should not be treated with qi-regulating methods. Those with kidney deficiency should not be treated with diuretics. Therefore, this formula is used.

Typical Case: Ms. Gong, 46 years old, weighing 83 kg and 167 cm tall. Her pulse was wiry and slippery, and her tongue was pale red with a slightly greasy coating. After taking this prescription, her urination increased and her abdominal distension lessened. The original prescription was then modified for further treatment. After 3 months, her weight dropped to 70 kg, and her blood lipids returned to normal.

Prescription source: Traditional Chinese medicine treatment of obesity Jiang Youli Journal of Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 1985(2)26～28.

45. Modified Yin Chen Wu Ling San and Shu Gan Yin

Indications: Simple obesity.

The formula consists of: Artemisia capillaris 15g, Poria cocos and Polyporus umbellatus 15g each, Atractylodes macrocephala 12g, Alisma plantago-aquatica 12g, Cinnamomum cassia 1g, Bupleurum chinense 12g, Curcuma longa 10g, Curcuma longa 10g, Mentha haplocalyx 3g, Amomum villosum 6g, and Raphanus sativus 15g.

Dosage and administration: One dose per day, taken in the morning and evening.

Explanation: This formula strengthens the spleen, eliminates dampness, and soothes the liver. It promotes qi circulation and diuresis, with a focus on benefiting the liver meridian. It is particularly suitable for patients with depression, especially female patients, and is especially effective for those with irregular menstruation.

Typical Case: Ms. Liu, 34 years old. Height 158 ​​cm, weight 74 kg. Pulse wiry and thready, tongue red with thin white coating. Diagnosed as liver stagnation and spleen deficiency. After taking this prescription for 8 doses, abdominal distension was significantly reduced. 30 grams of winter melon peel was added, and the treatment continued. One month later, her weight dropped to 70 kg, and after six months, it dropped to 66 kg.

Prescription source: Traditional Chinese medicine treatment of obesity Jiang Youli Journal of Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 1985(2)26～28.

46. ​​Modified Linggui Zhugan Decoction and Zexie Decoction

Indications: Simple obesity.

The formula consists of: Poria cocos 30g, Cinnamomum cassia 10g, Atractylodes macrocephala 12g, Glycyrrhiza uralensis 6g, Alisma plantago-aquatica 30g, Rheum palmatum 6g, Magnolia officinalis 10g, Citrus aurantium 6g.

Dosage and administration: Take one dose daily, divided into two doses, one in the morning and one in the evening.

Explanation: Traditional Chinese medicine believes that insufficient heart yang leads to impaired water metabolism in the middle jiao, resulting in phlegm and fat accumulation. This phlegm-heat can cause dizziness, and phlegm-dampness is one of the causes of obesity. This formula eliminates phlegm and dampness, invigorates heart yang, and thus promotes weight loss.

Typical Case: Ms. Chen, 44 years old. Her pulse was wiry and thready, and her tongue was red with a thick, greasy coating. She was diagnosed with heart yang deficiency and phlegm obstructing chest yang. After taking more than 60 doses, she lost weight and her blood lipids returned to normal.

Prescription source: Traditional Chinese medicine treatment of obesity, Jiang Youli, Journal of Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 1985(2), 26-28.

47. Weight Loss and Slimming Methods

Indications: Severe obesity due to phlegm and dampness (Cushing's disease).

The prescription consists of: 10-30 grams of black and white morning glory seeds, 10 grams each of stir-fried cassia seed, alisma rhizome, and atractylodes rhizome, and 20 grams each of hawthorn fruit, prepared he shou wu (Polygonum multiflorum), and morning glory seed.

Dosage and administration: Take one dose daily, divided into two doses, one in the morning and one in the evening.

Explanation: Hawthorn aids digestion, removes blood stasis, and lowers blood lipids. Cassia seed and Polygonum multiflorum lower blood lipids and cholesterol. Alisma plantago-aquatica drains water, and Atractylodes macrocephala tonifies the spleen and stomach, forming a formula for draining water, strengthening the spleen and stomach, removing stagnation, resolving phlegm, and lowering lipids. Morning glory seeds contain morning glory glycosides, fatty oils, pigments, and organic acids, and are the main ingredients in this formula. The *Compendium of Materia Medica* states that it treats abdominal masses, promotes urination and defecation, removes damp-heat from the qi level, clears stagnation in the triple burner, dispels blood stasis and eliminates phlegm; long-term use leads to weight loss. *The Compendium of Flowers, Volume 3, Materia Medica* also states that it can dispel wind and tonify deficiency and swelling; long-term use leads to emaciation. Its weight-loss effect is very significant.

Typical case: Ms. Lu, 25 years old. Height 156 cm, weight 64 kg. After taking the above prescription for 6 doses, her weight decreased to 61 kg.

Prescription source: Wang Guangquan, Zhejiang Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 1985(3)128.

48. Weight Loss Pills

Indications: Obesity of all types (fat accumulation type, water retention type, endocrine disorder type).

The formula consists of: 15 grams each of Saposhnikovia divaricata, Schizonepeta tenuifolia, Forsythia suspensa, Ephedra sinica, Mentha haplocalyx, Ligusticum chuanxiong, Angelica sinensis, stir-fried Paeonia lactiflora, Atractylodes macrocephala, Gardenia jasminoides, wine-steamed rhubarb, and Glauber's salt; 30 grams each of Gypsum fibrosum, Scutellaria baicalensis, and Platycodon grandiflorus; 60 grams of Glycyrrhiza uralensis; and 90 grams of Talcum.

Prescription source: Zhejiang Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 1985(12)

49. Fangji Huangqi Decoction

Formula composition: 30g of Fangji, 31g of Huangqi, 25g of Baizhu, and 60g of Shanzha. Grind the above two doses of medicine into powder, mix with honey to form pills, each weighing 9g. Take one pill in the morning and evening for three consecutive months.

Effects: After three months of continuous use, weight loss of approximately 10 kg is expected. This medication does not affect diet and has no specific side effects. Some individuals may experience mild diarrhea, which resolves upon discontinuation of the medication.

Prescription source: Same as above.

III. Obesity Classification

Prescribing medication is based on syndrome differentiation and treatment. The syndrome differentiation of obesity, like that of other diseases, must be based on the differentiation of exterior and interior, deficiency and excess, cold and heat, and yin and yang. However, obesity also has its own characteristics. In terms of the internal organs, it mainly affects the spleen, stomach, liver, kidneys, lungs, and four other organs. In terms of the nature of the disease, it mainly affects phlegm, dampness, and deficiency. In terms of the depth of the disease, it mainly affects the qi level, and in severe cases, the blood level. Therefore, based on past experience, the treatment of obesity should first treat the spleen and stomach, then the liver, and then the lungs and kidneys, or first treat the qi level, then the blood level, and also treat the deficiency level.

When administering medication, the following principles should be followed: promote urination without harming yin, warm and moisten without causing dryness, gently tonify without being cloying, and invigorate blood circulation without causing bleeding. After mastering these principles, medication can be adjusted according to different types of obesity. Obese patients can be classified into the following types:

1. Moisture-obstructed and Qi-stagnant type

Symptoms include obesity, chest tightness, excessive phlegm, loss of appetite, loose stools, a feeling of heaviness and drowsiness throughout the body, a white and greasy tongue coating, and a soft and slow pulse.

① Cold-dampness type: In addition to the above symptoms, headache and aversion to cold, heaviness and pain in the body, sticky mouth, clear and copious urine, loose stools, thirst but no desire to drink water, pale tongue with white and slippery coating, and slow and thready pulse.

② Damp-heat type: On the basis of the original condition, the patient also has fever (especially in the afternoon), sweating on the head but no sweating all over the body, pale yellow complexion, yellow urine, foul-smelling stool, burning sensation in the anus, pale tongue with yellow and slippery coating, and soft and rapid pulse.

2. Spleen and Kidney Yang Deficiency Type

Obesity, feeling cold all over, cold limbs, fatigue and weakness, lower limb edema, watery or non-diarrhea, pale tongue with white coating, and deep and thready pulse.

3. Liver heat with dampness type

Symptoms include obesity, fullness and discomfort in the chest and ribs, bitter taste in the mouth, dry throat, frequent sighing, itching all over the body, yellow urine, yellow eyes, pale tongue with yellow coating, and a wiry and rapid pulse.

4. Rheumatism with fever

Symptoms include obesity, excessive sweating, a heavy feeling in the head, general stiffness, pain in the joints of the limbs that is unpredictable and wandering, a bland taste in the mouth, and a pale tongue with a thin yellow coating.

5. Kidney excess heat type

Obesity, lower back and knee pain, dark yellow urine, thirst, poor sleep, red tongue with yellow coating, and wiry and rapid pulse.

6. Qi and Yin Deficiency Type

Obesity, shortness of breath and weakness, chest tightness, tinnitus, thirst, spontaneous sweating, night sweats, red tongue with little coating, and weak pulse.

In recent years, through repeated practice and exploration, domestic scholars have created a set of effective empirical formulas, which are briefly introduced below:

① Dampness obstruction and qi stagnation type: For cold-dampness type, use Linggui Zhugan Decoction with the addition of Atractylodes lancea, Citrus reticulata peel, Erythrina variegata peel, Alisma plantago-aquatica, and sesame seeds. For damp-heat type, use heat-clearing and dampness-eliminating drugs, such as Amomum villosum, Prunus armeniaca seed, Coix lacryma-jobi seed, Talcum, Lygodium japonicum, Stephania tetrandra, Poria cocos peel, Erythrina variegata peel, Citrus reticulata peel, and sesame seeds.

② Spleen and Kidney Yang Deficiency Type: Tonify the spleen and strengthen the kidneys, warm the yang and resolve dampness. Use Liu Jun Zi Tang plus Xian Mao, Gou Qi Zi, Fu Pen Zi, and Tu Si Zi.

③ Liver heat with dampness type: Soothe the liver, clear heat and resolve dampness. The formula uses Uncaria rhynchophylla, Paeonia suffruticosa, Paeonia lactiflora, Poria cocos peel, Citrus reticulata peel, Areca catechu peel, and Citrus aurantium.

④ Rheumatism with Heat Type: Use herbs that dispel dampness, invigorate blood, and unblock collaterals, including mulberry twigs, angelica pubescens, erythrina bark, bitter thorn, atractylodes lancea, sea pine, cibotium barometz, dipsacus root, red peony root, frankincense, and sesame seed. The patient in this group experienced a maximum weight loss of 12 kg after treatment, with a total effective rate of 89.2%.

⑤ Adolescent obesity: mostly due to kidney heat accumulation. The treatment should clear kidney heat, eliminate dampness and resolve phlegm. The formula is Loulu Powder (Loulu, Cassia Seed, Alisma, Lotus Leaf), with the addition of Rehmannia, Rhubarb, Anemarrhena, etc.

⑥ For middle-aged and elderly people with both Qi and Yin deficiency: the treatment should focus on replenishing Qi and nourishing Yin, resolving phlegm and promoting diuresis. The formula used is Fangji Huangqi Decoction with the addition of Rehmannia glutinosa, Echinops latifolius, red adzuki bean, rhubarb, and lotus leaf. Only by combining the treatment principles with the individual's constitution can good therapeutic effects be achieved.