Detailed Explanation of Commonly Used Traditional Chinese Medicines for Weight Loss (Part 2): Efficacy and Dietary Therapy of Hawthorn, Poria, Coix Seed, and Kelp

Cornus officinalis: This product is the mature pulp of the small tree Cornus officinalis, belonging to the Cornaceae family. It contains vitamin A, cornusin, saponins, tannins, ursolic acid, gallic acid, malic acid, and tartaric acid, among other components. Medicinal dietary uses include Cornus officinalis drink, Cornus officinalis stewed with winter melon, and Cornus officinalis and walnut stewed with pork kidney.

Pinellia ternata: This product is the tuber of Pinellia ternata, a perennial herbaceous plant of the Araceae family. It contains volatile oil, amino acids, β-sitosterol, choline, alkaloids, glucosides, and aldehydes, etc. It has antitussive, dextromethorphan, and antiemetic effects; the glucuronic acid derivatives it contains have significant detoxifying effects. Medicinal diets include steamed pear with Pinellia ternata, Pinellia ternata drink, and Pinellia ternata porridge.

Kelp: This product is the dried thallus of *Laminaria japonica* (family Laminariaceae) or *Laminaria spp.* (family Alginateae). It contains iodine, alginic acid, laminarin, mannitol, carotene, vitamin B₁, vitamin C, protein, and amino acids. It can correct hypothyroidism caused by iodine deficiency and temporarily inhibit the metabolic rate caused by hyperthyroidism, thereby alleviating its symptoms. Laminine has a blood pressure-lowering effect, and its crude extract has anti-asthmatic and antitussive effects; laminarin has a lipid-lowering effect and also has a weight-loss effect. Medicinal dietary methods include kelp stewed with lamb thyroid gland, kelp stewed with duck, and kelp soup.

Hawthorn: This product is the mature fruit of the perennial small tree or shrub *Crataegus pinnatifida* or wild hawthorn, belonging to the Rosaceae family. It contains flavonoids, glycosides, organic acids, lactones, sugars, proteins, vitamin C, and fats. It has effects such as dilating blood vessels, increasing coronary blood flow, lowering serum cholesterol, strengthening the heart, and contracting the uterus; it also increases gastric digestive enzymes and aids digestion; and it has a significant inhibitory effect on various types of Shigella and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Medicinal dietary methods include hawthorn drink, hawthorn and lotus leaf drink, and hawthorn stewed with winter melon.

Dried tangerine peel: This product is the mature fruit of the perennial sub-arbor plant Citrus reticulata, belonging to the Rutaceae family. It contains volatile oils, hesperidin, vitamin B₁, and vitamin C, among other components. The volatile oils have a soothing effect on the digestive tract, facilitating the expulsion of gas; they promote gastric juice secretion, aiding digestion; they stimulate the respiratory mucosa, increasing secretions and thinning phlegm, thus facilitating its expulsion; they can raise blood pressure and stimulate the heart; hesperidin has a cholesterol-lowering effect. Medicinal dietary uses include braised chicken with dried tangerine peel, beef with dried tangerine peel, tangerine peel drinks, and tangerine peel porridge.

Ganoderma lucidum: This product is the fruiting body of Ganoderma lucidum or Ganoderma sinense, a perennial herbaceous plant belonging to the Polyporaceae family. It contains sugars, proteins, organic acids, mannitol, ergosterol, and resins, among other components. It has liver-protecting, blood sugar-lowering, autonomic nervous system-regulating, cholesterol-lowering, white blood cell-increasing, and disease-fighting effects; it also has anti-cancer and weight-loss properties. Medicinal dietary methods include Ganoderma lucidum drink, Ganoderma lucidum porridge, and Ganoderma lucidum stewed black-boned chicken.

Poria cocos: This product is the sclerotium of the perennial parasitic plant Poria cocos, belonging to the Polyporaceae family. It contains protein, fat, sterols, lecithin, histidine, choline, pachymic acid, poria polysaccharides, potassium salts, adenine, protease, lipase, and poria polysaccharide-degrading enzymes, among other components. It has cardiotonic, stomachic, tonic, diuretic, antibacterial, hypoglycemic, hypotensive, weight-loss, and immune-enhancing effects. Poria polysaccharides can also significantly inhibit tumor cell activity; when used in combination with other anticancer chemotherapeutic drugs, it can enhance therapeutic efficacy. Dietary uses include poria buns, poria cakes, poria porridge, and poria drinks.

Job's tears: This product is the mature seed of Job's tears, an annual herbaceous plant of the Poaceae family. It contains Job's tears oil, coixol, coixenolide, β-sitosterol, protein, carbohydrates, fat, and vitamin B, etc. It can enhance immune function, inhibit the growth of cancer cells; it has a stimulating effect on the cardiovascular system and uterus; and it has antipyretic, analgesic, sedative, and weight-loss effects.

Alisma plantago-aquatica: This product is the tuberous root of Alisma plantago-aquatica, a perennial herb of the Alismataceae family. It contains volatile oil (containing uronic acid), alkaloids, alismosiderin, phytosterols, asparagine, resin, protein, organic acids, and starch, among other components. It has diuretic effects; it lowers blood pressure, blood sugar, and aids in weight loss; it lowers serum cholesterol and has anti-fatty liver effects; and it inhibits the growth of Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, and Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Dietary uses include Alisma plantago-aquatica drink, Alisma plantago-aquatica stewed with winter melon, and Alisma plantago-aquatica stewed with quail.