1
A patient at the outpatient clinic, weighing 158 pounds, with a large belly, barrel waist, fatigue, bad breath, breaks into profuse sweat and breathlessness with slight movement. Poor sleep quality, light sleep, vivid dreams, physical examination revealing severe fatty liver, elevated total cholesterol. Diagnosis: Sticky tongue coating, enlarged tongue, teeth marks on the sides of the tongue. Dialectic analysis: Phlegm accumulation, abdominal obesity. Treatment: Tonify spleen, dispel dampness, transform phlegm and regulate qi. Sharing an effective Chinese medicine recipe for fatty liver adjustment—Dampness-Resolving and Fat-Dissipating Formula. Composition: White Atractylodes, Poria, fried Coix Seed, Tangerine Peel, dried Hawthorn, Cassia Seed, Cinnamon Twig, Salvia. Recommended dosage: White Atractylodes 12g, Poria 30g, fried Coix Seed 30g, Tangerine Peel 9g, dried Hawthorn 30g, Cassia Seed 9g, Cinnamon Twig 9g, Salvia 9g. Follow-up visit after three weeks: Fatigue, breathlessness improved, weight decreased by 10 pounds. Continue usage with modifications based on the original formula. Forty pounds weight loss and disappearance of fatty liver after three months.
2
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, high blood lipids are viewed as the product of phlegm-dampness, a result of the body’s essence not being absorbed and turning into rubbish in the blood vessels. To completely resolve high blood lipids, one must address the origin and pathway of phlegm-dampness. How does TCM eliminate fats? In TCM, fats are equivalent to phlegm-dampness. It is commonly said that “fat people have more phlegm-dampness.” Excess phlegm-dampness within the body causes obesity, hence ancient treatment for obesity focused on dispelling dampness and transforming phlegm. The same principle applies to treating fatty liver, often occurring in obese individuals, aligning with the concept of “fat people have more phlegm-dampness.” To eliminate fatty liver, it is vital to dispel dampness and transform phlegm. Treatment solution: Primarily using White Atractylodes to tonify spleen, enhancing its digestive function to eradicate dampness. Secondly, to resolve high blood lipids, address the phlegm-dampness in blood vessels, focusing on dispelling dampness using Poria and fried Coix Seed. Poria is known for its spleen-tonifying and dampness dispelling properties and often complements White Atractylodes. Coix Seed is its excellent companion to thoroughly eliminate body dampness. Addressing the existing phlegm-dampness deposits involves using Tangerine Peel to transform phlegm. The Tangerine Peel and Poria combination is part of the famous phlegm-dissolving formula, Er Chen Tang. Additionally, dried Hawthorn functions to treat the symptoms, commonly known for aiding digestion and fat reduction. When Hawthorn is brewed into water, it aids in reducing meat consumption and lowering blood lipids. Cinnamon Twig strengthens yang energy, promotes blood vessel circulation, ensures smooth vessel function, and simultaneously regulates liver qi flow. To facilitate phlegm-dampness elimination, Cassia Seed, a colon-moistening herb, clears the liver, brightens the eyes, moistens the intestines for bowel movements, and expels liver phlegm through the intestine. In TCM, the liver and colon are closely connected, indicating significance. Lastly, Salvia promotes blood circulation and dispelling stasis. Advanced stages of high blood lipids lead to blood vessel blockage and blood stasis; Salvia facilitates microcirculation, aiding the overall circulatory system’s function. This formula is recommended for use under TCM guidance. Those with phlegm accumulation and abdominal obesity can consider using it for half a month to 21 days, then adjust for consolidation or follow-up. During the adjusting period, adopt a light diet and engage in appropriate exercise.
