Chapter Thirty-Five: The Light Body Formula and Basic Concepts of Obesity
Alisma plantago-aquatica (Ze Xie) has the function of promoting diuresis and clearing heat, and it was also a commonly used medicine for weight loss in ancient times. The *Shennong Bencao Jing* (Shennong's Classic of Materia Medica) records that "long-term use makes the ears and eyes sharp, reduces hunger, prolongs life, and lightens the body." The *Tu Jing Bencao* (Illustrated Materia Medica) also records: "Emerald prescriptions also involve taking Alisma plantago-aquatica alone, pounding and sifting it to obtain powder, mixing it with water, and taking six liang (approximately 300 grams) daily. After one hundred days, the body becomes light and healthy." Modern research shows that Alisma plantago-aquatica not only has diuretic effects but also lowers lipids, blood sugar, and blood pressure. From its pharmacological effects, it should also have a weight-loss effect.
Lotus leaves are known for their ability to clear heat and dampness, disperse blood stasis and reduce swelling, and are also a famous weight-loss remedy. The weight-loss efficacy of lotus leaves is recorded in many ancient and modern Chinese medicine texts. For example, the *Zhengzhi Yaojue* states, "Taking lotus leaves makes one thin and weak." Besides weight loss, lotus leaves also have the effects of lowering blood lipids and blood pressure.
This formula not only stimulates the central nervous system but also has effects such as lowering blood lipids, lowering blood pressure, and promoting diuresis, so it should have a certain weight loss effect. From the perspective of traditional Chinese medicine theory, this formula functions to eliminate dampness and clear heat, and is suitable for obesity of the phlegm-heat retention type, especially for obese patients with hypertension.
Those with Yang deficiency or Qi deficiency should use it with caution or avoid it altogether.
The journal *Henan Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine* reported in its 1985, Issue 5, that using Loulu Powder with added Rehmannia glutinosa, Anemarrhena asphodeloides, Stephania tetrandra, and Arctium lappa had achieved good results in treating simple obesity of the kidney-heat accumulation type. The report noted that the main characteristics of kidney-heat accumulation were excessive appetite, easy sweating, heat intolerance, difficulty with urination and defecation, and a ruddy complexion. The *Journal of Beijing College of Traditional Chinese Medicine* reported in its 1986, Issue 6, that Loulu Powder is suitable for obesity in adolescents.
11. Lightweight No. 1
Astragalus membranaceus, Stephania tetrandra, Atractylodes macrocephala, Ligusticum chuanxiong, and processed Polygonum multiflorum, 15 grams each; Alisma plantago-aquatica, raw hawthorn, Salvia miltiorrhiza, Artemisia capillaris, and buffalo horn, 30 grams each; Epimedium brevicornu, 10 grams; and raw rhubarb, 9 grams.
Decoct in water and take twice daily.
Functions: Tonifies Qi and strengthens the spleen, warms the kidneys and assists Yang, invigorates blood circulation and removes blood stasis, promotes diuresis and lowers lipids.
Indications: Spleen and kidney deficiency, phlegm and dampness obstruction, and blood stasis type obesity.
[Note] This prescription is from the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Medical University. The original prescription can be found on page 40 of the 10th issue of the *Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine* in 1980. Astragalus in this prescription tonifies the middle energizer, replenishes qi, promotes diuresis, and reduces edema; it is also a commonly used medicine in ancient times for treating obesity. Modern research shows that astragalus not only has a diuretic effect, but its effect is also sustained and long-lasting; astragalus also has cardiotonic and peripheral vasodilatory effects. Furthermore, astragalus can prolong the estrus period in mice. Stephania tetrandra promotes diuresis and clears damp-heat in the lower jiao; when combined with astragalus, it enhances the diuretic and edema-reducing effects of astragalus.
Atractylodes macrocephala (Bai Zhu) tonifies the spleen and stomach, dries dampness, and harmonizes the middle jiao. Modern research shows that it has a significant and lasting diuretic effect and can lower blood sugar. Alisma plantago-aquatica (Ze Xie) promotes urination and clears heat, and is also a commonly used weight-loss drug throughout history. The *Shennong Bencao Jing*, written more than two thousand years ago, records that "long-term use makes the ears and eyes sharp, prevents hunger, prolongs life, makes the body and face radiant, and allows one to walk on water." The *Taiping Shenghui Fang* also records that finely sifted Alisma plantago-aquatica powder, mixed with water and taken orally, "makes the body a hundred times lighter after one hundred days; long-term use strengthens the body, prevents aging, makes the face radiant, allows one to run like a galloping horse, and travel far without fatigue." Modern research shows that Alisma plantago-aquatica not only has a diuretic effect but also lowers lipids, blood sugar, and blood pressure. Artemisia capillaris (Yin Chen) clears heat and promotes diuresis. Modern research has proven that Artemisia capillaris not only has a good choleretic and jaundice-reducing effect but also has diuretic and lipid-lowering effects.
Raw hawthorn berries are used to relieve indigestion and disperse blood stasis. Studies have shown that hawthorn not only lowers lipids but also strengthens the heart and dilates coronary and peripheral blood vessels. Processed Polygonum multiflorum (He Shou Wu) nourishes the kidneys, strengthens essence, nourishes blood, and dispels wind. Modern research indicates that Polygonum multiflorum not only lowers lipids but also promotes nerve excitability. Furthermore, it also lowers blood sugar. Raw rhubarb is used to purge heat and toxins, break up stagnation, and promote blood circulation. Modern pharmacological research shows that rhubarb not only has a purgative effect but is also a broad-spectrum antibacterial drug. In addition, rhubarb lowers lipids, lowers blood pressure, and dilates blood vessels. Salvia miltiorrhiza (Danshen) invigorates blood, removes blood stasis, clears the heart, relieves irritability, regulates menstruation, and relieves pain. Modern research has also proven that Salvia miltiorrhiza can improve blood rheology, dilate coronary and peripheral blood vessels, and lower blood lipids. Ligusticum chuanxiong (Chuanxiong) invigorates blood, removes blood stasis, promotes qi circulation, relieves pain, and dispels wind and dampness. Modern research has proven that Ligusticum chuanxiong also dilates blood vessels, inhibits platelet aggregation, and reduces in vitro thrombus formation.
Buffalo horn, the horn of the buffalo (Bovidae), is bitter, salty, and cold in nature. The *Mingyi Biexun* states it can "treat seasonal febrile diseases and headaches." The *Rihua Zi Bencao* says it can "treat heat toxins, wind-related ailments, and high fever." The *Bencao Gangmu* says it can "treat urinary tract infections and break up blood stasis." The *Luchuan Bencao* says it "cools the blood, detoxifies, and stops nosebleeds. It treats feverish coma, measles rashes, hematemesis, epistaxis, blood heat, and dark urine." Currently, it is mainly used clinically as a heat-clearing, detoxifying, blood-cooling, and hemostatic agent, and is often used as a substitute for rhinoceros horn. Modern pharmacological research shows that buffalo horn and rhinoceros horn have similar chemical compositions, both containing sterols, amino acids, peptides, proteins, and guanidine derivatives. The main difference is that buffalo horn does not contain arginine, while its guanidine content is higher than that of rhinoceros horn.
Epimedium, also known as Siberian ginseng, is the stem and leaves of the perennial herbaceous plant Epimedium, Epimedium brevicornu, or Epimedium sagittatum, belonging to the Berberidaceae family. It has a pungent, sweet, and warm nature, and functions to warm the kidneys and strengthen yang, dispel wind and dampness. Modern research has shown that Epimedium can promote semen secretion and has androgen-like effects. Epimedium also has lipid-lowering and blood sugar-lowering effects.
Regarding the causes of obesity, the *Shi Shi Mi Lu* (Secret Records of the Stone Chamber) states, "Obese people often have phlegm, which is due to qi deficiency. When qi is deficient, it cannot circulate, thus phlegm is produced." The renowned Qing Dynasty physician Chen Xiuyuan also said, "Generally, those with a strong constitution suffer from no major ailments, except for a considerable amount of damp phlegm." The *Neijing* (Inner Canon of Medicine) further states, "Obese people have turbid blood." "Turbid blood" refers to the obstruction caused by phlegm and blood stasis. This formula can invigorate qi and warm yang, eliminate dampness and phlegm, and promote blood circulation to remove phlegm. Therefore, it should have a certain weight-loss effect. According to modern pharmacological analysis, this formula should not only have lipid-lowering effects but also diuretic and laxative effects, which are also beneficial for weight loss. Clinically, it can be used for obesity caused by spleen and kidney deficiency and phlegm-blood stasis. Zhejiang Medical University treated 50 cases of obesity with this formula, with 48 showing significant improvement, and believes that this formula may have a metabolic regulating effect.
Those with internal phlegm-heat should use it with caution.
Chapter Two: Basic Knowledge about Obesity
I. The concept of obesity
Obesity is a condition where excessive fat tissue accumulates in the body, causing a weight exceeding the normal range. It is also a disease, a malnutrition-related disease more common among people with relatively good living conditions. It is not caused by nutritional deficiency, but rather by long-term overnutrition. Under normal circumstances, the daily energy intake and total energy expenditure of a healthy adult maintain a dynamic balance, which is one of the main indicators of normal metabolism and health. Therefore, when intake exceeds expenditure, the excess energy is stored in the body as fat (triglycerides), meaning intake exceeds expenditure, and over time, this leads to weight gain.
II. Weight Measurement Therapy
1. Method for calculating standard weight
To accurately determine whether someone is obese, it's essential to first understand the average weight of a healthy person. Currently, there are several calculation methods; a simple and easy one is:
Infants: Standard weight (grams) for 1-6 months = birth weight (grams) + age in months × 600; Standard weight (grams) for 7-12 months = birth weight (grams) + age in months × 500; Standard weight (kilograms) for children over 1 year old = 8 + age × 2
Standard weight for adult males (kg) = [height (cm) - 105] × 0.9
Standard weight for adult women (kg) = [height (cm) - 100] × 0.9
It should be noted that, in order to make the weight measurement more accurate, it is best to do so after urinating in the morning and before eating.
In addition, due to racial differences, the values obtained by the above methods cannot accurately reflect the actual situation of the Chinese population. In the mid-1980s, experts from the Chinese Academy of Military Medical Sciences, taking into account differences in geographical location, climate, food variety, and height among people in northern and southern China, formulated the following method for calculating standard weight:
Standard weight (kg) for Northerners = [height (cm) - 150] × 0.6 + 50
Standard weight (kg) for people from southern China = [height (cm) - 150] × 0.6 + 48