Detailed Explanation of Liver-Soothing, Depression-Relieving, Blood-Activating, and Slimming Decoctions: Motherwort, Angelica, and Jujube Decoction and Rose, Green Tangerine Peel, and Turmeric Decoction
Don't assume that only strong spleen and stomach function leads to weight gain; liver stagnation can also cause weight gain. Traditional Chinese medicine believes that the liver governs the free flow of qi and is deeply related to a woman's menstrual cycle and ovulation. From a modern medical perspective, these physiological activities are governed by estrogen, and abnormal estrogen levels often lead to abnormal fat accumulation in areas such as the hips and thighs. Therefore, regulating the liver's function of free flow of qi is crucial for this type of obesity.
Traditional Chinese medicine considers obesity a disease characterized by both deficiency and excess. "Deficiency" refers to insufficient vital energy (qi) and depletion of the body's protective qi; "excess" refers to the nature of obesity as phlegm and dampness. Because phlegm and dampness can rise and fall with qi, reaching everywhere, they form stagnant fat and turbidity, hindering the flow of qi and blood, obstructing the meridians, and damaging vital energy and the body's protective qi. For liver-qi stagnation type obesity, the stagnation of qi directly leads to the stagnation of fat metabolism; therefore, soothing the liver, regulating qi, and promoting blood circulation are key steps in weight loss.
Liver Qi Stagnation Type Obesity and Corresponding Decoction Formula:
(1) Motherwort, Angelica, and Jujube Soup. Serving size: 1 person. Ingredients: 3 qian of motherwort, 3 qian of angelica, 3 jujubes, 5 qian of rehmannia. Preparation: Boil 3 bowls of water down to 1 bowl. Efficacy: Promotes blood circulation, nourishes yin, and benefits the liver.
Motherwort has a pungent and slightly bitter taste, and is slightly cold in nature. It possesses the effects of promoting blood circulation, removing blood stasis, regulating menstruation, detoxifying, reducing swelling, and promoting diuresis. It can be used for irregular menstruation, dysmenorrhea, blood stasis, abdominal pain, edema, difficulty urinating, and hypertension. Studies indicate that motherwort can promote immune function. It can also be used for hyperlipidemia, arrhythmia, and gynecological diseases. For water retention caused by qi stagnation and blood stasis, motherwort has a good effect on clearing and regulating dampness.
Angelica sinensis has a sweet and pungent taste and is warm in nature. It has the effects of nourishing blood, regulating menstruation, promoting blood circulation, and relieving pain. It is a famous Chinese herbal medicine for nourishing blood and is even known as the "holy medicine for gynecology." It is commonly used for blood deficiency, blood cold, irregular menstruation, amenorrhea, metrorrhagia, traumatic injuries, blood stasis and swelling, and constipation due to blood dryness. Studies have shown that it also has liver-protecting, lipid-lowering, and antioxidant effects. Many women like to take angelica sinensis or angelica sinensis and jujube water after menstruation. However, they often feel very hot and dry after taking it. To reduce the dryness, it is advisable to add Rehmannia glutinosa (processed) and decoct it together.
Rehmannia glutinosa (Shu Di) is processed from raw Rehmannia glutinosa. It has a sweet taste and warm properties. It nourishes Yin and replenishes blood. Clinically, it is commonly used for blood deficiency with chlorosis, dizziness, palpitations, insomnia, irregular menstruation, and metrorrhagia. In addition, Rehmannia glutinosa also tonifies the liver and kidneys. It can be used for liver and kidney Yin deficiency, bone steaming fever, night sweats, seminal emission, diabetes, and Yin deficiency with fire excess. Rehmannia glutinosa and Angelica sinensis are often used together. Because Rehmannia glutinosa nourishes Yin and blood but is sticky, while Angelica sinensis replenishes blood and invigorates blood but is hot, the combination of the two herbs is neither sticky nor hot. They complement each other, resulting in better effects.
(2) Rose, Green Tangerine Peel, and Turmeric Soup. Serving size: 1 person. Ingredients: 3 qian of rose petals, 1 qian of green tangerine peel, 3 qian of turmeric, and 3 qian of honeysuckle. Preparation: Boil 3 bowls of water down to 1 bowl. Benefits: Soothes the liver and relieves depression, lowers lipids and aids weight loss.
In recent years, aromatherapy with roses has become increasingly popular. Rose essential oil, in particular, is considered a premium aromatherapy product. A whiff can refresh the mind, an inhale can relax muscles and improve circulation, and a soak can even help with weight loss and blemish removal. This has greatly increased the fame of roses. In fact, Traditional Chinese Medicine has long used roses. It has a sweet and slightly bitter taste and possesses effects such as soothing the liver and relieving depression, promoting blood circulation and regulating menstruation, lowering lipids and aiding weight loss, and beautifying the skin and removing blemishes. It is commonly used for emotional distress, liver stagnation leading to internal heat, irregular menstruation, dysmenorrhea, chest and rib distension, and qi and blood stagnation. Studies have shown that it also has the effects of lowering lipids, aiding weight loss, and fading age spots.
Green tangerine peel and dried tangerine peel are among the "Three Treasures of Guangdong." They are known for their ability to regulate qi and strengthen the stomach. However, few people know what green tangerine peel is or what the similarities and differences are between it and dried tangerine peel. Both are made from the outer peel of citrus fruits. Both have the effect of regulating qi and strengthening the stomach. However, dried tangerine peel is made from the peel of mature fruits, resulting in a milder effect; while green tangerine peel is made from the peel of unripe fruits, resulting in a stronger effect and also having the effect of soothing the liver and relieving depression.
Turmeric, as its name suggests, is a powerful remedy for depression, even considered a panacea. Indeed, it possesses excellent anti-depressant properties. Turmeric has a pungent and bitter taste, and is cold in nature. It has the effects of soothing the liver and relieving depression, promoting qi and blood circulation, cooling the blood and clearing the heart, removing blood stasis and relieving pain, and promoting bile secretion and reducing jaundice. It is commonly used for emotional distress, liver stagnation transforming into fire, chest and abdominal distension, irregular menstruation, dysmenorrhea, jaundice, nosebleeds, and hematuria. Furthermore, it also has the effects of lowering blood lipids and blood pressure.
Honeysuckle, also known as "Lonicera japonica," "Shuanghua," or "Yinhua," is a commonly used traditional Chinese medicine. It has a sweet taste and cold properties. It possesses excellent heat-clearing and detoxifying effects. It is commonly used for external pathogenic factors, sore throat, sores, and blood heat. Studies have indicated that the active ingredients in honeysuckle have lipid-lowering effects.