Chinese Medicine for Obesity

Obesity is not just about eating too much or exercising too little. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), it is seen as an imbalance in the body’s organs and energies. Each person’s weight problem may come from different patterns, so treatment focuses on correcting these root imbalances. Here are the main TCM patterns linked to obesity, their symptoms, and common approaches to restore balance.

1. Spleen Dampness

When the spleen is weak, it cannot process food and fluids well. This leads to dampness in the body, which causes heaviness and swelling.

Symptoms:

  • Chest discomfort without appetite

  • Diarrhea

  • Swelling (edema)

  • Heavy feeling in the head or body

  • Jaundice

  • Nausea or vomiting

  • Poor appetite

  • Scant urine

  • Fullness in the stomach

  • Sweet, sticky taste in the mouth

  • Extreme tiredness

Treatment principle: Strengthen the spleen and remove dampness.
Formulas: Fang-Ji-Huang-Qi-Tang with Ling-Gui-Zhu-Gan-Tang
Foods used: Gold carp, corncob, horse bean, Job's tears, prickly ash, adzuki bean, bamboo shoot

2. Spleen and Stomach Heat with Dampness

Too much heat in the stomach with dampness creates strong hunger, bad breath, and digestive trouble.

Symptoms:

  • Abdominal swelling

  • Bad breath and gum problems

  • Dizziness

  • Constipation

  • Nosebleeds or bleeding gums

  • Stomach pain and hiccups

  • Thirst with craving for cold drinks

  • Vomiting (sometimes with blood)

  • Perspiration on the head

Treatment principle: Clear stomach heat and drain dampness.
Formula: Fang-Feng-Tong-Sheng-San
Foods used: Carp, celery, horse bean, jellyfish skin, Job’s tears, hyacinth bean, oregano, basil, cucumber, mung bean, peppermint, purslane

3. Liver Energy Congestion

When liver energy (Qi) is blocked, emotions and digestion are affected. This type of obesity is often linked to anger or stress.

Symptoms:

  • Abdominal pain or blockage

  • Bitter taste in the mouth

  • Dry tongue

  • Irritability and anger

  • Poor appetite

  • Stomachache

  • Sensation of a lump in the throat

  • Vomiting of blood (in severe cases)

Treatment principle: Move stagnant liver Qi.
Formula: Da-Chai-Hu-Tang
Foods used: Garlic, turmeric, kumquat, beef, cherry, chicken, coconut, tofu, goose meat, jackfruit, sweet potato, red beans, saffron

4. Energy Congestion with Blood Coagulation

When Qi stagnation combines with poor blood flow, blockages and pain occur.

Symptoms:

  • Abdominal swelling

  • Chronic hepatitis or cirrhosis

  • Chest congestion

  • Pain in the upper abdomen

  • Irregular menstruation with clots (in women)

  • Palpitations and shortness of breath

  • Sighing often

Treatment principle: Move Qi and improve blood flow.
Formula: Tao-Hong-Si-Wu-Tang
Foods used: Beef, chicken, tofu, sweet rice, mushroom, chestnut, peach, black soybean, crab, papaya, saffron

5. Internal Sputum

When dampness turns into phlegm, it creates heaviness and fluid buildup inside the body.

Symptoms:

  • Abdominal rumbling or swelling

  • Chest congestion

  • Dizziness and headache

  • Heaviness in the body

  • Cravings for greasy or sweet foods

  • Palpitations

  • Vomiting or coughing up sputum

  • Swollen tongue

Treatment principle: Strengthen the spleen and transform phlegm.
Formula: Wen-Dan-Tang
Foods used: Bamboo shoot, crown daisy, ginger, mustard seed, pepper, asparagus, pear

6. Spleen and Kidney Yang Deficiency

Weak spleen and kidney energy leads to coldness, fatigue, and water retention.

Symptoms:

  • Cold hands, feet, or lower back

  • Early morning diarrhea

  • Sticky stools or dysentery

  • Swelling all over the body

  • Fatigue and weakness in the limbs

  • Frequent clear urination

  • Poor appetite

  • Fear of cold

  • Watery stools

Treatment principle: Warm the kidneys and strengthen the spleen.
Formulas: Zhen-Wu-Tang with Huang-Ji-Huang-Qi-Tang
Foods used: Shark air bladder, chicken, mutton, nutmeg, mustard, clove, walnut, pistachio, shrimp, sardine, raspberry

Key Takeaway

In Chinese medicine, obesity is not treated with a one-size-fits-all approach. Each pattern points to a different root imbalance—whether it’s dampness, heat, liver Qi blockage, blood stasis, phlegm, or kidney weakness. By identifying the pattern, TCM uses herbal formulas and food remedies to restore balance, improve digestion, and reduce excess weight naturally.