Tonifying Qi and Blood and Enhancing Metabolism: Korean Ginseng Pulse-Replenishing Decoction and Codonopsis and Poria Decoction for Improving Qi Deficiency-Type Obesity

Everyone knows that exercise is the best way to lose weight. Regular exercise, especially aerobic exercise, can burn fat, eliminate bloating, strengthen the body, and ward off various ailments. However, for some overweight people, exercise is often easier said than done. They become breathless after walking just a few steps, and even slight exertion leads to joint pain, general weakness, and a feeling of complete exhaustion. It can take several days, even two or three weeks, to recover after an exercise session. Therefore, the mere mention of exercise evokes a sense of dread. This lack of exercise leads to the accumulation of fat, making it even more difficult to eliminate. As the Chinese saying goes, "Overweight people often suffer from qi deficiency."

Qi is a very abstract concept. The ancients believed that "humans are born from the qi of heaven and earth," that "when qi gathers, form is created; when qi disperses, form perishes," and that "qi is the foundation of human life." Thus, qi is the most fundamental substance indispensable for maintaining human life activities. In summary, qi has five major functions: propulsion, warming, defense, consolidation, and transformation. The transformation function, in particular, has the greatest impact on obesity. The transformation function refers to the normal process by which the body transforms food and drink into qi, blood, essence, and body fluids, nourishing the five internal organs and enabling the body to carry out various physiological activities.

If the body's qi transformation function is insufficient or deficient, it cannot properly transport, digest, and distribute food and drink. Furthermore, it cannot generate qi, blood, essence, and body fluids, and may produce pathological byproducts such as phlegm, dampness, fat, and turbidity. When phlegm, dampness, fat, and turbidity gradually accumulate in the body, they can affect the functions of the five internal organs, further impairing the qi transformation function. This leads to an increase in fat and turbidity, a plump and overweight physique, and increasing obesity.

Qi deficiency also indicates a decline in the body's vitality, leading to a gradual decline in the functions of the five internal organs. Besides a general decline in health, symptoms of qi deficiency may appear, such as: shortness of breath, fatigue, dizziness, spontaneous sweating, night sweats, pale complexion, weak pulse, lethargy, drowsiness, cold limbs, and lack of energy. From another perspective, qi deficiency can be understood as a decline in overall metabolism, resulting in weakened vitality. This condition is usually accompanied by a decrease in the basal metabolic rate, leading to reduced calorie expenditure and making it more difficult to burn and eliminate accumulated fat.

Not all obese people suffer from Qi deficiency. However, long-term obesity can lead to Qi deficiency. Someone who was once highly motivated may gradually become weak and lethargic; someone who was previously healthy and rarely ill may now experience frequent minor ailments that fluctuate in severity, causing considerable distress. Healthy individuals are generally quick-witted, agile, and have elastic muscles. In contrast, those with Qi deficiency-related obesity experience increasingly sluggish movements, loss of muscle elasticity, and sagging muscles. As Qi deficiency worsens, the more obese the body becomes, the worse the health, the less inclined to move, and the more prone to weight gain. This creates a vicious cycle: the more deficient Qi becomes, the fatter the body grows; the fatter the body grows, the more deficient Qi becomes.

For those suffering from obesity due to Qi deficiency, exercising to lose weight can be very strenuous. It might be advisable to replenish Qi first, then focus on weight loss, or do both simultaneously. The principle of "tonifying what is deficient" applies here; after replenishing Qi, those with Qi deficiency will feel invigorated, their organ functions will be more robust, and they will be able to resolve phlegm and dampness. Furthermore, due to an overall increased metabolism and basal metabolic rate, calorie consumption will increase, leading to fat burning and weight loss. Combining this with exercise will achieve even better results.

Qi deficiency type obesity and corresponding decoction formula:

(1) Korean Ginseng, Schisandra, and Ophiopogon Soup. Serves: 4. Ingredients: 5 mace of Korean ginseng, 5 mace of Schisandra, 1 tael of Ophiopogon japonicus, 15 red dates, 1 piece of lean pork. Preparation: Simmer in 15 bowls of water for 3 hours. Benefits: Nourishes and strengthens the body, replenishes vital energy.

From the perspective of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Qi (vital energy) plays a vital role. When the body's vital energy is abundant, the pulse will also be strong; conversely, insufficient vital energy can lead to both Qi-deficiency obesity and a weak pulse. Boosting vital energy can prevent and treat Qi-deficiency obesity and restore a strong pulse. Taking Fupai Tang (Restore Pulse Decoction) is recommended. Fupai Tang consists of ginseng, schisandra chinensis, and ophiopogon japonicus, with ginseng as the main ingredient. Korean ginseng is used here due to its strong tonic effect.

Schisandra chinensis is an antioxidant-rich traditional Chinese medicine. It has a sour taste and warm properties. It possesses the effects of astringing the lungs and kidneys, reducing sweating and promoting body fluid production, astringing essence and stopping diarrhea, nourishing the heart and calming the mind, and tonifying and strengthening the body. It can be used for chronic cough due to lung deficiency, thirst due to insufficient body fluids, excessive sweating due to physical weakness, weak seminal emission, frequent urination, persistent diarrhea, palpitations, and insomnia. Studies have indicated that Schisandra chinensis has anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic, anti-aging, immune-enhancing, and hepatitis-preventing effects.

Ophiopogon japonicus, also known as Mai Dong, has a sweet and slightly bitter taste and is slightly cold in nature. It has the effects of clearing the heart and lungs, nourishing yin and reducing fire, and nourishing the stomach and promoting body fluids. Clinically, it is often used for lung dryness, dry cough, hemoptysis, irritability, insufficient body fluids, and dry mouth. The Compendium of Materia Medica states that Ophiopogon japonicus, when taken for a long time, "makes one light and aging," "brightens the eyes," and "improves complexion." Ancient people even called it the "elixir of immortality" or "herb of immortality." If you want to improve your complexion, lose weight, moisturize your skin, or live a long life, you might consider taking more Ophiopogon japonicus. Red dates are sweet and neutral in nature. They have the effects of nourishing and strengthening the body, invigorating the spleen and stomach, replenishing blood and nourishing the heart, and calming the mind and promoting sleep.

(2) Codonopsis, Poria and Longan Soup. Serves: 4. Ingredients: 1 tael of Codonopsis, 1 tael of Poria, 1 tael of Longan, 1 catty of Frog. Preparation: Simmer in 12 bowls of water for 2 hours. Efficacy: Tonifies Qi and blood, strengthens the spleen and calms the mind.

Codonopsis pilosula has a sweet taste and neutral properties. It has the effect of tonifying the middle energizer and replenishing qi. It is suitable for qi deficiency, fatigue, weakness, poor appetite due to spleen deficiency, shortness of breath, and facial edema. Although the qi-tonifying effect of Codonopsis pilosula is slightly less than that of ginseng, it is still well-tolerated by most people. In addition, it is inexpensive, making it very popular among the general public.

Poria cocos is a commonly used traditional Chinese medicine. It has a sweet taste and neutral properties. It possesses the effects of strengthening the spleen and removing dampness, promoting diuresis and reducing swelling, and calming the mind and soothing the nerves. This medicine is tonifying without being drastic and diuretic without being overpowering. It can both support the body's vital energy and dispel pathogenic factors, making it a mild tonic in traditional Chinese medicine. Because the quality of Poria cocos produced in Yunnan is considered superior, it is simply called "Yunnan Poria cocos".

Longan pulp is also known as dried longan flesh. The saying goes, "Qi generates blood, and blood carries Qi." Therefore, Qi-tonifying and blood-tonifying herbs are often used together to enhance their effects. Longan pulp is sweet and warm in nature. It has the effects of tonifying blood, calming the mind, strengthening the spleen, improving intelligence, and improving eyesight. Ancient people highly valued longan pulp, believing that its "efficacy in tonifying Qi and blood surpasses that of ginseng and astragalus."