Chapter Thirty-One: Explanation and Usage of the Weight Loss Formulas and Secret Records of Fat Relief Powder

(III) Weight Loss Prescription

1. Light Body Powder

It clears the valley's energy and prolongs life.

Take one pound of Astragalus membranaceus, chop it up, boil it in ginger juice for thirty boils, then dry it and grind it into powder. Add one mace each of Poria cocos, licorice root, ginseng, Cornus officinalis, and mica powder, mix well, and take one mace of the powder each time, adding a little salt, at any time.

[Note] This formula originates from the Song Dynasty medical text *Shengji Zonglu*. "Light body" has two meanings in ancient Chinese medical literature: one describes a healthy body with light and agile movements, the so-called "light and healthy body"; the other refers to reducing body weight, the modern concept of weight loss. Here, "light body" primarily refers to weight loss, but also implies a light and healthy physique. "Dang" means to dispel or eliminate. "Grain qi" refers to the qi from grains and water, which normally nourishes the body. However, excessive amounts can breed dampness and cause obesity. As stated in *Fei Zuan*, "When grain qi surpasses primordial qi, the person becomes fat and short-lived." The phrase "dang grain qi" alone indicates that this formula is a weight-loss prescription.

Astragalus, or Huangqi, constitutes over 90% of the total dosage in this formula, making it the principal ingredient. Astragalus is sweet and slightly warm in nature. According to the *Compendium of Materia Medica*, "Qi means long. Astragalus is yellow in color and is the best among tonics." The *Seeking Truth in Materia Medica* further states, "Astragalus enters the lungs to replenish qi and enters the exterior to strengthen the defensive qi; it is the best among qi-tonifying herbs, hence the name 'Qi' (meaning 'refined')." Currently, it is mainly used clinically as a tonic for replenishing qi, promoting diuresis, and reducing swelling; it is also a commonly used weight-loss drug throughout history. For example, Zhu Danxi, one of the four great masters of the Jin-Yuan period, said, "Astragalus replenishes vital energy; it is suitable for those who are plump, fair-skinned, and sweat profusely. If one is dark-skinned, robust, and thin, taking it will cause chest fullness." This not only indicates that astragalus has a weight-loss effect but also points out its specific indications. Many recently reported weight-loss formulas contain astragalus, and clinical observations have also proven its effectiveness in weight loss. Astragalus contains sucrose, glucuronic acid, mucilage, several amino acids, bitter principles, choline, betaine, folic acid, arbutin, and 2',4'-dihydroxy-5,6-dimethoxyisoflavones. Pharmacological experiments have shown that astragalus has diuretic, proteinuria-reducing, antihypertensive, hypoglycemic, anti-peptic ulcer, and sex hormone-like effects, as well as a tonic effect. The weight-loss effect of astragalus may be mainly related to its diuretic function. Simultaneously, because it specifically invigorates the spleen and replenishes qi, it may enhance the body's metabolic function, which is also beneficial for weight loss.

The formula contains ginseng, poria cocos, and licorice to tonify the spleen and replenish qi. Ginseng, in particular, has been proven by modern research to be a systemic tonic with adaptogen-like effects, not only enhancing the body's non-specific defense capabilities but also regulating pathological processes towards normalization. Furthermore, ginseng can enhance tissue respiration, promote glycolysis, and improve energy metabolism. Poria cocos has been proven to have diuretic effects. Therefore, both ginseng and poria cocos should have some weight-loss benefits.

Cornus officinalis nourishes the liver and kidneys, and astringes essence to prevent prolapse. The main component of Cornus officinalis is vervainin, also known as fenestration glycoside. It has been reported that vervainin can cause loss of appetite and weight loss in animals.

Mica powder, also known as cloud pearl, cloud flower, cloud essence, cloud liquid, cloud sand, and phosphogypsum, is a silicate mineral called muscovite. It has a sweet taste and warm properties, and functions to warm the kidneys and resolve phlegm. It is also an important weight-loss drug. For example, the *Mingyi Bielu* states that it can "strengthen muscles," and "strengthening muscle texture" implies weight loss. Mica contains various chemical elements such as silicon, aluminum, iron, potassium, sodium, and magnesium. Whether the weight-loss effect of mica is related to these chemical elements requires further research.

Ginger has the function of dispersing and promoting diuresis. When combined with astragalus, they have a complementary and synergistic relationship, which can enhance the diuretic and swelling-reducing functions of astragalus.

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) believes that obesity is mostly caused by qi deficiency and stagnation. For example, Wang Ang stated, "Obese people often have phlegm and obstructed meridians, indicating poor qi circulation." The *Shi Shi Mi Lu* also says, "Obese people often have phlegm, which is due to qi deficiency. Deficiency prevents qi circulation, thus phlegm is produced." Therefore, the key cause of obesity lies in qi deficiency and stagnation. Hence, this formula uses Astragalus membranaceus, which can both replenish qi and promote diuresis, as its main ingredient. TCM also believes that fluid metabolism is most closely related to the lungs, spleen, and kidneys. Therefore, in addition to Astragalus membranaceus to tonify the lungs and spleen, the formula also uses ginseng, Poria cocos, and licorice to strengthen the spleen and eliminate dampness, and Cornus officinalis and mica to tonify the kidneys and resolve phlegm. Currently, commonly used weight-loss drugs in clinical practice are mostly central nervous system stimulants and appetite suppressants. Besides these, diuretics and lipid-lowering agents are also commonly used. This formula can both stimulate the central nervous system and promote energy metabolism, as well as suppress appetite and promote diuresis. From a modern pharmacological perspective, this formula should have a certain weight-loss effect. This prescription is suitable for obesity caused by qi deficiency and dampness obstruction, and is especially suitable for simple obesity caused by edema as described in Western medicine.

Those with phlegm-dampness obstruction, kidney heat accumulation, or those with simple obesity of the solid type as described in medicine should avoid or use with caution.

2. Secret Formulas for Treating Fertility Problems

"Obesity treatment" refers to the illness of obese people.

The prescription uses 3 liang of ginseng, 5 liang of atractylodes macrocephala, 2 liang of poria cocos, 5 liang of coix seed, 5 liang of euryale seed, 8 liang of prepared rehmannia root, 4 liang of cornus officinalis, 1 liang of schisandra chinensis, 3 liang of eucommia ulmoides, 2 liang of scutellaria baicalensis, 5 qian of amomum villosum, 1 liang of alpinia oxyphylla, 3 liang of white mustard seed, and 1 liang of tangerine peel. Grind each ingredient into powder, make into pills with flour, and take 5 qian with boiled water daily.

[Note] This formula originates from Chen Shiduo's *Shishi Milu* (Secret Records of the Stone Chamber) from the Qing Dynasty. Originally named "Feizhi Fang" (Formula for Treating Fertility), it is prefixed with "Milu" (Secret Records) to distinguish it from other formulas with the same name. The formula contains ginseng, atractylodes macrocephala, poria cocos, amomum villosum, and coix seed to invigorate the spleen and promote diuresis. Ginseng is a recognized tonic, enhancing the excitatory process of the cerebral cortex. Its excitatory effect on the cerebral cortex is stronger than that of amphetamines, caffeine, dibazol, strychnine, etc., and it can also promote energy metabolism, enhance tissue respiration, and promote glycolysis. Atractylodes macrocephala and poria cocos also have diuretic effects.

Rehmannia glutinosa, Cornus officinalis, and Eucommia ulmoides are all used to tonify the liver and kidneys. Rehmannia glutinosa, according to ancient Chinese medicine texts, is a rich and nourishing herb that often causes "fullness in the middle abdomen and impaired appetite," meaning it has a certain appetite-suppressing effect. Verbenin contained in Cornus officinalis has been pharmacologically proven to suppress appetite and aid in weight loss.

Euryale ferox and Alpinia oxyphylla nourish the spleen and kidneys. Schisandra chinensis nourishes the kidneys and lungs and is also a well-known tonic. Pharmacological experiments have shown that Schisandra chinensis has an excitatory effect on the central nervous system at different levels, and its effect is stronger than that of ginseng. Schisandra chinensis can also promote gluconeogenesis and accelerate the breakdown of liver glycogen. In addition, Schisandra chinensis also has an "adaptogen"-like effect, which can not only improve the body's non-specific defense capabilities, but also regulate the pathological process of diseases, making them tend to normalize.

White mustard seed and tangerine peel function to dry dampness and resolve phlegm. Cinnamon plays an important role in the formula. As stated in the original text: "The excellence of this formula lies entirely in the wonder of cinnamon, which lies in replenishing the fire of the pericardium and the gate of life. When the fire of the pericardium is sufficient, it can naturally open the stomach to eliminate phlegm. When the fire of the gate of life is sufficient, it can strengthen the spleen to remove dampness. Moreover, the formula is purely for tonifying the kidneys and heart. Cinnamon, among the tonifying herbs, acts in harmony with nature, allowing water to return to its proper channels, so where will phlegm accumulate?"