Weight Loss with Chinese Herbs
By Farah Khan [1]
Chinese herbs can be used to influence the body’s metabolism in different
ways. Most people who need to lose weight would like to have their metabolism
run more efficiently. There are a number of herbs that can help people in their
quest for a healthier, more efficient metabolism in order to ensure that any
efforts to lose weight are blessed with success. There are three types of herbs
that can assist people trying to lose weight. The first type of herb is the
type that “transforms phlegm” in Chinese medicine terminology. These herbs can
help the body to process fats more efficiently and prevent the accumulation of
unhealthy fats and fluids in the body. Some herbs in this class that may assist
weight loss include citrus aurantium, immature citrus peel, and magnolia bark.
Glechoma and hawthorn berry can also help by “transforming phlegm”.
Citrus Aurantium contains synephrine, which has been shown to have fat-burning
properties in research done at
It improves the thermogenesis of brown fatty tissue in the body, which is
generally the fat that is the most difficult to burn off. Citrus Aurantium does
not have any negative impact on the nervous system like ephedra does. Speaking
of ephedra, I do not recommend its use for dieting. Chinese medicine has
traditionally used it for severe and acute conditions, such as asthma attacks.
It is not intended to be used as a dieting tool or to get a high. These uses
can leave a person ultimately more fatigued and adrenal-depleted in the end.
Citrus Aurantium is an infinitely safer option for those interested in weight
loss.
Other herbs that can help boost metabolic function are herbs that increase
the qi and yang energy of the body. This class of herbs includes ginseng,
astragalus, and atractylodes. Other herbs in this category include ginger,
cinnamon, epimedium and eucommia bark. These herbs can also give a person an
energy boost. This can encourage the person to remain consistent with his or
her exercise routine. These herbs also encourage healthy digestion and
generally make a person’s metabolism run faster and more efficiently. This
group of herbs can be particularly helpful for those people whose weight tends
to accumulate around the abdomen.
Detoxifying, bitter herbs are another class of herbs that can assist with
weight loss. These herbs tend to reduce inflammatory, acidic conditions in the
body that often trigger the cravings people have for inordinate quantities of
unhealthy food. These herbs are particularly useful in people who tend to have
voracious appetites for spicy, oily, and sweet foods. They also may have a
tendency towards acne or oily skin, and a slightly reddish, or ruddy complexion.
These herbs include Chinese rhubarb, coptis, and scute.
Other herbs can be used to control and balance out the emotional conditions
that trigger overeating. People who find themselves eating out of stress,
sadness, depression, anxiety, or PMS can find that these herbs balance out
their emotional life and reduce their cravings for food. These herbs include
magnolia bark, bupleurum root, mint, zizyphus and biota seeds, and longan
fruit.
Other supplements that can assist in a healthy weight loss program are kelp,
apple cider vinegar, vitamin B6, and flaxseed oil. Drinking green tea regularly
can also be quite helpful.
It is important to remember that all of these supplements are beneficial for
promoting weight loss because they promote a healthy metabolism, a healthy
energy level, a healthy digestion, and a healthy mental attitude, but that
dietary and lifestyle changes are crucial in order to see the results that you
want. Nevertheless, Chinese Medicine can be a great ally in the quest to shed
pounds more efficiently.
Dr. Farah Khan, DOM is a Doctor of Oriental Medicine practicing in
Mexico
to different health conditions at her web site at http://www.yinessence.com/home.htm [2],
including FormuSlim and Citrus Aurantium for weight loss. She can be reached at
farah@yinessence.com [3].
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Farah_Khan [4]