Weight gain from networking/socializing
Apart from festive feasting, many working individuals especially those in the sales line, have lots of networking or socializing on a regular basis. Frequent drinking on top of sumptuous meals tend to lead to weight gain unknowingly.
In TCM perspective, this leads to a particular type of weight gain associated with damp-heat in the liver and gallbladder. The following are possible signs and symptoms:
Accumulation of fats around the waist and belly, such as a beer-belly, apple-shaped body type
Heavy-headed, tension headache, migraine
Bloodshot eyes, flushed face
Waking up with bitter taste in the mouth
Sticky stools in irregular shapes that are smelly/ strong smelling
Tendency to get vaginal/urinary tract infection, liver and gallbladder diseases such as hepatitis and gallbladder stones
Herbs and food that regulates the liver and gallbladder, and removes damp-heat
Herbs: Long Dan Cao, Huang Qin, Che Qian Zi, Yin Chen Hao, Xiao Mai, Bai He
(A tailored prescription from the physician at the clinic is recommended)
Food: spinach, cauliflower, tong hao, kiwi, mandarin orange, pomelo
Homemade herbal tea: Luo Shen Hua, Jue Ming Zi, He Ye, Shan Zha
(Brew the ingredients in equal portions, drink approximately 300ml after meal to reduce greasiness and oil accumulation)
3 acupuncture points for slimming
Fenglong (ST40): resolves phlegm and dampness that causes weight gain
8 inches up from the lateral (external) malleolus (at the midpoint of the line joining the lateral knee depression/ST35 to laternal malleolus) , two finger-breadth (middle finger) from the anterior crest of the tibia (shinbone).
Tianshu (ST25): reduces belly fats, regulates intestinal movement, removing flatulence and stubborn stools
On the abdomen, 2 inches lateral from the belly button (3 finger widths)
Daimai (GB26): reduces waist fats, removes dampness and relives backache
On the lateral side of the abdomen, where the vertical line of the free end of the 11th rib intersects the horizontal navel line
To prevent weight gain from social networking, reducing alcohol intake is essential as the calories from alcohol is comparable to that of oil. Drinking alcohol is almost as fattening as drinking oil!
To ease symptoms of hangover such as nausea, headache, and gastrointestinal discomforts, herbs such as Sha Ren, Bai Kou Ren, and Ge Hua can be considered. However, a tailored prescription from the physician at the clinic is recommended.
Note: Information provided is not a substitute for a physician or any form of medical care. Individual symptoms differ due to different body constitutions. One should consult a licensed TCM practitioner for an accurate diagnosis and treatment.
