Detailed Explanation of Commonly Used Traditional Chinese Medicines for Weight Loss (Part 1): Pharmacology and Application of Ginseng, Astragalus, Angelica, and Polygonum Multiflorum

Research has shown that there are many drugs and foods that can help with weight loss. Here, we introduce some commonly used weight loss drugs and foods for readers to choose from.

Ginseng: This product is the dried root of the ginseng plant, a herbaceous plant belonging to the Araliaceae family. It contains ginsenosides, ginseng acid, volatile oils, sugars, choline, niacin, vitamin B₁, and vitamin B₂, among other components. It can enhance the excitatory process of the cerebral cortex while also strengthening the inhibitory process, thus improving the efficiency of mental work. It can enhance the body's resistance to harmful stimuli, improve anti-fatigue ability, and has cardiotonic and hematopoietic-promoting effects. It also promotes gonadal function and is a weight-loss aid. It is a commonly used ingredient in medicinal cuisine, such as ginseng porridge and ginseng and jujube soup.

Astragalus: This product is the dried root of Astragalus membranaceus or Astragalus mongholicus, belonging to the legume family. It contains sucrose, glucuronic acid, mucilage, amino acids, bitter substances, choline, betaine, and folic acid, etc. It has the effects of enhancing the body's resistance, strengthening the heart, lowering blood pressure, promoting diuresis, protecting the liver, and aiding weight loss. Medicinal diets include Astragalus soup, Astragalus black-boned chicken soup, and Astragalus winter melon soup.

Yam: This product is the tuber of the yam plant (Dioscorea opposita), containing saponins, mucilage, choline, and starch, among other components. It has spleen-strengthening and stomach-nourishing effects, and can also lower blood sugar, thus aiding in weight loss. Medicinal dietary methods include yam porridge, yam stewed with pork pancreas (for treating diabetes), and yam stewed with winter melon.

White hyacinth bean: This product is the seed of the hyacinth bean plant, a legume. It contains protein, fat, carbohydrates, calcium, phosphorus, iron, zinc, pantothenic acid, cyanogenic glycosides, and tyrosinase, among other components. It has the effects of strengthening the spleen and stomach, relieving summer heat, and eliminating dampness. Medicinal diets include hyacinth bean drink, hyacinth bean and red date soup, hyacinth bean summer-clearing soup, and hyacinth bean stomach-benefiting drink.

Angelica sinensis: This product is the root of the Angelica sinensis plant, belonging to the Apiaceae family. It contains volatile oil, sucrose, vitamin B12, vitamin A derivatives, stearic acid, unsaturated oleic acid, and linoleic acid, among other components. It has the effects of regulating uterine contractions, protecting the liver, sedation, combating vitamin E deficiency, antibacterial properties, and weight loss. Medicinal dietary methods include: Angelica sinensis stewed black-boned chicken, Angelica sinensis stewed quail, and Angelica sinensis and amaranth soup.

Polygonum multiflorum (He Shou Wu): This product is the tuberous root of the herbaceous plant Polygonum multiflorum (Polygonaceae family). It contains anthraquinones (mainly rhein, emodin, and chrysophanic acid), lecithin, starch, and crude fiber. It can lower serum cholesterol and alleviate the formation of atherosclerosis; its lecithin has a tonic effect on nerves, a laxative effect, and an adrenocortical hormone-like effect. It has an inhibitory effect on Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Shigella flexneri, and also has a weight-loss effect. Medicinal diets include Polygonum multiflorum and black bean soup, Polygonum multiflorum drink, Polygonum multiflorum and red date drink, and Polygonum multiflorum porridge.

Goji berries: This product is the mature fruit of the Lycium barbarum or Lycium chinense var. ningxiaense, a shrub belonging to the Solanaceae family. It contains carotene, vitamin C, vitamin B₁, vitamin B₂, calcium carbonate, β-sitosterol, and linoleic acid, among other components. It has the effects of lowering blood sugar and cholesterol; it also aids in weight loss. Medicinal dietary methods include shredded pork with goji berries, goji berry porridge, and goji berry drinks.

Ophiopogon japonicus: This product consists of small tuberous roots from the fibrous roots of the lily family plant Ophiopogon japonicus. It contains various steroidal saponins, mucilage, glucosinolates, β-sitosterol, and vitamin A-like substances. It has the effects of nourishing yin and resolving phlegm, strengthening the heart and promoting diuresis, and is a commonly used traditional Chinese medicine for obesity. Dietary uses include Ophiopogon japonicus drink, Ophiopogon japonicus and Plum drink, and Ophiopogon japonicus and Imperata cylindrica drink.

Polygonatum odoratum: This product is the rhizome of the Polygonatum odoratum plant, belonging to the Liliaceae family. It contains convalescent glycoside, convalescent glycoside, kaempferol, quercetin, vitamin A, starch, and mucilage. Small amounts have a cardiotonic effect, while large amounts can inhibit the heart and lower blood sugar, thus aiding in weight loss. Medicinal dietary uses include Polygonatum odoratum drink, Polygonatum odoratum heart fruit drink, and Polygonatum odoratum and plum drink.

Privet fruit: This product is the fruit of the privet plant (Ligustrum lucidum), a member of the Oleaceae family. It contains oleanolic acid, mannitol, glucose, and fatty acids, among other components. It has cardiotonic, antitumor, diuretic, hepatoprotective, and weight-loss effects. Medicinal dietary methods include privet fruit drink, privet fruit stewed with winter melon, and privet fruit stewed with quail.

Eclipta prostrata: This product is the whole herb of Eclipta prostrata, a plant in the Asteraceae family. It contains saponins, volatile oils, tannins, vitamin A, and ecliptaecarpa extract, among other components. It has the effects of nourishing yin and blood, stopping bleeding, and also aiding in weight loss. Medicinal dietary methods include Eclipta prostrata drink, Eclipta prostrata and hyacinth bean soup, and Eclipta prostrata and Imperata cylindrica root soup.