How to Lose Weight Naturally with Traditional Chinese Medicine

Weight loss is the most popular topic once the new year comes around and boy is there a lot to unload (figuratively and literally)! This topic is greatly misunderstood and it is best to take a holistic approach.  

What does a holistic approach mean? Essentially, it involves examining your habits and lifestyle. What can you commit to, and what will best serve your well-being? What are your weight loss goals? What barriers are preventing you from adopting healthier eating habits? Really look at yourself to see a bigger picture so you can make small, approachable changes rather than deciding something drastic like a yo-yo diet or spending a lot of time or money on things that won’t be easy to start. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), practitioners begin with the big picture and then delve into the individual’s unique body type to tailor solutions.

TCM Perspective: How Energy Flow Impacts Weight Loss

The body’s energy system offers insight into what’s happening internally and guides the best approach for weight management. It tells us how you process energy. This also explains why we feel the pulse and look at the tongue.  Both give us a lens of what is happening internally. Everything is energy, providing a solid foundation for personalized weight loss strategies. The TCM metaphor “you are what you eat” highlights the importance of diet in overall health. A nutritious diet leads to wellness, with underlying factors carefully considered in TCM.

An imbalance can result in “dampness,” a condition I often compare to “Houston humidity” in my practice. Symptoms include sluggish digestion, bloating, mental fog, heaviness in the body (feeling like dragging your legs when walking), water retention, low energy, and sticky or incomplete bowel movements. Dampness can evolve into phlegm, leading to chronic conditions where you might experience frequent illnesses, seasonal allergies, or a heavy feeling in the stomach along with digestive discomfort. All of this leads to the inability to lose weight. 

Identifying and Addressing Energetic Blocks

The body’s channels and meridians should be free-flowing, the energy is moving like a river.  An energetic block can mean stagnation and stuck energy means a slower metabolism, difficulty losing weight, reduced digestive efficiency (constipation or bloating), decreased energy level (hard to awaken, feeling lack of desire or motivation), and emotional eating patterns like cravings or unable to stop eating.  

We live in a time where there is a surplus of misinformation and it is difficult to know where to begin. Let’s break it down and talk about how Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) approaches proper weight loss practice. 

Here are my Top 5 Tips for Weight Loss:

1. Water. Not only should you be drinking enough water, but you also need to know when to drink it. You’ve probably heard the old wives’ tale of waking up and drinking a glass of room-temperature water with a squeeze of lemon to flush out toxins. This is one way. Another helpful tip is to drink water before and after your meal, NOT during. Many times, you can confuse hunger with thirst. Additionally, drinking water before a meal can help you feel fuller, reducing the amount you eat!

2. Mindful Chewing. By chewing well and slowly, not only will you help your body begin the digestion process, but you’ll also truly taste your food. Take smaller bites, take your time, and chew food until it’s a smooth, mush-like consistency. When you chew fast food well, you might realize how bad it tastes, making you crave it less! Chewing thoroughly allows the release of more saliva and enzymes to break down food further. This important step helps your body digest food properly, leading to less stomach discomfort and easier bowel movements. It also helps prevent bloating. By breaking down the food in your mouth, you relieve your stomach of some of its workload, allowing the other digestive organs to do their jobs effectively. This process signals your brain that you are getting full. Not chewing well can cause symptoms such as heartburn, acid reflux, bacterial overgrowth, diarrhea, constipation, overeating, and blood sugar imbalance. If you are a fast eater and don’t chew much, try counting your chews—around 40 chews per bite is a good gauge.

3. Balanced Diet. Diets are often fads and may not be suitable for everyone. Find the right balance by consistently eating healthier foods. If that sounds difficult, try practicing this from Monday to Friday. In TCM, a good way to start is by eating the rainbow and consuming warm, cooked foods. This is especially important for those who eat a lot of salads or raw foods. In winter, it’s crucial to eat warm, cooked foods, as raw foods can be difficult to digest. It is highly recommended to avoid gluten and dairy because they are inflammatory. Aim to eat 3-5 times a day, with a small snack if needed after breakfast or in the afternoon. Dinner should be light so that you’re not overly full at bedtime. Increasing protein intake can help you feel fuller longer and aid in weight loss.

4. Eat in season and follow the sun. Eating seasonal foods can introduce variety and provide a break from your usual diet. Additionally, only eating during daylight hours, from sunrise to sundown, aligns with your body’s internal clock or circadian rhythm. This practice helps shorten the eating window, serves as a reference for when it’s too late to eat, and promotes better sleep (who can sleep well when full?). As nighttime approaches, melatonin, the sleep hormone, rises, suppressing insulin and making it harder for your body to regulate blood sugar. Conversely, eating while the sun is out allows your body to process food more efficiently.   

5. Movement.  Do what feels right to you. A minimum of 30 minutes per day is required for a healthy heart, and a lot more if you’re trying to lose weight! The beginning of the day or after dinner are the best times for exercise. Even if it’s just a walk around your neighborhood, getting some sun, breathing fresh air, and burning calories can be therapeutic in many ways!

How Acupuncture Supports Weight Loss

Acupuncture ensures that the body systems are free-flowing, removing stagnation and helping all the channels and meridians to flow and be balanced. This is achieved not only through acupuncture but also with the use of herbs and supplements. Herbs and supplements can aid digestion before and after you eat by reminding the body of its functions and supporting organs in breaking down substances and chemicals to ensure proper digestion. Herbs can also help reduce inflammation and adjust the body to the right pH and temperature.

Acu stickers can be used to combat cravings and activate acupuncture points for up to 48 hours. They assist the spleen and stomach in removing stagnation and supplementing what is missing. Ear seeds offer similar benefits and are a great tool for weight loss. I have had success using ear seeds daily and while traveling. The ear is a microcosm of the body and can reveal areas of stagnation. Utilizing one or a combination of these tools is essential for long-term success, providing inexpensive ways to see results.

Effective Herbal Remedies for Natural Weight Loss

My favorite herbs for weight loss are ginger, poria, berberine, and hawthorn berry. These four traditional medicine herbs have many uses but are also excellent for aiding in weight loss. 

• Ginger can be taken in tea form over the counter and helps settle an achy stomach, warm the belly, improve immunity, assist when you’re already sick, and reduce water retention. 
• Poria is remarkable for addressing dampness and phlegm; it supplements the spleen and harmonizes the digestive system. It also helps calm the spirit, particularly relating to the heart. This can be beneficial for those experiencing a broken heart from a breakup, losing a loved one, or facing significant sadness.
• Berberine has gained popularity on social media for its weight loss abilities as it clears out what is stuck, making it great for severe constipation, food poisoning, or dysentery. However, it should be taken with caution as it is not for long-term use and can be very drying. 
• Hawthorn berry aids in the digestion of fatty foods and is also known for helping with period cramps. Traditional herbs, often combined and taken in capsule form to minimize side effects, are highly effective for weight loss and can also ease stress and anxiety.

Supplement Spotlight: Sweet Change for Curbing Cravings and Detoxifying the Body

Another favorite supplement for weight loss is Sweet Change. Produced by an acupuncturist in Austin, this high-grade herbal supplement spray is a game-changer. Not only does it combat food cravings, but it also helps with addiction, including smoking, drug, and alcohol addiction, as well as behavioral issues. Sweet Change addresses sugar cravings, blood sugar regulation, and detoxifies the liver, which can help calm the mind. While the spray may not taste great initially due to its bitterness, over time, you will notice a change as your taste buds begin to block the taste of sweets and sugar by neutralizing them.

The average American diet typically lacks bitter or sour flavors, both of which are crucial for balancing our digestive system. By adding Sweet Change to your current diet, you’ll incorporate the necessary bitter flavor needed to regain balance and take control of your taste buds!

Embrace a Holistic Path to Sustainable Weight Loss

Achieving and maintaining a healthy weight is more than just a numbers game. It’s about aligning your lifestyle, diet, and mindset with your body’s unique needs. By adopting a holistic approach rooted in Traditional Chinese Medicine, including acupuncture, you can create lasting changes that nurture your body and mind. Acupuncture, combined with dietary adjustments and herbal remedies, can help balance your energy, reduce cravings, and improve digestion, leading to sustainable weight loss and overall wellness.

Take the first step toward achieving your health goals today by consulting with a TCM practitioner. At Natural Point Acupuncture, we take a personalized approach to guide you on your wellness journey, combining acupuncture and tailored strategies to support your unique needs. Remember, your path to health is a marathon, not a sprint—each small step brings you closer to a balanced, vibrant you. Schedule your consultation with us today, and let’s work together to unlock your full potential for lasting wellness!