Gentle treatment for simple obesity: Fat-reducing recipes such as Codonopsis pilosula, Ganoderma lucidum, and Hericium erinaceus soup, and bitter melon and tomato soup.

Since ancient times, obesity has been associated with good fortune, happiness, joy, and happiness. Seeing someone become much fatter was described as "getting fat"; the happy and joyful expression of an obese person was called "fat head and droopy ears"; because their appearance was more prominent than others, they were called "fat boy," "fat man," "fat woman," "fat girl," etc.; someone who had made a lot of money was said to be "fatter than a pig's head." However, today, people's image of obesity has undergone a complete 180-degree change. The former joyful and happy image has been gradually forgotten; instead, obesity has become a "negative" term.

Modern medical research indicates that obesity easily induces other diseases, such as hypertension, diabetes, gallstones, hyperlipidemia, high cholesterol, sleep apnea, fatty liver, menstrual disorders, low libido, gout, back pain, leg pain, stroke, cancer, and sudden death. It can even shorten lifespan and accelerate the process of dying. Every time I see or hear reports about obesity, I'm shocked, as if not losing weight will bring disaster and endless illness. However, looking at my obese relatives and friends, they eat and drink well, live carefree lives, are active, and full of energy; when they go for physical examinations, apart from being slightly overweight, everything else is normal. Although they are obese, they appear very healthy, making me doubt the reliability of the results of these medical studies.

In fact, obesity can be very complex, or it can be very simple. Obesity can combine with endocrine disorders, organ dysfunction, and pathological factors, resulting in complex physiological and pathological changes, leading to bodily dysfunction, metabolic disorders, and a host of diseases. This type of obesity is often related to secondary or pathological obesity.

Obesity can also be very simple. Simple means that the condition is mild, there is no obvious endocrine disorder, the functions of the internal organs are generally normal, the overall metabolic function is also normal, the obesity is not linked to complex pathological factors, it is just that the weight is 20% or more above the standard, and everything else is normal. This is called "simple obesity", and this kind of obesity can be considered relatively healthy.

Simple obesity does not involve complex pathological changes, therefore, its causes are simple and typical. Generally speaking, simple obesity is more common in young people or healthy individuals, and the causes are related to lack of exercise or excessive calorie intake. By increasing exercise to burn fat and controlling diet to reduce calorie intake, weight loss should be achieved quickly. The more complex the pathological obesity, the more difficult it is to estimate the weight loss effect; however, patients with simple obesity generally have normal bodily functions, no metabolic disorders, and no organ dysfunction, making it relatively easy to lose weight and reduce fat with determination.

The more complex the pathological obesity, the more uneven the distribution of fat, in addition to organ dysfunction and endocrine disorders. For example, patients with buffalo hump obesity have bodies as large as buffaloes, but very thin limbs; people with a predisposition to heart disease and obesity gradually lose their waist-to-hip ratio; and patients with edema-type obesity primarily exhibit lower limb obesity. For individuals with simple obesity, bodily functions are relatively normal, and their bodies can be considered healthy. Therefore, fat distribution is more even. However, certain areas of the body are more prone to fat accumulation or storage. For example, the face, abdomen, waist, buttocks, and thighs can also be relatively obese. Therefore, individuals with simple obesity may also be slightly overweight in these areas.

Among various types of obesity, simple obesity can be considered a healthy form. However, don't be too happy too soon. Simple obesity may be a transitional phase, and the obesity can continue to develop. As obesity worsens, endocrine, metabolic, and organ functions will inevitably be affected. If simple obesity is left untreated, it can also develop into pathological obesity.

Simple obesity and corresponding herbal decoction:

(1) Codonopsis pilosula, Tiger Milk Ganoderma lucidum, and Hericium erinaceus Soup. Serves: 4. Ingredients: 1 tael of Codonopsis pilosula, 1 tael of Tiger Milk Ganoderma lucidum, 1 tael of Hericium erinaceus, 1 snakehead fish. Preparation: Simmer in 12 bowls of water for 2 hours. Benefits: Nourishes vital energy, lowers lipids and aids weight loss.

Prince ginseng has a sweet and slightly bitter taste, and is neutral in nature. It has the effects of tonifying qi and strengthening the spleen, nourishing the stomach, and promoting the production of body fluids. Ginseng has the effect of tonifying qi, which can enhance energy, strengthen the ability to burn fat, and also has the effect of lowering lipids. Therefore, it can be used to lower lipids and lose weight. However, there are many varieties of ginseng. Prince ginseng can be taken by men, women, children, the whole family, and people with cold or hot constitutions. The ancients believed that the effects of prince ginseng were the same as those of ginseng, only that its medicinal power was slightly weaker. However, this is also an advantage of prince ginseng, because many people may experience "resistance" or "inability to tolerate tonics" after taking ginseng, while these situations rarely occur when taking prince ginseng.

Tiger milk lingzhi has a sweet and bland taste, and its functions include nourishing the five internal organs, strengthening the body, calming the mind, consolidating the foundation, promoting longevity, and removing dampness and toxins. Lingzhi is a well-known herb, possessing properties such as lowering lipids, protecting the liver, calming the mind, boosting immunity, and anti-cancer effects. While lingzhi is famous for its benefits, it has a slightly bitter taste. Tiger milk lingzhi, however, is different. Its effects are similar to lingzhi, and it is even better at nourishing lung qi. Moreover, its taste is mild and not bitter at all, making it more suitable for use in soups.

Hericium erinaceus (monkey head mushroom) has a sweet taste and neutral properties. It nourishes the spleen and stomach, aids digestion, benefits the five internal organs, and calms the mind, making it a mild tonic. Hericium erinaceus has many other names. Since ancient times, it has been a renowned medicinal food, even considered on par with bird's nest. Modern research indicates that Hericium erinaceus can treat insomnia, neurasthenia, indigestion, and peptic ulcers. It can also lower lipids, aid weight loss, and lower blood sugar. Furthermore, it can boost immunity, has effects on cancer and liver disease, and possesses anti-aging properties.

(2) Bitter Melon, Tomato, and Soybean Soup. Serves: 4. Ingredients: 1/2 lb bitter melon, 1/2 lb tomatoes, 2 oz soybeans, 1 piece of lean pork. Cooking method: Simmer in 12 bowls of water for 2 hours. Efficacy: Nourishes Yin and clears heat, lowers blood sugar and lipids.

Bitter melon has a bitter taste, but it's bittersweet, a bittersweet flavor. Also known as "cooling melon," it's excellent for relieving summer heat due to its cooling properties. In addition, bitter melon can quench thirst, promote saliva production, detoxify, improve eyesight, heal sores, relieve irritability, benefit the heart, treat athlete's foot, and aid digestion. Studies indicate that bitter melon also has good blood sugar lowering effects, helping to prevent diabetes and obesity. If you don't like it too bitter, you can blanch the bitter melon before making soup; this will reduce the bitterness. However, reducing the bitterness will also slightly diminish its medicinal effects.

Tomatoes are sweet and sour, and slightly cold in nature. They have the effects of quenching thirst, promoting saliva production, aiding digestion, clearing heat and detoxifying, cooling the blood and calming the liver, relieving summer heat and irritability, and benefiting the kidneys and promoting urination. In addition, tomatoes also have beauty and weight loss benefits. They have anti-aging properties, prevent age spots, and prevent pigmentation, making them an excellent beauty food. Tomatoes also contain organic acids such as citric acid and malic acid, which can promote fat breakdown and prevent obesity, high blood lipids, high blood pressure, and coronary heart disease. If you want to be beautiful and lose weight, you might as well eat more tomatoes.

Soybeans have been a well-known health food since ancient times. They are sweet in taste and neutral in nature, possessing properties that promote blood circulation, diuresis, strengthen the spleen and stomach, and tonify the kidneys and detoxify. In recent years, soybeans have become a popular health and weight-loss food because they are rich in nutrients, can lower lipids and cholesterol, and can prevent high blood pressure, arteriosclerosis, and heart disease. Some people experience bloating and a feeling of fullness after consuming soybeans due to their stomach-soothing effect. However, those trying to lose weight may prefer them because the feeling of fullness naturally reduces the desire to eat more, yet they still won't lack nutrition.