Follow a healthy, balanced diet to maintain healthy Spleen functions. Avoid overeating. In TCM, the Spleen and the Stomach are the primary organs responsible for digestion. Eating too much food may affect the digestive organs and disrupt their normal functions. When these organs fail to handle the extra load, problems like poor digestion, slow metabolism, food stagnation, internal Phlegm and dampness may follow.

To stimulate the secretion of digestive fluids and break down fatty substances, we can consume Unripe Orange Fruit (Zhishi, 枳实), Hawthorn Berry (Shanzha, 山楂), Rangooncreeper Fruit (Shijunzi, 使君子), Radish Seed (Laifuzi, 莱菔子), Tangerine Peel (Chenpi, 陈皮) and Hawthorn Berry (Shanzha, 山楂).

Our bodies have to be able to excrete waste regularly to prevent stagnation and weight problems.

Herbs such as Black Sesame (Heizhima, 黑芝麻), Radish Seed (Laifuzi, 莱菔子),
Peach Seed (Taoren, 桃仁), Biota Seed (Baiziren, 柏子仁) and Rhubarb (Dahuang, 大黄) are commonly used to relax the bowels and ease constipation.

A bloated appearance, puffiness and weight gain may be caused by fluid retention in the body. One way to get rid of excessive water or dampness is to take herbs that induce urination, such as Coix Barley (Yiyiren, 薏苡仁), Red Bean (Hongdou, 红豆), Inula Flower (Xuanfuhua, 旋 覆花), Plantain Seed (CheQianzi, 车前子), Rice Bean (Chixiaodou, 赤小豆), Senna Leaf (Fanxieye, 番泻叶) and White Atractylodes (Baizhu, 白术).

Warming up the body through exercise or foods can also help to resolve water retention and dampness. Herbs with warm or hot energy and a pungent taste can warm the body, increase perspiration and induce urination. Cinnamon Bark (Rougui, 肉桂), Ginger (Jiang, 姜), Areca Peel (Dafupi, 大腹皮) and Unripe Orange Fruit (Zhishi, 枳实) are commonly used for these purposes.

Acupuncture is effective in managing imbalances that cause weight problems. The treatment, which employs the use of needles applied to selected acupuncture points, can promote digestion, raise the metabolic rate, control the appetite and invigorate the Spleen.

Located on and in the ear are five acupoints—namely hunger, endocrine, spleen, stomach and the master-point, the divine gate (shenmen)—that have direct links to all the major systems associated with obesity-related body dispositions. Ear seeds can be pasted on the ear by TCM physicians to stimulate the acupoints.

Avoid eating excessive sweet, greasy, raw and chilled foods. Avoid drinking chilled beverages. Overconsumption of chilled and raw foods affects Spleen functions, and may contribute to the stagnation of fluids and create more phlegm.

Sweet and greasy foods can create excessive Phlegm and Heat in the body, TCM treatment is unique as there is rarely a one-size-fits all solution due to different profile, root cause and body constitution. It is thus advisable to consult a registered TCM physician for accurate diagnosis, treatment and consumption of any herbal prescriptions.