Herbalite™

TCM herbal formula for weight loss and obesity — suppresses appetite; speeds up body metabolism; increases energy; mild diuretic; clears Stomach heat; cleanses the bowels; detoxifies residual toxins; lowers blood glucose and cholesterol

⚠️ Contraindicated during pregnancy and nursing. Contains Cha Ye (Folium Camelliae / green tea) — a small amount of caffeine is present as a natural ingredient. Contains Da Huang (Radix et Rhizoma Rhei): do not use if you have or develop diarrhea, loose stools, or abdominal pain — Da Huang may worsen these conditions. Consult your physician if you have frequent diarrhea or if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a medical condition. Discontinue once the desired effect is achieved.

CLINICAL APPLICATIONS

* Obesity with excess appetite and constant craving for food (Stomach heat)

* Obesity with elevated glucose and cholesterol levels

Background: Obesity is excess body fat and body weight caused by a combination of genetic predisposition and chronic imbalance of energy intake (diet) and expenditure (exercise). Complications include cardiovascular disorders, diabetes mellitus, fatty liver and cirrhosis, osteoarthritis, psychological disorders, and premature death. Treatment options include dietary modifications, lifestyle changes (exercise), and, if necessary, use of herbs and/or drugs.

TCM perspective: Obesity is characterized by Stomach heat, dampness, and phlegm stagnation — often with Spleen qi deficiency and Liver qi stagnation. Treatment focuses on clearing Stomach heat, purging yangming, harmonizing shaoyang, dissolving dampness and phlegm, and suppressing appetite.

Clinical notes: Herbalite is designed for gradual, safe weight loss — individuals lose an average of one pound per week. Do not attempt rapid weight loss, which is hazardous and more likely to lead to rebound weight gain. It is extremely important to change dietary and exercise habits to sustain results. This formula is used mainly to reduce appetite in patients with Stomach heat — if the overweight issue is due to hormonal imbalance or thyroid dysfunction, a different formula should be used instead.

Key herb-level clinical data:

— Chai Hu (Radix Bupleuri / Bupleurum): principal herb — harmonizes the shaoyang; clears heat from the Gallbladder (shaoyang)

— Huang Qin (Radix Scutellariae / Scutellaria / Skullcap): harmonizes the shaoyang; clears Gallbladder heat

— Da Huang (Radix et Rhizoma Rhei / Rhubarb Root): purges heat from the Stomach (yangming); activates qi circulation; dispels hardened stools; laxative

— Zhi Shi (Fructus Aurantii Immaturus / Immature Bitter Orange): purges heat from the Stomach (yangming); activates qi circulation; dispels hardened stools

— Bai Shao (Radix Paeoniae Alba / White Peony / Paeoniflorin): relieves abdominal pain due to constipation; harmonizes qi and blood; relieves depression and fidgeting; antihyperglycemic — insulin independent (plasma insulin unchanged); lowers total cholesterol, LDL, and triglycerides

— He Ye (Folium Nelumbinis / Lotus Leaf / Nelumbo Nucifera): dissolves and eliminates dampness; reduces body weight and lipid accumulation; inhibits FAS and lipid-regulated enzymes; impairs digestion of lipids and carbohydrates; accelerates lipid metabolism; up-regulates energy expenditure; enhances insulin secretion (hyperglycemia control); potent antioxidant; treats hyperlipidemia, hypercholesterolemia, and fatty liver — efficacy similar to silymarin and simvastatin (Zocor)

— Cha Ye (Folium Camelliae / Green Tea / Camellia Sinensis): increases basal body metabolism; burns excess fat; inhibits COMT, acetyl-CoA carboxylase, and FAS; impedes fat absorption via the gut; lowers fasting plasma glucose, triglycerides, and insulin; lowers LDL cholesterol and cardiovascular risk factors (BP↓, LDL↓, serum amyloid-α↓, malondialdehyde↓); antioxidant; prevents obesity, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease

— Ji Xue Cao (Herba Centellae / Gotu Kola / Centella Asiatica): increases basal body metabolism; burns excess fat

— Huang Qi (Radix Astragali / Astragalus): adaptogenic — enhances overall well-being; hypoglycemic — lowers plasma glucose, alleviates insulin resistance; antiobesity; hypolipidemic; increases basal metabolic rate and cAMP

— Ci Wu Jia (Radix et Rhizoma seu Caulis Acanthopanacis Senticosi / Eleuthero / Siberian Ginseng): adaptogenic — increases energy, protects against toxins and free radicals, treats atherosclerosis; hypoglycemic — stimulates pancreatic cells, augments insulin release; reduces plasma glucose; increases human physical working capacity

— Zao Jiao (Fructus Gleditsiae / Gleditsia / Honeylocust): dries dampness; breaks down fat; dissipates phlegm stagnation

— Da Zao (Fructus Jujubae / Jujube / Red Date): harmonizes the formula

— Sheng Jiang (Rhizoma Zingiberis Recens / Fresh Ginger): harmonizes the formula

WESTERN THERAPEUTIC ACTIONS

* Appetite suppression / metabolism boost — Cha Ye (COMT↓, FAS↓, fat absorption↓, metabolism↑); He Ye (lipid metabolism↑, energy expenditure↑, FAS↓); Ji Xue Cao (basal metabolism↑)

* Hypoglycemic — Bai Shao (antihyperglycemic, insulin independent); Huang Qi (plasma glucose↓, insulin resistance↓); Ci Wu Jia (pancreatic stimulation, insulin release↑); He Ye (insulin secretion↑, catechin)

* Hypolipidemic / antiobesity — Cha Ye (LDL↓, triglycerides↓, total cholesterol↓); Bai Shao (total cholesterol↓, LDL↓, triglycerides↓); He Ye (hyperlipidemia↓, hypercholesterolemia↓, fatty liver↓); Huang Qi (antiobesity, hypolipidemic)

* Laxative / bowel cleanse — Da Huang + Zhi Shi (Stomach heat purge, hardened stools↓, qi circulation↑)

* Diuretic — He Ye (dampness elimination, water accumulation↓)

* Adaptogenic / energy — Huang Qi + Ci Wu Jia (well-being↑, energy↑, physical working capacity↑, metabolic rate↑)

* Antioxidant / cardiovascular — Cha Ye (BP↓, LDL↓, serum amyloid-α↓, malondialdehyde↓); He Ye (oxidative stress↓, diabetic complications↓)

CHINESE THERAPEUTIC ACTIONS

* Harmonizes shaoyang; clears Gallbladder heat (Chai Hu, Huang Qin)

* Purges Stomach (yangming) heat; cleanses bowels; dispels hardened stools (Da Huang, Zhi Shi)

* Dissolves and eliminates dampness (He Ye, Zao Jiao)

* Dissipates phlegm stagnation; breaks down fat (Zao Jiao)

* Harmonizes qi and blood; relieves pain and depression (Bai Shao)

* Tonifies qi; enhances well-being; adaptogenic (Huang Qi, Ci Wu Jia)

* Harmonizes formula (Da Zao, Sheng Jiang)

DOSAGE

Standard: 3–4 capsules on an empty stomach, half an hour before meals, with a large glass of water. Avoid eating any food or snacks after dinner and for the last 3–4 hours before bedtime. Discontinue once the desired effect is achieved.

Supplementary formulas: High cholesterol — add Cholisma. High cholesterol and fatty liver — add Cholisma (ES). Edema and water accumulation — add Herbal DRX. Constipation — combine with Gentle Lax (Excess) or Gentle Lax (Deficient). Hypertension — add Gastrodia Complex or Gentiana Complex. Diabetes — combine with Equilibrium. Boost energy and awareness — add Vibrant or Imperial Tonic. Excess fire — add Gardenia Complex. Excess damp and phlegm — add Pinellia Complex. Periodic intestinal detox — add GI DTX.

Nutrition: Include more complex carbohydrates: tofu, potatoes, sesame seeds, beans, brown rice, and whole grains. Consume large quantities of fresh fruits and vegetables. Drink 6–8 glasses of water daily. Drink tea (especially pu-er, green, oolong, and black tea) to flush oils from the intestines. Decrease red meat, fatty foods, processed or fried foods, and sugary foods (soda, pastries, pies, doughnuts, candy). Eat small, frequent meals; eat slowly and chew thoroughly.

Tao of Nutrition (Dr. Maoshing Ni and Cathy McNease): Substitute quinoa for all other grains except amaranth. Eat sweet rice cake (mochi) — a small amount is very filling. Eat spelt and oat bran cereals and eliminate all refined starch from the diet.

Lifestyle: Regular exercise is essential — it stimulates the glands, improves energy levels, normalizes metabolic functions, reduces fat, and burns calories. In the shower, use a luffa to massage the body in circular motion from the toes to the heart, then the fingers to the heart — follow the channels and spend extra time on areas with the most fat deposits to enhance circulation and break up stagnation. After the shower, soak in a tub warmer than 42°C (108°F) to stimulate the sympathetic nervous system and increase metabolism — do not soak until dizzy. Rinse with cold water for at least 20–30 seconds to tighten muscle tone. Note: individuals with wei (defensive) qi deficiency or frequent colds should gradually lower water temperature rather than switching abruptly from hot to cold.

CASE STUDIES

— 48-year-old female (J.U.): Weight gain, strong appetite, low energy; no thyroid or other imbalances; dampness. Herbalite for over a year. Result: considerable weight loss, decreased appetite, improved energy, increased activity level.

— 59-year-old female (M.L.): Post-menopausal obesity, cravings for sweets, difficulty controlling diet; 219 lbs, 5'0"; deep thready pulse, swollen pale tongue; Spleen qi deficiency with Kidney yin deficiency. Herbalite 4 capsules 2x/day. Result: lost 5 lbs week 1, 8 lbs week 3; continued improving diet and exercise.

— 52-year-old female (J.P.): Obesity, desire to lose weight; 210 lbs, BP 136/80; slippery deep pulse, swollen pale scalloped tongue; dampness and phlegm. Herbalite 4 capsules 2x/day. Result after 2 weeks: lost 2 lbs, decreased appetite.

— 53-year-old female business owner: Low energy, muscle pain, low back pain, 45 lbs overweight; slow pulse, pale swollen tongue with thin white coat; Kidney yang deficiency, qi deficiency, Liver yang excess (suspected hypothyroidism). Herbalite + acupuncture + diet modification. Result: lost 43 lbs in 4 months; energy dramatically increased; low back pain resolved; more energetic, radiant, and positive.

— 58-year-old female: Voracious appetite, stress, inability to lose weight; overconsumption of caffeine and sweets; poor digestion, sluggish metabolism; Liver qi stagnation, Spleen qi deficiency, Kidney yin deficiency. Herbalite. Result: lost 7 lbs in first 2 weeks; excessive appetite tapered considerably especially at night; reduced sweet cravings; broke detrimental stress-driven eating cycle.

— 30-year-old female: Wanted to lose 10 lbs in one month; 5'1", 125 lbs. Herbalite 4 capsules 3x/day + diet control + moderate exercise. Result: lost 6 lbs after 2 weeks, 11 lbs after 4 weeks; maintained weight loss at 3-month follow-up.

— 34-year-old female teacher: Long history of weight gain, low energy, depression; damp and phlegm stagnation; puffy tongue with thick coating, rolling pulse. Herbalite. Result: lost 10 lbs in 3 months.

— 32-year-old female: Gained 20 lbs in one year; damp and phlegm stagnation; pale tongue with teeth marks, rolling pulse, low energy, slow metabolism. Herbalite. Result: weight loss appeared after 2 weeks; lost 40 lbs over 6 months; increased energy; felt better about herself.

— 49-year-old perimenopausal female: Cold extremities, easily fatigued, weight gain; yang deficiency. Herbalite + dietary modifications + yoga. Result after just over 1 week: lost 5 lbs; more energized; reduced appetite; warm sensations in extremities.

— 33-year-old female (D.K.): Post-pregnancy weight gain (2 children), large portions, sweet cravings, irritability, exhaustion, constipation; BP 110/90, HR 66–68 bpm; dampness in Spleen with Liver qi stagnation. Herbalite 4 capsules 3x/day (first 4 bottles without Da Huang due to nursing). Result: lost 5 lbs; appetite regulated — satisfied with smaller portions; reduced sugar consumption; increased fiber intake; constipation relieved.

— 61-year-old male (P.Z.): Obesity (288 lbs), lifelong overeating, hypertension, high cholesterol and triglycerides; BP 140/88, HR 84 bpm; damp accumulation. Herbalite 4 capsules 3x/day + acupuncture. Result: lost 66 lbs in approximately 10 months.

Related Reading

Also see: Cholisma – for high cholesterol | Cholisma (ES) – for high cholesterol and fatty liver | Herbal DRX – for edema and water accumulation | Equilibrium – for diabetes and blood glucose regulation | Gentle Lax (Excess) – for constipation with excess | Gastrodia Complex – for hypertension | Gardenia Complex – for excess fire | Pinellia Complex – for excess damp and phlegm | GI DTX – for intestinal detox | Vibrant – for energy boost | Weight Management Collection.