As people's living standards continue to improve, excessive consumption of rich and greasy foods over time leads to the accumulation of these fatty substances in the body, forming lipomas.
What is a Lipoma?
A lipoma is a benign soft tissue tumor composed of mature fat cells, which can occur in any part of the body where fat is present. It commonly appears on the shoulders, back, neck, breasts, and abdomen, followed by the proximal limbs (such as the upper arms, thighs, and buttocks).
The incidence of lipomas is higher among obese individuals, diabetics, and those with elevated serum cholesterol levels. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), lipomas are referred to as "phlegm nodules" (痰核). The renowned Yuan Dynasty physician Zhu Danxi described them in Danxi’s Experiential Therapy (Danxi Xinfa): "Lumps in the body that are painless, non-red, and non-suppurative are caused by phlegm stagnation."
Dr. Que Poh Yuen Albert, a TCM specialist at Singapore Gong Fang Tang TCM, explains that lipomas are benign tumors. If they do not show significant growth, regular monitoring may suffice without systematic treatment. For reassurance, a blood test for tumor screening can be performed. Daily care includes maintaining cleanliness and avoiding rubbing or irritating the lipoma to prevent infection.
Since the formation of lipomas is closely related to "dampness" in the body, early-stage lipomas (when still small) may show improvement with internal herbal medicine and external topical treatments.
Spleen-Strengthening Phlegm-Resolving Pills
Ingredients:
60g raw Atractylodes macrocephala rhizome (生白术)
60g raw chicken gizzard membrane (生鸡内金) (must be pre-processed, absolutely clean, and stone-free)
150g honey
Preparation:
Grinding:
For chicken gizzard membrane: Roast for 5 minutes over the innermost flame of a gas stove.
For Atractylodes: Roast for 4 minutes.
Separately grind the two herbs into fine powder using a grinder, then sift.
Lightly roast each powder over low heat (do not over-roast).
Heating Honey:
Pour 150g honey into a pan and heat over low flame, stirring continuously with a spatula.
After about 5 minutes, test by dipping a chopstick into the honey and dropping it into water—if it forms a small solid bead, it’s ready.
Mixing:
Pour the heated honey into the mixed powders while stirring.
Kneading:
While still warm, knead the mixture into a dough (like kneading flour).
Shaping:
Rub hands with sesame oil, then roll the dough into a long strip.
Cut into small cubes, then roll each into marble-sized balls (~3g each).
Dosage:
Take 9g per day (equivalent to three qian in traditional measurement).
The renowned physician Zhang Xichun once remarked that taking this Spleen-Strengthening Phlegm-Resolving Pills not only effectively treats phlegm but also significantly improves appetite in those with poor digestion. He noted, "With prolonged use, it can dissolve all accumulations in the abdomen," highlighting the pill's triple efficacy in resolving phlegm, enhancing appetite, and dispersing stagnations.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), chicken gizzard membrane (鸡内金) is believed to break stasis, soften hard masses, strengthen the spleen, and harmonize the stomach. Once ingested, it acts like a tiny broom, sweeping away blood stasis and damp-phlegm, reducing phlegm-turbidity production, unblocking stagnant meridians, and ultimately shrinking or dissolving lipomas throughout the body.
The two herbs complement each other: Atractylodes (白术) leans toward tonification, while chicken gizzard membrane excels at dispersion. Prolonged use of Atractylodes alone may cause stagnation, but pairing it with chicken gizzard membrane neutralizes this drawback. Their synergy—one supplementing, the other eliminating—creates a balanced and potent combination.
In summary, the Spleen-Strengthening Phlegm-Resolving Pills are ideal for those with spleen deficiency and a tendency toward phlegm accumulation. Users often report the disappearance of lipomas, a gradual improvement in appetite, and even the resolution of abdominal masses.
