🌿 Folk Prescriptions

The main cause of obesity is overeating combined with insufficient exercise. Western medicine advocates immediate results through dieting and exercise. Traditional Chinese medicine, however, emphasizes stimulating acupoints or body areas to suppress excessive appetite, addressing the root cause of weight gain. Numerous acupoints and areas can suppress appetite. Here we introduce easily accessible sites on the back of the hand and palm. One is the central area of the dorsum of the hand, about 3 cm in diameter, known as the "chest-abdomen zone." Another is on the palmar side, from just below the index finger to the base of the thumb—the "stomach, spleen, large intestine zone." Pressing these two areas firmly before each meal weakens gastrointestinal function and naturally suppresses appetite. However, note that insufficient pressure or mild rubbing yields no effect. Gentle massage actually stimulates gastrointestinal function, increasing appetite. To achieve effective stimulation, use small household tools. For the "stomach, spleen, large intestine zone" on the palm, use a plastic hairpin or paper clip to pinch the area. (Avoid metal tools—they hurt too much.) (This article is for reference only.)