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Black Dragon
This formula is based on a contemporary weight loss formula developed
by the Siping Municipal Trade & Pharmaceutical Co in Jilin, China.
It has been slightly modified by Bob Flaws. Our version is a 9:1 extract.
500 mg/capsule, 60 capsules.
Indications: This formula is for the treatment of obesity due
to a combination of spleen qi vacuity with dampness and turbidity as well
as qi stagnation and blood stasis. It may also help in reducing serum
cholesterol and blood pressure.
THE SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF SPLEEN QI VACUITY INCLUDE:
Fatigue, especially after meals
Lack of strength
Easy bruising
Abdominal distention after meals
Orthostatic hypotension (dizziness standing up)
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF DAMPNESS AND TURBIDITY INCLUDE:
Overweight
Water retention
Slimy tongue fur
Slippery pulse
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF QI STAGNATION AND BLOOD STASIS INCLUDE:
Emotional frustration
PMS
Enduring disease
Formula Explanation:
It is a statement of fact within Chinese medicine that, “Fat people
[have] lots of phlegm and dampness.” In fact, fat is nothing other
than phlegm, dampness, and turbidity in Chinese medicine. It is also a
statement of fact within Chinese medicine that, “The spleen is the
root of phlegm engenderment.” Basically, phlegm is nothing other
than water fluids which have collected and transformed into dampness,
and, if dampness endures, it congeals into phlegm. Because the spleen
is averse to dampness, whether spleen vacuity lead to the engenderment
of dampness, once formed, dampness leads to spleen vacuity. This means
that the overwhelming majority of persons struggling with overweight present
with a combination of spleen vacuity and phlegm dampness. Within this
formula, Dang Shen and Bai Zhu fortify the spleen and transform dampness.
If the spleen becomes vacuous and weak, it will fail to command the movement
and transportation of water and grains, or foods and liquids. In that
case, stagnant
food will be produced which, on the one hand, adds to the engenderment
of turbidity and, on the other, further damages the spleen by inhibiting
the upbearing of the clear of the qi mechanism. Within this formula, Mai
Ya and Shan Zha disperse food and abduct stagnation. In addition, He Ye
upbears the clear and arouse the spleen, thus not only helping to eliminate
stagnant food but also helping to fortify and boost the spleen qi. He
Ye is also able to dispel phlegm and dampness. Because phlegm dampness
and stagnant food are both yin depressions, they obstruct the free flow
of the qi. Therefore, whether or not the qi was stagnant and the liver
was depressed before the accumulation of phlegm, dampness, food, and
turbidity, there will be liver depression qi stagnation after these yin
evils are engendered. In point of fact, it is commonly pre-existing liver
depression which leads to both the spleen vacuity and accumulation of
phlegm dampness characteristic of aging. Tu Bie Chong is in the formula
because many persons who are habitually overweight also have blood stasis.
This is because the qi moves the blood and blood and fluids move together.
Thus phlegm and dampness obstruct the movement and free flow of the blood
as well as the qi which moves the blood. Tu Bei Chong quickens the blood
and dispels stasis. He Shou Wu is in the formula because it supplements
and boost the liver and kidneys. By nourishing liver blood, it helps promote
the liver’s control of the coursing and discharge of the qi. By supplementing
the kidney essence, it promotes the interdependence of the former and
latter heavens. And finally, Wu Long Cha (Oolong tea, Chinese fermented
tea) is the formula because it arouses the spleen, transforms phlegm,
abducts stagnation, and disinhibits dampness.
Dosage
Take 2 capsules 3 times per day or follow your health care practitioner’s
instructions.
WESTERN PHARMACODYNAMICS:
He Shou Wu, Shan Zha, and He Ye are all known for reducing weight, lowering
cholesterol, and lowering blood pressure. Further, He Shou Wu strengthens
the immune system and combats aging. In particular, Oolong tea is a well-researched
metabolic stimulant. For instance, the authors of one study state: “...These
data suggest that oolong tea may promote weight loss by increasing energy
expenditure [increase rate of metabolism] 10-20%.” Further, “It
is clear that consumption of oolong tea stimulates both energy expenditure
[thereby burning calories] and fat oxidation . . .” 1 Scientists
now believe that the antioxidants in tea polyphenols keep “bad”
cholesterol (LDL, low-density lipoprotein) from letting plaque accumulate
in the arteries. In one study, researchers found that women ages 55 and
older were 54% less likely to have atherosclerosis, which can lead to
heart attack or stroke, than women who did not drink a cup or two of black
tea every day. In fact, the more tea they drank, the less they were at
risk for disease, the study concluded. Tea polyphenols are thought to
fight cancer because they 1) prevent free radicals from damaging DNA,
and so can stop the cancer before it starts; 2) slow the development of
cancer cells by curtailing uncontrolled cell growth; and 3) destroy cancer
cells while sparing the surrounding healthy cells. Research shows that
the risk of cancers of the stomach, bladder, esophagus, and prostate are
reduced by the consumption of tea. A recent study reported at the American
Chemical Society meeting in New York City on September 8, 2003 showed
that five to six cups of black tea daily boosted the part of the immune
system that fights against infection. The researchers found that tea had
the specific types of molecules that could activate the immune system’s
gamma, delta, T-lymphocytes that defend against infection and tumors.
After drinking five to six cups of tea a day for two or four weeks, the
blood samples of their volunteers were able to react against bacteria
five times better than before the volunteers drank the tea.
CLINICAL RESEARCH:
On pages 760-762 in issue #10, 2004 of the Zhong Yi Za Zhi (Journal of
Chinese Medicine), Li Yue-hua, Zhou Wen-quan, Wang Wei et al. published
an article titled, “A Clinical Audit of the Treatment of 64 Cases
of Simple Obesity with Wu Long Jiao Nang (Oolong Gelatin Capsules).”
Oolong Gelatin Capsules consisted of all the same ingredients as in our
Blue Poppy Herbs’ formula except for Shan Zha and Mai Ya. In this
study, a total of 104 overweight patients were randomly divided into two
groups. These two groups, a treatment group of 64 and a comparison group
of 40, were considered statistically comparable in terms of sex, age,
body mass index (BMI), circumference of the waist and hips, and thickness
of subcutaneous fat. The treatment group were administered two capsules
three times per day of the Oolong Gelatin Capsules 10-15 minutes before
meals. Successive administration of these capsules for two months equaled
one course of treatment. The comparison group received 20mg of fenfluramine
tablets 10-15 minutes before meals, also for two months.3 At the end of
that time, mean losses of weight and reductions in BMI were as good or
better with the Chinese formula as the Western drug. Similarly, mean reductions
in abdominal circumference, hip circumference, subcutaneous fat thickness,
and percentage of fat were as good or better with the Chinese formula.
What the Chinese formula did not do which the Western drug did was reduce
the weight of muscles and the weight of water. (This is a good thing.)
Further, the Chinese medical formula was effective for lowering mean blood
glucose levels, raising insulin levels, and improving the ratio between
testosterone and estradiol (also all good things). In general, the Chinese
medicinal formula achieved a 41.19% markedly effective rate and a 92.19%
total effectiveness rate compared to the phen-fen which only achieved
7.5% markedly effective and 37.50% effectiveness rates. And finally, among
the patients who took the fenfluramine there were such side effects as
indigestion, diarrhea, lack of strength, and somnolence, whereas, in the
Chinese medicinal treatment group, only two patients had slight diarrhea.
In terms of heart rate, blood pressure, EKG, and liver and kidney function,
there were no obvious disturbances from the Chinese medicinals. However,
two cases on the fenfluramine had moderately high liver enzymes (ALT).
CAUTIONS & CONTRAINDICATIONS:
This formula contains caffeine and should be taken with care by anyone
taking MAO-inhibitors or SSRI antidepressants. People with heart problems,
kidney disorders, stomach ulcers, and psychological disorders (particularly
anxiety) should not take tea extracts except under the supervision of
a health care professional. Pregnant women should limit their consumption
of tea and tea extracts because high caffeine intakes have been associated
with increased risk of miscarriage and low birth weight. People who consume
excessive amounts of caffeine (including caffeine from tea and tea extracts)
for prolonged periods of time may experience irritability, insomnia, heart
palpitation, and dizziness. Caffeine overdose can cause nausea, vomiting,
diarrhea, headaches, and loss of appetite. If you are consuming a lot
of caffeine and start to vomit or have abdominal spasms, you may have
caffeine poisoning. Lower your caffeine intake and see your health care
provider if your symptoms are severe.
