A food-medicine homology formula, preparation process and application for improving phlegm-dampness constitution

Abstract

This invention discloses a food-medicine homology formula, preparation process, and application for improving phlegm-dampness constitution, relating to the field of food preparation technology. The food-medicine homology formula, preparation process, and application for improving phlegm-dampness constitution includes Ganoderma lucidum, Codonopsis pilosula, Poria cocos, white hyacinth bean, yam, jujube, prepared licorice root, hawthorn, stir-fried radish seed, coix seed, lotus seed, Euryale ferox seed, Alpinia oxyphylla, cinnamon, bergamot, tangerine peel, amomum villosum, and resistant dextrin. This invention, through scientific proportioning, maximizes the retention of effective components; in the formula, cinnamon and tangerine peel synergistically warm and dispel cold and dampness, while bergamot and amomum villosum regulate qi and aid digestion, taking into account the ascending and descending functions of the spleen and stomach, aligning with the traditional Chinese medicine theory that "the spleen is the source of phlegm, and the lungs are the receptacle of phlegm." All raw materials used are medicinal and edible herbs or food ingredients, ensuring food safety. Long-term consumption has a good effect on improving qi deficiency constitution, and the process is suitable for large-scale industrial production.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of food preparation technology, specifically to a food-medicine homology formula, preparation process, and application for improving phlegm-dampness constitution. Background Technology

[0002] Imbalanced constitutions account for 67.86% of the total population, meaning that approximately 950 million people in China have imbalanced constitutions. Imbalanced constitutions are a breeding ground for many chronic diseases, so there is a large market for improving imbalanced constitutions.

[0003] Imbalanced constitution is innate and formed over a long period of time, and cannot be improved in the short term through drugs. Instead, it requires a product that has both conditioning and mild effects and no toxic side effects for long-term conditioning and improvement. Formula foods that are both food and medicine can do just that.

[0004] Phlegm-dampness constitution is a relatively common unbalanced constitution. Its main characteristics include obesity, abdominal distension, sticky mouth with a greasy tongue coating, and heaviness in the limbs. The main symptoms include:

[0005] (1) Obesity and soft abdomen: People with phlegm-dampness constitution often appear as puffy fat, especially with obvious fat accumulation in the abdomen and soft, weak muscles, commonly known as "beer belly". This type of obesity is mostly caused by metabolic abnormalities and is easily accompanied by metabolic diseases such as hyperlipidemia and diabetes.

[0006] (2) Oily face and skin: Excessive sebum secretion on the face and scalp, which easily leads to acne or seborrheic dermatitis. Hair is also prone to oiliness and requires frequent washing.

[0007] (3) Sticky mouth and thick, greasy tongue coating: The mouth often feels sticky or slightly sweet, especially in the morning; the tongue is swollen with teeth marks on the edges, and the tongue coating is white or yellow and greasy, which are important criteria for judging phlegm and dampness.

[0008] (4) Chest tightness and phlegm, difficulty breathing: There is often phlegm in the throat, which is difficult to cough up. The phlegm is white and sticky, and may be accompanied by chest tightness and shortness of breath. In severe cases, it will affect the lung's function of dispersing and expelling.

[0009] (5) Sticky stool and incomplete defecation: The stool is unformed, sticks to the toilet, cannot be flushed clean, and the person feels uncomfortable during defecation. This is a manifestation of dampness and turbidity flowing down into the intestines.

[0010] (6) Physical heaviness and mental fatigue: The limbs feel heavy, movement is slow, fatigue is easy, and drowsiness is common, especially in damp weather or in the afternoon, as if wrapped in a wet cloth.

[0011] (7) Prefers rich and fatty foods: They prefer sweet, oily and spicy foods, but their appetite may be poor and they are prone to abdominal bloating after eating.

[0012] Its causes are mainly due to congenital factors and acquired factors.

[0013] Congenital factors include: Innate constitution: a hot stomach, excessive consumption of rich and fatty foods, and insufficient spleen function, leading to the accumulation of dampness and phlegm.

[0014] Acquired factors include: 1) Invasion of cold and dampness: Damp climate, wading through water and getting caught in the rain, or living in damp places for a long time, dampness invades the body, the spleen and stomach are impaired, the function of water and dampness is impaired, dampness accumulates and phlegm is formed, and phlegm and dampness accumulate in the lungs.

[0015] 2) Improper diet: Frequent overeating, excessive consumption of rich, fatty, sweet, and alcoholic foods damages the spleen and stomach, preventing the distribution of nutrients and the transformation of fluids, leading to the internal generation of dampness and phlegm, which accumulates in the body.

[0016] 3) Old age and chronic illness: Spleen and stomach deficiency, reduced digestive function or kidney yang deficiency, unable to transform qi and promote water metabolism.

[0017] 4) Lack of exercise: Long-term preference for lying down or sitting with little movement leads to poor blood circulation, sluggish spleen and stomach function, inability to transform and transport water and dampness, resulting in the accumulation of dampness and the internal generation of phlegm and dampness.

[0018] Traditional Chinese medicine has a good effect on regulating phlegm and dampness constitution, especially Chinese medicine that is both food and medicine. It has no toxic side effects and its taste is not particularly bad. It can be taken for a long time with appropriate adjustments to the taste.

[0019] Foods formulated with the same origin as medicine follow the principle of monarch, minister, assistant, and guide in their formulation, and combine them with the mutual influence between the internal organs and the generation, restraint, and transformation of qi and blood in the internal organs to achieve maximum efficacy.

[0020] The drawbacks of existing food-medicine homologous products for improving phlegm-dampness constitution:

[0021] 1. The invention of Wang Qi, Wang Ting, and Zheng Yanfei (Application No.: CN201410538335.9):

[0022] (1) The medicine is cold in nature. Long-term use may damage the spleen yang, resulting in diarrhea, loss of appetite, fatigue, etc. It is more suitable for people with a damp-heat constitution who are less hot.

[0023] (2) The role of kidney yang in phlegm-dampness constitution was not taken into account.

[0024] 2. The invention of Zeng Gaofeng and Zong Shaohui (Application No.: CN202011164183.2):

[0025] (1) Panax notoginseng is not among the 106 kinds of food and medicine, and it is not closely related to phlegm and dampness removal.

[0026] (2) The role of kidney yang in phlegm-dampness constitution was not taken into account. Summary of the Invention

[0027] The purpose of this invention is to provide a formula, preparation process, and application of a food-medicine homology product for improving phlegm-dampness constitution. This addresses the problems of existing food-medicine homology products for improving phlegm-dampness constitution being too cold in nature, which may damage spleen yang with long-term use, leading to diarrhea, loss of appetite, and fatigue. These products do not take into account the role of kidney yang in phlegm-dampness constitution. Alternatively, some products contain Panax notoginseng, which is not among the 106 kinds of food-medicine homology products and has little to do with removing phlegm-dampness, thus failing to consider the role of kidney yang in phlegm-dampness constitution.

[0028] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides the following technical solution:

[0029] A food formula that is both medicinal and edible, designed to improve phlegm-dampness constitution, wherein the food formula comprises the following components by weight:

[0030] Reishi mushroom 6-12g, Codonopsis pilosula 6-15g, Poria cocos 2-15g, stir-fried white hyacinth bean 2-10g, Dioscorea opposita 3-15g, Cinnamomum cassia 0.2-6g, Alpinia oxyphylla 1-9g, Crataegus pinnatifida 3-15g, stir-fried radish seed 3-15g, Coix lacryma-jobi 5-20g, Nelumbo nucifera seed 5-20g, Citrus medica 1-10g, Citrus reticulata peel 1-9g, Amomum villosum 0.2-6g, Ziziphus jujuba 2-15g, stir-fried Glycyrrhiza uralensis 1-6g, resistant dextrin 5-15g, Euryale ferox 5-20g.

[0031] Furthermore, the preferred weight composition of the food formula is:

[0032] 10g Ganoderma lucidum, 10g Codonopsis pilosula, 10g Poria cocos, 12g stir-fried white hyacinth bean, 10g Dioscorea opposita, 1g cinnamon, 2g Alpinia oxyphylla, 4g hawthorn, 4g stir-fried radish seed, 6g Coix lacryma-jobi, 6g lotus seed, 3g Citrus medica, 4g dried tangerine peel, 6g Amomum villosum, 3g jujube, 2g stir-fried licorice root, 6g resistant dextrin, 6g Euryale ferox.

[0033] This invention also provides the following technical solutions:

[0034] A preparation process for a food-medicine homology formula for improving phlegm-dampness constitution includes the following steps: separate soaking, setting soaking time, cooking, filtration and concentration, and extraction of substance B.

[0035] S1. Soak separately: Weigh the following ingredients from the food formula: Ganoderma lucidum, Codonopsis pilosula, Poria cocos, white hyacinth bean, yam, jujube, roasted licorice root, hawthorn, stir-fried radish seed, coix seed, lotus seed, euryale seed, and Alpinia oxyphylla, and put them into soaking container A. Add water that is 10 times the weight of the above ingredients.

[0036] After weighing the cinnamon, Buddha's hand, dried tangerine peel, and cardamom, place them in soaking container B, and add water that is 10 times the weight of the above materials.

[0037] S2. Soaking time setting: 1.5 hours in winter, 1 hour in spring and autumn, and 40 minutes in summer;

[0038] S3. Cooking: First, boil the ingredients in container A over high heat until boiling, then reduce to low heat and simmer for 30 minutes. Then, pour the ingredients from container B into container A, and cook for 10 minutes after the water boils.

[0039] S4. Filtration and concentration preparation: After filtering the dregs, filtrate A is obtained. The filtered dregs are put back into container A, and water with a total weight of 5 times the filtered dregs is added. After the water boils, the timer is set and the mixture is decocted for 20 minutes. Filtrate B is obtained by filtration. Filtrate A and filtrate B are combined, concentrated and dried to obtain extract A.

[0040] S5. Add resistant dextrin to extract A, mix well and obtain substance B.

[0041] This invention also provides the following technical solutions:

[0042] An application of a food-medicine homology formula for improving phlegm-dampness constitution involves preparing substance B using conventional preparation processes, adding diluents and sucralose to produce a beverage or solid beverage.

[0043] The beneficial effects of this invention are as follows:

[0044] I. Recognize and emphasize the two key levels of phlegm-dampness formation: the spleen is the source of phlegm, and the kidney is the root of phlegm-dampness. The explanation is as follows:

[0045] 1. Spleen deficiency is the "engine" for the production of phlegm and dampness.

[0046] The spleen governs transformation and transportation, responsible for converting ingested food and fluids into usable nutrients and distributing them throughout the body. When the spleen is deficient, its transformative and transportation functions fail, causing the nutrients from food and water to stagnate and accumulate, turning into phlegm and dampness.

[0047] These types of people often exhibit the following characteristics:

[0048] A large, swollen tongue with teeth marks, a thick, greasy tongue coating, a feeling of heaviness in the body, reluctance to move, sticky stools that easily stick to the toilet, bloating, and poor appetite.

[0049] If at this point you only see "spleen deficiency and dampness", simply strengthening the spleen and removing dampness (such as using Shenling Baizhu Powder or Er Chen Pill) may be effective in the short term, but it is easy to relapse.

[0050] 2. Kidney Yang deficiency is the "deep-seated root cause" of persistent phlegm and dampness.

[0051] Kidney Yang is the root of all Yang energy in the body, known as the "Fire of the Gate of Life." It acts like a small furnace within the body, warming the spleen and promoting the vaporization and excretion of fluids. If Kidney Yang is insufficient, the following will occur:

[0052] Fire fails to warm the earth – spleen yang is weakened – spleen becomes even weaker; water fails to transform – dampness accumulates internally – phlegm and dampness arise; the triple burner's qi transformation is impaired – dampness and turbidity descend or ascend.

[0053] This is precisely why many people "can't get rid of dampness completely and it always recurs"—they're not tonifying kidney yang, but are just "adding fuel to the fire."

[0054] II. This formula adheres strictly to the pathogenesis, aiming to strengthen the spleen and eliminate dampness, warm the yang and promote digestion, and regulate qi and resolve phlegm. It draws upon well-known formulas such as Shenling Baizhu Powder, Xiangsha Liujunzi Decoction, and Buqi Xiaotan Drink, with modern applications. It is suitable for long-term conditioning in individuals with phlegm-dampness constitution. The formula composition and efficacy analysis are as follows:

[0055] 1. Codonopsis pilosula, Dioscorea opposita, Poria cocos, and Dolichos lablab: These ingredients strengthen the spleen and replenish qi, eliminate dampness and stop diarrhea. They form the core of the "Four Gentlemen Decoction + Dolichos lablab" formula, enhancing the spleen's function of transporting and transforming water and dampness. They are the "chief" ingredients of the formula.

[0056] 2. Coix seed, lotus seed, and fox nut: These herbs promote diuresis and eliminate dampness, strengthen the kidneys and stop leukorrhea. The three herbs work together to remove existing dampness and prevent its recurrence, making them especially suitable for those with loose stools and clear, thin leukorrhea.

[0057] 3. Tangerine peel, cardamom, Buddha's hand, and stir-fried radish seeds: regulate qi and resolve phlegm, promote digestion and relieve stagnation, break through qi stagnation and phlegm obstruction, prevent greasy food from hindering the stomach, and form a "nourishing while promoting circulation" pattern with spleen-strengthening medicines.

[0058] 4. Cinnamon and Alpinia oxyphylla: They warm the yang and transform qi, warm the kidneys and consolidate the body, warm and assist the spleen yang to transport dampness, and consolidate the kidney qi to retain water. They are key adjuvants for "warming and transforming phlegm and dampness".

[0059] 5. Hawthorn, stir-fried licorice, jujube, and Ganoderma lucidum: These ingredients help to eliminate stagnation and blood stasis, harmonize the effects of other herbs, help resolve phlegm and turbidity, relieve urgency, replenish the middle jiao (spleen and stomach), and calm the mind and support the body's vital energy, thereby improving overall tolerance.

[0060] 6. Resistant dextrin: a dietary fiber excipient, not a traditional Chinese medicine, but it can regulate intestinal flora, delay sugar absorption, and help improve metabolic phlegm and dampness.

[0061] III. Clinical Applicability and Advantages

[0062] 1. Highly compatible with the characteristics of phlegm-dampness constitution: Especially suitable for those with white and greasy tongue coating, obesity, excessive phlegm, chest tightness and heaviness, poor appetite, and sticky stools.

[0063] 2. Take into account both the symptoms and the root cause: remove phlegm and dampness (tangerine peel, coix seed) and tonify the spleen and kidneys (codonopsis, euryale seed), avoiding simply removing dampness and harming the body's vital energy.

[0064] 3. Warming without being drying, nourishing without being stagnant: The dosage of cinnamon and Alpinia oxyphylla is extremely light, and it is combined with a large number of qi-regulating herbs (Citrus medica and Raphanus sativus), which effectively avoids the damage of yin caused by warming and drying.

[0065] 4. Rational integration of modern excipients: As a prebiotic, resistant dextrin can synergistically improve the intestinal microecology, which coincides with the traditional Chinese medicine theory that "the spleen governs transportation and transformation, and the intestine is the organ of transmission and transformation". It is an innovative combination of traditional and modern nutritional medicine.

[0066] The above description is merely an overview of the technical solution of the present invention. In order to better understand the technical means of the present invention and to implement it in accordance with the contents of the specification, the preferred embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below. Detailed Implementation

[0067] The technical solutions of the present invention will now be clearly and completely described. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some, not all, of the embodiments of the present invention. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0068] In the description of this invention, it should be noted that the terms "first," "second," and "third" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0069] In the description of this invention, it should be noted that, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the technical features involved in the different embodiments of this invention described below can be combined with each other as long as they do not conflict with each other.

[0070] Please refer to a preferred embodiment of this application for a food-medicine homology formula for improving phlegm-dampness constitution, the composition of which by weight is as follows:

[0071] Reishi mushroom 6-12g, Codonopsis pilosula 6-15g, Poria cocos 2-15g, stir-fried white hyacinth bean 2-10g, Dioscorea opposita 3-15g, Cinnamomum cassia 0.2-6g, Alpinia oxyphylla 1-9g, Crataegus pinnatifida 3-15g, stir-fried radish seed 3-15g, Coix lacryma-jobi 5-20g, Nelumbo nucifera seed 5-20g, Citrus medica 1-10g, Citrus reticulata peel 1-9g, Amomum villosum 0.2-6g, Ziziphus jujuba 2-15g, stir-fried Glycyrrhiza uralensis 1-6g, resistant dextrin 5-15g, Euryale ferox 5-20g.

[0072] Furthermore, the preferred weight composition of the food formulation is:

[0073] 10g Ganoderma lucidum, 10g Codonopsis pilosula, 10g Poria cocos, 12g stir-fried white hyacinth bean, 10g Dioscorea opposita, 1g cinnamon, 2g Alpinia oxyphylla, 4g hawthorn, 4g stir-fried radish seed, 6g Coix lacryma-jobi, 6g lotus seed, 3g Citrus medica, 4g dried tangerine peel, 6g Amomum villosum, 3g jujube, 2g stir-fried licorice root, 6g resistant dextrin, 6g Euryale ferox.

[0074] This invention also provides the following technical solutions:

[0075] A preparation process for a food-medicine homology formula for improving phlegm-dampness constitution includes the following steps: separate soaking, setting soaking time, cooking, filtration and concentration, and extraction of substance B.

[0076] S1. Soak separately: Weigh the following ingredients from the food formula: Ganoderma lucidum, Codonopsis pilosula, Poria cocos, white hyacinth bean, yam, jujube, roasted licorice root, hawthorn, stir-fried radish seed, coix seed, lotus seed, euryale seed, and Alpinia oxyphylla, and put them into soaking container A. Add water that is 10 times the weight of the above ingredients.

[0077] After weighing the cinnamon, Buddha's hand, dried tangerine peel, and cardamom, place them in soaking container B, and add water that is 10 times the weight of the above materials.

[0078] S2. Soaking time setting: 1.5 hours in winter, 1 hour in spring and autumn, and 40 minutes in summer;

[0079] S3. Cooking: First, boil the ingredients in container A over high heat until boiling, then reduce to low heat and simmer for 30 minutes. Then, pour the ingredients from container B into container A, and cook for 10 minutes after the water boils.

[0080] S4. Filtration and concentration preparation: After filtering the dregs, filtrate A is obtained. The filtered dregs are put back into container A, and water with a total weight of 5 times the filtered dregs is added. After the water boils, the timer is set and the mixture is decocted for 20 minutes. Filtrate B is obtained by filtration. Filtrate A and filtrate B are combined, concentrated and dried to obtain extract A.

[0081] S5. Add resistant dextrin to extract A, mix well and obtain substance B.

[0082] This invention also provides the following technical solutions:

[0083] An application of a food-medicine homology formula for improving phlegm-dampness constitution involves using a conventional preparation process to add diluents and sucralose to substance B to make a beverage or solid beverage.

[0084] The raw materials for each formulation are described below:

[0085] Reishi mushroom: Sweet in taste, neutral in nature; enters the heart, lung, liver, and kidney meridians. Functions: Tonifies qi and calms the mind, relieves cough and asthma. *Shennong's Classic of Materia Medica*: "Preserves the spirit and benefits essence and qi"; *Compendium of Materia Medica*: "Benefits heart qi, enters the heart to replenish blood, assists the heart to replenish the pulse, calms the mind, benefits lung qi, tonifies the middle jiao, enhances wisdom, improves complexion, benefits joints, strengthens tendons and bones, eliminates phlegm, strengthens bones, and promotes blood circulation."

[0086] Indications: Restlessness, insomnia, palpitations; cough with excessive phlegm; general weakness.

[0087] Codonopsis pilosula: sweet in taste and neutral in nature; enters the spleen and lung meridians.

[0088] Efficacy: Strengthens the spleen and lungs, nourishes blood and promotes the production of body fluids.

[0089] Indications: Spleen and lung qi deficiency, poor appetite and fatigue, cough and wheezing; qi and blood deficiency, sallow complexion, palpitations and shortness of breath; thirst due to fluid depletion, internal heat and thirst.

[0090] Poria cocos: Sweet and bland in taste, neutral in nature. It enters the heart, lung, spleen, and kidney meridians.

[0091] Efficacy: Promotes diuresis and eliminates dampness, strengthens the spleen, and calms the mind.

[0092] Indications: Edema, difficulty urinating; phlegm retention; diarrhea due to spleen deficiency; palpitations, insomnia.

[0093] White hyacinth bean: sweet in taste and slightly warm in nature. It enters the spleen and stomach meridians.

[0094] Efficacy: Strengthens the spleen and eliminates dampness, harmonizes the stomach and relieves summer heat.

[0095] Indications: Spleen deficiency with dampness, resulting in impaired digestion and absorption, manifested as poor appetite, loose stools or diarrhea, as well as spleen deficiency with dampness descending downwards, causing excessive leukorrhea, etc.; also used for summer heat and dampness causing vomiting and diarrhea, which can strengthen the spleen, resolve dampness, relieve summer heat, and harmonize the middle jiao.

[0096] Yam: Sweet in taste and neutral in nature. It enters the spleen, lung, and kidney meridians.

[0097] Efficacy: Tonifies the spleen and stomach, promotes the production of body fluids and benefits the lungs, and tonifies the kidneys and astringes essence.

[0098] Indications: Spleen deficiency with poor appetite, chronic diarrhea, loose stools; Lung deficiency with wheezing and cough; Kidney deficiency with seminal emission, leukorrhea, and frequent urination; and deficiency heat with thirst.

[0099] Cinnamon: It has a pungent and sweet taste and is very hot in nature. It enters the kidney, spleen, heart, and liver meridians.

[0100] Efficacy: Tonifies fire and assists yang, dispels cold and relieves pain, warms and unblocks the meridians, and guides fire back to its origin.

[0101] Indications: Kidney Yang deficiency syndrome; cold pain in the epigastrium and abdomen, abdominal pain due to cold hernia; cold-induced back pain, chest pain, carbuncles, amenorrhea, dysmenorrhea; floating of deficient Yang.

[0102] Alpinia oxyphylla: It has a pungent taste and warm properties. It enters the kidney and spleen meridians.

[0103] Functions: warms the kidneys, strengthens essence, reduces urination, warms the spleen, stops diarrhea, and reduces salivation.

[0104] Indications: Kidney Qi deficiency and cold, seminal emission, frequent urination and enuresis; Spleen cold diarrhea, abdominal pain, excessive salivation;

[0105] Buddha's Hand: It has a pungent and bitter taste, and is warm in nature. It enters the liver, spleen, stomach, and lung meridians.

[0106] Efficacy: Soothes the liver and regulates qi, harmonizes the stomach and relieves pain, dries dampness and resolves phlegm.

[0107] Indications: Liver stagnation causing chest and rib distension and pain; liver and stomach qi stagnation syndrome; spleen and stomach qi stagnation syndrome; chronic cough with excessive phlegm, chest tightness and rib pain.

[0108] Dried tangerine peel: It has a pungent and bitter taste, and is warm in nature. It enters the spleen and lung meridians.

[0109] Efficacy: Regulates Qi and strengthens the spleen, dries dampness and resolves phlegm.

[0110] Indications: Spleen and stomach qi stagnation syndrome; vomiting and hiccups; cough and asthma due to damp phlegm or cold phlegm; chest pain.

[0111] Amomum villosum: It has a pungent taste and warm properties. It enters the spleen and stomach meridians.

[0112] Efficacy: It can resolve dampness and stimulate appetite, warm the spleen and stop diarrhea, regulate qi and calm the fetus.

[0113] Indications: Dampness obstructing the middle jiao and stagnation of qi in the spleen and stomach; vomiting and diarrhea due to deficiency and cold in the spleen and stomach; morning sickness and threatened abortion due to qi stagnation.

[0114] Jujube: Sweet in taste and warm in nature. It enters the spleen and stomach meridians.

[0115] Efficacy: Tonifies the middle energizer and replenishes qi, nourishes blood and calms the mind.

[0116] Indications: Spleen deficiency with poor appetite and loose stools, fatigue and weakness; blood deficiency with sallow complexion; hysteria and restlessness in women.

[0117] Licorice: Sweet in taste, neutral in nature. It enters the heart, lung, spleen, and stomach meridians.

[0118] Efficacy: Tonifies the spleen and replenishes qi, eliminates phlegm and relieves cough, alleviates spasms and pain, clears heat and detoxifies, and harmonizes the effects of other medicines.

[0119] Indications: Palpitation and shortness of breath; weakness of the spleen and stomach, fatigue and weakness; cough with excessive phlegm; abdominal cramps and pain in the limbs; sores caused by heat toxins, sore throat, food and drug poisoning; relief of drug toxicity and harshness.

[0120] Hawthorn: It tastes sour and sweet, and is slightly warm in nature. It enters the spleen, stomach, and liver meridians.

[0121] Efficacy: Aids digestion and strengthens the stomach, promotes qi circulation and removes blood stasis, clears turbidity and lowers lipids.

[0122] Indications: (1) Food stagnation caused by meat. This product can treat various food stagnation, especially the key medicine for digesting greasy meat stagnation.

[0123] (2) Diarrhea, abdominal pain, and hernia pain. This product can be used to stop diarrhea and dysentery when stir-fried.

[0124] (3) Blood stasis syndrome. This product is warm in nature and enters the blood part of the liver meridian. It can promote the flow of qi and blood and has the effects of activating blood circulation, removing blood stasis and relieving pain.

[0125] (4) Hyperlipidemia.

[0126] [Pharmacology] This product has the effects of promoting fat digestion, regulating gastrointestinal function, dilating coronary arteries, lowering blood pressure, antiarrhythmia, antiplatelet aggregation, and lowering blood lipids.

[0127] Stir-fried radish seeds: pungent and sweet in flavor, neutral in nature. They enter the lung, spleen, and stomach meridians.

[0128] Efficacy: Relieves indigestion and bloating, regulates qi and resolves phlegm.

[0129] Indications: (1) Food stagnation and qi stagnation. This product is pungent and dispersing, and while it helps to eliminate food stagnation, it is especially good at promoting qi circulation and relieving bloating.

[0130] (2) Coughing, wheezing, excessive phlegm, chest tightness, and poor appetite.

[0131] Job's tears: sweet and bland in taste, cool in nature. It enters the spleen, stomach, and lung meridians.

[0132] Efficacy: Promotes diuresis and eliminates dampness, strengthens the spleen and stops diarrhea, relieves numbness, clears heat and drains pus.

[0133] Indications: (1) Edema, difficulty urinating, beriberi edema. This product promotes diuresis and strengthens the spleen, with effects similar to Poria cocos. It is especially suitable for those with spleen deficiency and dampness retention.

[0134] (2) Spleen deficiency diarrhea. For diarrhea caused by spleen deficiency and dampness, it is often used in combination with ginseng, poria, etc., such as Ginseng, Poria and Atractylodes Macrocephala Powder.

[0135] (3) Dampness-induced arthralgia and contracture. This product drains dampness and relieves arthralgia, and can also relax muscles and tendons and relieve contracture.

[0136] (4) Lung abscess and intestinal abscess. This product can clear heat from the lungs and intestines, drain pus and eliminate abscesses.

[0137] [Pharmacology] Coix seed has anti-tumor, immune-enhancing, blood sugar-lowering, blood calcium-lowering, blood pressure-lowering, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antiviral, osteoporosis-inhibiting, antithrombotic, antipyretic, sedative, and uterine-stimulating effects.

[0138] Lotus seeds: sweet and astringent in taste, neutral in nature. They enter the spleen, kidney, and heart meridians.

[0139] Efficacy: Tonifies the kidneys and strengthens essence, invigorates the spleen and stops diarrhea, stops leukorrhea, nourishes the heart and calms the mind.

[0140] Indications: (1) Nocturnal emission and spermatorrhea. This product is sweet and astringent, enters the kidney meridian and can benefit the kidney and consolidate essence. It is used to treat nocturnal emission and spermatorrhea caused by kidney deficiency and weak seminal control. It is often used with gorgon fruit, dragon bone and other ingredients, such as in the Golden Lock Essence-Consolidating Pill.

[0141] (2) Leukorrhea. This product not only tonifies the spleen and kidneys, but also astringes and stops leukorrhea. It combines tonification and astringency, and is a commonly used product for treating leukorrhea due to spleen deficiency and kidney deficiency. For leukorrhea due to spleen deficiency, it is often used with Poria cocos, Atractylodes macrocephala and other drugs; for leukorrhea due to deficiency of both spleen and kidney, clear and thin leukorrhea, and soreness and weakness of the waist and knees, it can be used with Cornus officinalis, Dioscorea opposita, Euryale ferox and other drugs.

[0142] (3) Spleen deficiency diarrhea. This product is sweet and can tonify the spleen, and astringent and can stop diarrhea. It can both tonify the spleen and astringe the intestines to stop diarrhea. For those with chronic diarrhea due to spleen deficiency and poor appetite, it is often used with Codonopsis pilosula, Poria cocos, Atractylodes macrocephala, etc., such as Ginseng, Poria cocos and Atractylodes macrocephala Powder.

[0143] (4) Palpitation and insomnia. This product is sweet and neutral, enters the heart and kidneys, nourishes heart blood, benefits kidney qi, and harmonizes the heart and kidneys, thus having a calming effect. For those suffering from heart-kidney disharmony, restlessness, palpitations, and insomnia, it is often used in combination with other herbs such as jujube seed, poria cocos, and polygala tenuifolia.

[0144] Foxnut: Sweet and astringent in taste, neutral in nature. It enters the spleen and kidney meridians.

[0145] Efficacy: Tonifies the kidneys and strengthens essence, invigorates the spleen and stops diarrhea, eliminates dampness and stops leukorrhea.

[0146] Indications: Spermatorrhea; enuresis and frequent urination; chronic diarrhea due to spleen deficiency; leukorrhea.

[0147] Resistant dextrin: As a water-soluble dietary fiber, resistant dextrin has a potential auxiliary effect in regulating phlegm-dampness constitution, especially in improving digestive function, regulating blood sugar, and promoting intestinal health. Combined with traditional Chinese medicine theory, its mechanism of action shares certain similarities with the core pathogenesis of phlegm-dampness constitution.

[0148] (1) Improve intestinal metabolism and reduce "internal dampness and turbidity".

[0149] Phlegm-dampness constitution is often caused by dysfunction of the spleen and stomach, leading to the accumulation of dampness. Resistant dextrin can absorb water and swell, increasing stool volume, promoting intestinal peristalsis, helping to expel accumulated waste from the body, and reducing the source of internal dampness. Chronic constipation or sticky stools are common manifestations of phlegm-dampness constitution, and resistant dextrin can alleviate these symptoms through its laxative effect.

[0150] (2). Assists in controlling blood sugar and lipids, and prevents phlegm and dampness from developing into metabolic diseases.

[0151] People with phlegm-dampness constitution are prone to obesity and insulin resistance. Resistant dextrin is not easily absorbed by the small intestine, which can slow down the absorption of glucose, helping to stabilize postprandial blood sugar levels. At the same time, it reduces total calorie intake by increasing satiety, which has a positive effect on weight management. This complements the dietary principle of "reducing rich and greasy foods" for people with phlegm-dampness constitution.

[0152] (3). Regulate the intestinal flora and indirectly strengthen the spleen and resolve dampness.

[0153] From a modern nutritional perspective, resistant dextrin, as a prebiotic, can be fermented and utilized by beneficial gut bacteria, promoting the production of short-chain fatty acids and improving intestinal barrier function. This microecological regulation may indirectly enhance the spleen and stomach's digestive capacity, aligning with the traditional Chinese medicine concept of "strengthening the spleen to eliminate dampness."

[0154] This formula food is made entirely of food and medicine homology ingredients. Its medicinal properties are mild, but after being cleverly combined, its effects on disease prevention and health maintenance are indeed very good.

[0155] This formula, which combines food and medicine, can be made into beverages, powders, candies, etc., making it convenient to consume without the drawback of a bitter taste.

[0156] In summary, this invention provides a food-medicine homology formula, preparation process, and application for improving phlegm-dampness constitution. This method has the following advantages:

[0157] I. Recognize and emphasize the two key levels of phlegm-dampness formation: the spleen is the source of phlegm, and the kidney is the root of phlegm-dampness. The explanation is as follows:

[0158] 1. Spleen deficiency is the "engine" for the production of phlegm and dampness.

[0159] The spleen governs transformation and transportation, responsible for converting ingested food and fluids into usable nutrients and distributing them throughout the body. When the spleen is deficient, its transformative and transportation functions fail, causing the nutrients from food and water to stagnate and accumulate, turning into phlegm and dampness.

[0160] These types of people often exhibit the following characteristics:

[0161] A large, swollen tongue with teeth marks, a thick, greasy tongue coating, a feeling of heaviness in the body, reluctance to move, sticky stools that easily stick to the toilet, bloating, and poor appetite.

[0162] If at this point you only see "spleen deficiency and dampness", simply strengthening the spleen and removing dampness (such as using Shenling Baizhu Powder or Er Chen Pill) may be effective in the short term, but it is easy to relapse.

[0163] 2. Kidney Yang deficiency is the "deep-seated root cause" of persistent phlegm and dampness.

[0164] Kidney Yang is the root of all Yang energy in the body, known as the "Fire of the Gate of Life." It acts like a small furnace within the body, warming the spleen and promoting the vaporization and excretion of fluids. If Kidney Yang is insufficient, the following will occur:

[0165] Fire fails to warm the earth – spleen yang is weakened – spleen becomes even weaker; water fails to transform – dampness accumulates internally – phlegm and dampness arise; the triple burner's qi transformation is impaired – dampness and turbidity descend or ascend.

[0166] This is precisely why many people "can't get rid of dampness completely and it always recurs"—they're not tonifying kidney yang, but are just "adding fuel to the fire."

[0167] II. This formula adheres strictly to the pathogenesis, aiming to strengthen the spleen and eliminate dampness, warm the yang and promote digestion, and regulate qi and resolve phlegm. It draws upon well-known formulas such as Shenling Baizhu Powder, Xiangsha Liujunzi Decoction, and Buqi Xiaotan Drink, with modern applications. It is suitable for long-term conditioning in individuals with phlegm-dampness constitution. The formula composition and efficacy analysis are as follows:

[0168] 1. Codonopsis pilosula, Dioscorea opposita, Poria cocos, and Dolichos lablab: These ingredients strengthen the spleen and replenish qi, eliminate dampness and stop diarrhea. They form the core of the "Four Gentlemen Decoction + Dolichos lablab" formula, enhancing the spleen's function of transporting and transforming water and dampness. They are the "chief" ingredients of the formula.

[0169] 2. Coix seed, lotus seed, and fox nut: These herbs promote diuresis and eliminate dampness, strengthen the kidneys and stop leukorrhea. The three herbs work together to remove existing dampness and prevent its recurrence, making them especially suitable for those with loose stools and clear, thin leukorrhea.

[0170] 3. Tangerine peel, cardamom, Buddha's hand, and stir-fried radish seeds: regulate qi and resolve phlegm, promote digestion and relieve stagnation, break through qi stagnation and phlegm obstruction, prevent greasy food from hindering the stomach, and form a "nourishing while promoting circulation" pattern with spleen-strengthening medicines.

[0171] 4. Cinnamon and Alpinia oxyphylla: They warm the yang and transform qi, warm the kidneys and consolidate the body, warm and assist the spleen yang to transport dampness, and consolidate the kidney qi to retain water. They are key adjuvants for "warming and transforming phlegm and dampness".

[0172] 5. Hawthorn, stir-fried licorice, jujube, and Ganoderma lucidum: These ingredients help to eliminate stagnation and blood stasis, harmonize the effects of other herbs, help resolve phlegm and turbidity, relieve urgency, replenish the middle jiao (spleen and stomach), and calm the mind and support the body's vital energy, thereby improving overall tolerance.

[0173] 6. Resistant dextrin: a dietary fiber excipient, not a traditional Chinese medicine, but it can regulate intestinal flora, delay sugar absorption, and help improve metabolic phlegm and dampness.

[0174] III. Clinical Applicability and Advantages

[0175] 1. Highly compatible with the characteristics of phlegm-dampness constitution: Especially suitable for those with white and greasy tongue coating, obesity, excessive phlegm, chest tightness and heaviness, poor appetite, and sticky stools.

[0176] 2. Take into account both the symptoms and the root cause: remove phlegm and dampness (tangerine peel, coix seed) and tonify the spleen and kidneys (codonopsis, euryale seed), avoiding simply removing dampness and harming the body's vital energy.

[0177] 3. Warming without being drying, nourishing without being stagnant: The dosage of cinnamon and Alpinia oxyphylla is extremely light, and it is combined with a large number of qi-regulating herbs (Citrus medica and Raphanus sativus), which effectively avoids the damage of yin caused by warming and drying.

[0178] 4. Rational integration of modern excipients: As a prebiotic, resistant dextrin can synergistically improve the intestinal microecology, which coincides with the traditional Chinese medicine theory that "the spleen governs transportation and transformation, and the intestine is the organ of transmission and transformation". It is an innovative combination of traditional and modern nutritional medicine.

[0179] The food formula of the present invention is simple to make. All the raw materials used are medicinal materials or food ingredients that can be used as both food and medicine. The excipients (diluents or flavorings) used also comply with the national standard GB2760-2011 (National Food Safety Standard for the Use of Food Additives). It is safe to eat and long-term consumption has a good effect on improving qi deficiency constitution. Moreover, the process is suitable for large-scale industrial production.

[0180] The technical features of the above embodiments can be combined in any way. For the sake of brevity, not all possible combinations of the technical features in the above embodiments are described. However, as long as there is no contradiction in the combination of these technical features, they should be considered to be within the scope of this specification.

[0181] The embodiments described above are merely illustrative of several implementations of the present invention, and while the descriptions are relatively specific and detailed, they should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention patent. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make various modifications and improvements without departing from the concept of the present invention, and these all fall within the protection scope of the present invention. Therefore, the protection scope of this invention patent should be determined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A food-medicine formula for improving phlegm-dampness constitution, characterized in that, The food formula consists of the following parts by weight: Reishi mushroom 6-12g, Codonopsis pilosula 6-15g, Poria cocos 2-15g, stir-fried white hyacinth bean 2-10g, Dioscorea opposita 3-15g, Cinnamomum cassia 0.2-6g, Alpinia oxyphylla 1-9g, Crataegus pinnatifida 3-15g, stir-fried radish seed 3-15g, Coix lacryma-jobi 5-20g, Nelumbo nucifera seed 5-20g, Citrus medica 1-10g, Citrus reticulata peel 1-9g, Amomum villosum 0.2-6g, Ziziphus jujuba 2-15g, stir-fried Glycyrrhiza uralensis 1-6g, resistant dextrin 5-15g, Euryale ferox 5-20g.

2. The formula for a food-medicine homology product for improving phlegm-dampness constitution as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The preferred weight composition of the food formula is: 10g Ganoderma lucidum, 10g Codonopsis pilosula, 10g Poria cocos, 12g stir-fried white hyacinth bean, 10g Dioscorea opposita, 1g cinnamon, 2g Alpinia oxyphylla, 4g hawthorn, 4g stir-fried radish seed, 6g Coix lacryma-jobi, 6g lotus seed, 3g Citrus medica, 4g dried tangerine peel, 6g Amomum villosum, 3g jujube, 2g stir-fried licorice root, 6g resistant dextrin, 6g Euryale ferox.

3. The preparation process of a food-medicine homology formula for improving phlegm-dampness constitution as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The specific steps are as follows: separate soaking, setting the soaking time, boiling, filtering and concentrating, and obtaining substance B. S1. Soak separately: Weigh the following ingredients from the food formula: Ganoderma lucidum, Codonopsis pilosula, Poria cocos, white hyacinth bean, yam, jujube, roasted licorice root, hawthorn, stir-fried radish seed, coix seed, lotus seed, euryale seed, and Alpinia oxyphylla, and put them into soaking container A. Add water that is 10 times the weight of the above ingredients. After weighing the cinnamon, Buddha's hand, dried tangerine peel, and cardamom, place them in soaking container B, and add water that is 10 times the weight of the above materials. S2. Soaking time setting: 1.5 hours in winter, 1 hour in spring and autumn, and 40 minutes in summer; S3. Cooking: First, boil the ingredients in container A over high heat until boiling, then reduce to low heat and simmer for 30 minutes. Then, pour the ingredients from container B into container A, and cook for 10 minutes after the water boils. S4. Filtration and concentration preparation: After filtering the dregs, filtrate A is obtained. The filtered dregs are put back into container A, and water with a total weight of 5 times the filtered dregs is added. After the water boils, the timer is set and the mixture is decocted for 20 minutes. Filtrate B is obtained by filtration. Filtrate A and filtrate B are combined, concentrated and dried to obtain extract A. S5. Add resistant dextrin to extract A, mix well and obtain substance B.

4. The application of the food-medicine homology formula for improving phlegm-dampness constitution as described in claim 3, characterized in that, Substance B is prepared into a beverage or solid beverage by adding a diluent and sucralose using conventional preparation processes.