Jiang Zhi Jian Fei Pian is mainly used to treat
obesity and its complications.
Chen studied Jiang Zhi Jian Pei Pian's effectiveness in treating obesity and the complications by the following multiple-group experiment: Group A, with 137 patients, took five tablets of Jiang Zhi Jian Fei Pian at 9pm daily; Group B, with 65 patients, was treated with a plaster made with vaccaria seeds (Semen Vaccariae) and applied at 8pm daily to the otopoints related to the lung, stomach, large intestine, endocrine, thalamus, thirst and hunger points. In addition, 15 minutes before meals, the patients pressed the above otopoints until a sensation of either pain, warmth, or swelling was felt; and Group C, with 135 patients, served as a blank control group. The results: at the end of the seven-day experiment, patients in Groups A, B, and C on average lost 4.37, 2.63 and 2.32 pounds, respectively, and the their waistline shrank by 3.89, 2.43, and 1.96 inches, respectively.(3)
Jiao, et al. treated 216 cases of senile simple obesity with this formula. The patients took 4-6 tablets half an hour before meal, 2-3 times a day (47 patients also took phenfulamine). One course of treatment lasted three months. The results: the treatment was significantly effective in 72 cases, effective in 118 cases, and ineffective in 26 cases, with a total effective rate of 88%. On average, the patients lost 10.38 pounds, and their waistline shrank 1.81 inches.(4)
Shen, et al. treated 72 cases of childhood simple obesity with this formula. The patients took 3-5 tablets before a meal, 2-3 times a day (12 patients also took phenfulamine). The dosage was adjusted within the recommended range to maintain 2-3 defecations a day. Three months comprised one course of treatment. While under treatment, the patients were instructed to stick to a balanced diet and to exercise. The results: 15 cases significantly improved, 49 cases improved, 8 cases did not respond to the treatment, with a total effective rate of 88.9%.(5)
Gao, et al. used this formula to treat 20 cases of obesity accompanied with menstrual irregularities. The patients took 5-10 tablets half an hour before a meal, 2-3 times a day. The results: after taking the formula for three months, the patients on average lost 12.87 pounds, and their menstruation returned to normal.(6)
Jiao, et al. treated 115 cases of simple obesity with this formula. Among the patients treated, 24 had obesity-associated elevated blood viscosity. The patients took 5-10 tablets half an hour before a meal, 2-3 times a day. Three months constituted a course of treatment. In addition, once or twice a day, Da Huang (Rhubarb) extract was rubbed into the skin of the abdominal area. The results: the patients stayed in the hospital for an average of 46 days, lost an average of 30.91 pounds, and their waistline on average shrank 4.13 inches. Of the 24 patients with elevated blood viscosity, 21 significantly improved, 1 improved, and 2 did not respond to the treatment, with a total effective rate of 91.7%.(7)
In another study, Jiao, et al. treated 42 cases of simple obesity accompanied with hyperlipemia with this formula. The patients took 8-10 tablets half an hour before a mean, three times a day. Three months constituted a course of treatment. The results: 35 cases significantly improved, 5 cases improved, and 2 cases did not respond to the treatment, with a total effective rate of 95.3%. On average, the patients had a weight loss of 24.28 pounds, and a waistline reduction of 3.62 inches. A more detailed breakdown of the results looked like this: of the 20 patients with high cholesterol levels, 11 significantly improved, 5 improved, and 4 did not respond to the treatment, with a total effective rate of 80%; the corresponding numbers for the 25 patients hypertriglyceridemia were: 9, 10, 6, and 76% respectively; and those for 28 patients with high lipid protein levels were: 15, 3, 10, and 64.3% respectively.(8)