Inability to digest fat

This would be impossible to answer as you have asked it as it&#39s both unclear what your actual symptoms are and there are a number of possible causes of issues digesting fats. If you haven&#39t yet seen an acupuncturist, I strongly suggest you do so you can get a proper diagnosis which will lead you to potential formulas which may be helpful. Also if you have had western examinations and bloodwork that would be helpful as well.

If you would like me to offer a little more insight I would have to know quite a bit more about your case. What do you mean -in exact terms- by inability to digest fats? Does this mean you get reflux after you eat a fatty meal?, you have been clinically diagnosed with something like pancreatitis?, you feel nauseated with lots of foods and moreso with fats?, etc.... It&#39s hard to even generalize an answer except to say these issues usually involve a range of conditions from gall bladder/liver trouble to issues like pancreatitis. If you can help to clarify the symptoms as well as describe any other health issues you have even if they seem unrelated that would be helpful.

Have you tried any other herbal formulas previously from the other acupuncturists you have seen? How long and how frequently did you do acupuncture previously and what if anything changed? If your symptoms did improve during acupuncture and then returned how long did you go before that happened?

Also, please describe the last 5 meals that you have had.

If possible also include a picture of your tongue in the comment, or just describe it generally - yellow coating? red with teethmarks on the side?, etc.?

I&#39m fairly certain gui pi tang is not going to be right for you. How do you usually feel temperature wise - hot or cold? Any heat signs at night or nightsweats?

You need to get some vegetables into your diet which will better help cool and lubricate the body and intestines. You also need, more than likely, to be on a different formula that isn&#39t quite as strenghtening as gui pi wan. The pain in your flank, does it come and go as you eat or is it just there most of the time? Have you had an exam by a western doctor to look at your gallbladder in particular?

If your flank pain is worse after you eat or you&#39re not too sure, I would both change your diet a little (less bread/oil, more cooked vegetables) and then possibly use li dan wan 3x/day with meals if your practitioner thinks that is a good idea for about 6 weeks along with something that will better take out some heat - perhaps suan zao ren or gan mai da zao in the evenings perhaps a dinner and bedtime dose (again whatever formula and dosage your current practitioner thinks would be correct).

This tongue strongly indicates the symptom of Deficiency of Spleen Qi, which means the body is unable to transform and transport the fluids.

The crack in the centre could indicate a constitutional weakness of the heart and the swelling around it could indicate Heart qi being disturbed by emotional trauma.

Accumulation of dampness leads to the formation of phlegm and fire in the stomach.

Slight cracks around the main crack again denote a chronic Deficiency of Spleen qi.

The image also shows teeth marks around the edge of the tongue which again indicates spleen problems.

Subject to the information you have previously received, I would suggest your practitioner consider focussing on this symptom, if he hasn&#39t already, using either appropriate acupuncture points or appropriate herbal combinations.

If you are suffering any emotional problems, these possibly could be the ultimate cause and would need to be addressed using again herbs or acupuncture.

Thank you very much Wen Kai.