We all know that stress can wreak havoc on the body—but did you know it can also change how we eat and gain weight? One study found that when stress hormones stick around too long, they make our brains more reactive to stress. In response, many people turn to high-calorie comfort foods.
These foods increase belly fat and insulin levels, which appear to calm the brain. It’s a messy cycle that might be helped by Big Gigantic (Da Ju, ST27), a commonly used acupoint with impressive benefits. While it won’t erase your snack cravings, it may help you slim down your lower belly and support your digestive system.
What the Classics Say
Da Ju was first recorded in “The A-B Classic of Acupuncture and Moxibustion,” one of the oldest texts in traditional Chinese medicine. It belongs to the Stomach meridian, so naturally, it supports digestive health. What makes it fascinating is its connection to the kidney system—tying it to the body’s core vital energy, or yuanqi, that, according to TCM theory, is inherited from your parents. The stomach and spleen manage your postnatal energy—how your body changes in response to life’s stressors, while the kidneys are in charge of your foundation—what you were born with. Da Ju is one of those rare points that connect to both.
Supporting the Gut and Beyond
In practical terms, Da Ju helps alleviate bloating, improve digestion, and even address hernias. Its location and function make it useful for addressing lower belly bulge—the weight that accumulates in the lower abdomen. TCM practitioners recommend stimulating the acupoint regularly to help the body shed weight.
Moreen Liao
R.Ph. of TCM (Taiwan)
Moreen was born into a family with a lineage of four generations of traditional Chinese medicine doctors and professors.
She was Dean of the Natural Therapies Institute in Sydney, Australia.
Drawing on her family heritage, she created a certified organic wellness brand, and co-founded the largest Chinese medical image encyclopedia online.
