Traditional Chinese Medicine: How to Remove Dampness

Dampness, as a pathological product in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) theory, is often overlooked. However, when dampness accumulates in the body over time, it can lead to various health problems. Dampness is particularly prone to invade the body during humid seasons, affecting health. This article explores the definition of dampness, assessment criteria, methods for improvement, and how to effectively remove internal dampness using TCM techniques.

What is Dampness?

In TCM, dampness is a common pathogenic factor, referring to a pathological state caused by the stagnation and poor movement of water and moisture within the body. Dampness is categorized into external and internal types. External dampness is usually caused by environmental factors, such as prolonged exposure to a damp environment, getting caught in the rain, or wading through water. Internal dampness, on the other hand, is often due to a dysfunction of the spleen and stomach. The spleen and stomach are responsible for the transportation and transformation of water and moisture; when they are weak, moisture cannot be properly metabolized and accumulates in the body, forming dampness. Dampness is characterized by its sticky, heavy nature, which can obstruct the flow of qi and blood, leading to various discomforts.

How to Quickly Assess the Severity of Dampness

To determine if internal dampness is excessive, consider the following aspects:

Tongue Coating: A thick, greasy, and excessively moist tongue coating, appearing white or yellow and sticky, indicates heavy dampness. Normal tongue coating should be thin, white, and moist. If the coating is significantly thick and oily, it suggests considerable internal dampness.

Bowel Movements: People with heavy dampness often experience sticky, unformed stools, with difficulty in completely flushing out during defecation. Some may also experience alternating constipation and diarrhea, which are signs of excessive internal dampness.

Physical Sensations: Individuals with heavy dampness often feel a sense of heaviness in the body, fatigue in the limbs, and dizziness. These symptoms tend to worsen in humid weather. If you frequently feel heavy and low in energy, dampness might be the cause.

Morning Symptoms: If you feel heavy, bloated, and weak in the limbs upon waking up in the morning, these are signs of excessive dampness.

How to Improve Heavy Dampness

Although heavy dampness is common, it can be effectively managed through proper lifestyle adjustments. Here are some common methods to improve heavy dampness:

Appropriate Exercise: Exercise is an effective way to expel dampness. Sweating helps release excess dampness from the body. Suitable exercises include running, yoga, and brisk walking. Exercise should be performed in the morning or evening, avoiding intense workouts in humid weather.

Dietary Adjustments: People with heavy dampness should avoid consuming cold or greasy foods. Cold foods can harm the spleen and stomach, exacerbating dampness, while greasy foods can generate damp heat. It is advisable to eat foods that strengthen the spleen and remove dampness, such as job’s tears, red beans, yam, and winter melon. These foods aid in the metabolism of moisture and promote the elimination of dampness.

Maintain a Dry Environment: High humidity in living environments can worsen dampness. Therefore, keep your living space well-ventilated and use dehumidifiers or air conditioners to reduce indoor humidity. Extra attention should be paid during the rainy season to maintain a dry environment.

Warmth Maintenance: Individuals with heavy dampness should pay attention to staying warm, especially in cold, damp weather or air-conditioned rooms. Foot baths can help promote blood circulation and aid in dampness removal.

Recommended Dampness-Removing Foods

In TCM, some foods have inherent dampness-removing properties. Here are a few commonly recommended dampness-removing foods:

Job’s Tears: Job’s tears have a cooling effect and can help with water metabolism, strengthen the spleen, and eliminate dampness. They can be used in porridge, soups, or teas and are suitable for long-term consumption.

Red Beans: Red beans have a neutral property and are known for their spleen-strengthening and water-draining effects. Red bean soup with job’s tears is a common remedy for dampness.

Winter Melon: Winter melon has a cold nature, aiding in diuresis, reducing swelling, and clearing heat. Consuming winter melon in summer can help dispel dampness and cool the body.

Poria: Poria is neutral and sweet, entering the spleen channel, and has effects of strengthening the spleen, removing dampness, and calming the mind. It is commonly used in soups or as a dessert ingredient and is suitable for long-term consumption.

Ginger and Job’s Tears Tea: Ginger and job’s tears tea combines the warming properties of ginger with the moisture-removing effects of job’s tears. This tea helps to expel dampness from the body. It is particularly beneficial for those with a cold and damp constitution and should be consumed in the morning on an empty stomach for optimal results.

TCM Treatment Methods

In addition to dietary adjustments, TCM offers several effective external treatments for removing dampness. Here are some common TCM methods:

Gua Sha

Gua Sha involves scraping specific areas of the skin with a tool to promote qi flow and blood circulation. For heavy dampness, Gua Sha can help expel dampness and toxins, especially focusing on the spleen channel and the bladder meridian on the back. The principle is to invigorate the body’s yang energy, which will gradually dispel internal dampness. The frequency and duration of Gua Sha should be adjusted based on individual conditions. The first session can be shorter, and subsequent sessions should be spaced about a week apart.

Moxibustion

Moxibustion involves burning mugwort to stimulate specific acupoints, utilizing its warmth to open the meridians and dispel cold and dampness. Here are six key acupoints for dampness removal:

Guanyuan (CV4): Located three inches below the navel. Moxibustion at this point can effectively regulate qi and blood, and is beneficial for kidney tonification.

Fenglong (ST40): Located eight inches above the external ankle point on the outer leg. This point is effective for relieving headaches, dizziness, and excessive phlegm.

Zhongwan (CV12): Located four inches above the navel. Moxibustion at this point can alleviate gastrointestinal discomforts such as diarrhea, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, nausea, heartburn, and belching.

Jiexie (BL63): Located in front of the ankle joint on the foot. This point is important for draining stomach dampness and addressing lower body edema.

Chengshan (BL57): Located at the lower edge of the calf muscle. Moxibustion at this point helps expel internal dampness, with a recommended duration of fifteen minutes daily.

Zusanli (ST36): Located three inches below the knee on the outer side of the tibia. This point helps dry dampness, stimulate spleen qi, and restore the function of the spleen and stomach.

Cupping Therapy

Cupping involves using negative pressure to stimulate surface acupoints, achieving effects such as qi activation, blood circulation, and dampness removal. Key cupping areas include:

Muscle Areas Along the Spine: The muscles along the spine are rich in muscles and are where the bladder meridian runs. Stimulating these areas can enhance water metabolism and help expel dampness.

Yongquan (KD1): Located in the center of the sole, this point helps regulate kidney function and water metabolism. Cupping at this point can promote smooth qi and blood flow and aid in dampness removal.

Zusanli (ST36): This important point promotes gastrointestinal function and water metabolism. Cupping here can help restore the spleen’s ability to transform and transport moisture.

Conclusion

Dampness is a common pathological factor that, if left unaddressed, can negatively impact health. Through daily dietary adjustments, proper exercise, maintaining a dry environment, and utilizing TCM techniques such as Gua Sha, moxibustion, and cupping therapy, internal dampness can be effectively removed, restoring vitality and well-being. If you suspect that you have excessive internal dampness, it is advisable to take action early to prevent further health issues.