Dr. Xiao Bai: TCM Case Studies / Medical Discussions / Reference Articles for Clinical TCM Learning
The Story of Wet Clothes — Diagnosis and Treatment of Damp-Heat Syndrome
To Combat Dampness, Key is to Regulate the Spleen
Let us delve deeper into why dampness arises in the human body. Although we can use diuretic herbs to reverse the pathogenesis of damp-heat diseases, if the source of dampness is not addressed, it will reoccur even after the dampness has been expelled, leading to persistent illness.Among the five elements, Earth can control Water, thus the origin of dampness must be sought in “Earth”.“The Spleen and Stomach belong to Earth; the Stomach prefers dampness and dislikes dryness, while the Spleen prefers dryness and dislikes dampness.” The generation of dampness is closely related to the dysfunction of the Spleen. When the Spleen is deficient and fails to transport, it easily leads to the stagnation of water and dampness, transforming into dampness evil.
🔺 To Eliminate Dampness, Strengthen the Spleen for Fundamental Treatment of Damp DiseasesFrom the above analysis, it is clear that the key to treating damp-heat diseases is to eliminate dampness. Only by expelling dampness can we reverse the pathogenesis, and strengthening the Spleen is the most effective way to promote the metabolism of water and dampness, fundamentally treating the evil of dampness.Therefore, diuretic herbs that raise Yang, strengthen the Spleen, and eliminate dampness are the fundamental methods for treating damp-heat diseases.
Diseases of the Male Reproductive System Caused by Damp-Heat
Patient Zhang, 40 years old, has experienced frequent urination, weak urination, and incomplete urination for one year, worsening in the last month.One year ago, without obvious cause, he developed frequent urination, weak urination, and incomplete urination, which persisted for more than six months, accompanied by lower back pain, reduced sexual function, yellowish urine, and dampness in the scrotum and groin. Routine examination of prostate fluid showed white blood cells +++, lecithin +, and was clinically diagnosed as chronic prostatitis. He was treated with intravenous antibiotics for more than half a month, which significantly improved the symptoms of frequent urination and incomplete urination, but the lower back pain and reduced sexual function showed no improvement. After stopping the medication for a month, the condition relapsed, prompting him to seek TCM treatment.When he came to my clinic, his tongue coating was thin, yellow, and greasy, with a white root, and his six pulses were sluggish, with a tendency to sink on both sides. Considering other symptoms, I diagnosed him with what TCM refers to as Lin Zheng (dysuria syndrome). This condition is not difficult to treat; generally, it involves soothing the liver, strengthening the Spleen, promoting diuresis, raising Yang, warming Yang, transforming dampness, and detoxifying.I prescribed the following formula: Bai Zhu (White Atractylodes), Cang Zhu (Atractylodes), Feng Fang (Beehive), Hua Shi (Talc), Dong Gua Zi (Winter Melon Seed), Hong Teng (Sargentodoxa), Huang Qi (Astragalus), Ku Shen (Sophora), Da Wu Gong (Giant Centipede), Chai Hu (Bupleurum), Long Dan Cao (Gentian), Sheng Gan Cao (Raw Licorice). Decoction in water, one dose per day.(Bai Zhu 15g, Cang Zhu 10g, Feng Fang 10g, Hua Shi 10g, Dong Gua Zi 20g, Hong Teng 10g, Huang Qi 30g, Ku Shen 5g, Da Wu Gong 2 pieces, Chai Hu 10g, Long Dan Cao 4g, Sheng Gan Cao 6g)After taking five doses, the symptoms of frequent urination, weak urination, and incomplete urination significantly improved, and the dampness in the scrotum also alleviated. Based on his condition, I made slight adjustments to the formula, removing Hua Shi and adding Du Zhong (Eucommia), and the patient took more than ten additional doses, with all symptoms completely resolved.To consolidate the treatment effect and prevent recurrence, I advised him to regularly drink tea made with 10g of Bai Zhu and to eat a handful of raw pumpkin seeds (about 15g) daily. Six months later, when I saw him again, he reported full recovery without recurrence, and his constitution had significantly improved.In the above case, the herbs I used each have their unique benefits.Bai Zhu and Cang Zhu are effective in drying dampness and strengthening the Spleen, promoting the Spleen’s ability to raise clear Yang, thus expelling the heat evil of damp-heat syndrome;Hua Shi, Dong Gua Zi, and Long Dan Cao promote diuresis, and with the expulsion of dampness, the Qi mechanism becomes unobstructed;Feng Fang can warm the kidneys, assist Yang, kill parasites, and detoxify; when combined with Hong Teng and Wu Gong, it can treat the toxins generated from long-standing damp-heat accumulation;Ku Shen clears heat and dries dampness, targeting intestinal dampness, while Long Dan Cao clears heat and dries dampness, targeting liver dampness; together, they ensure that dampness does not linger.
🔺 Dong Gua Zi is Excellent at Transforming Turbid into Clear, Able to Raise Yang and Eliminate DampnessAnother herb worth noting in the formula is Dong Gua Zi, which raises Yang and eliminates dampness, showing remarkable efficacy. According to “Chinese Herbal Medicine”, its functions include moistening the lungs, transforming phlegm, dissipating abscesses, and promoting urination.“Tai’s Herbal Compendium” states: “Using Dong Gua Zi to treat lung diseases and intestinal abscesses is recorded in ‘Jin Kui Yao Lue’. How can the seeds of a vegetable like winter melon have such effects?”It is commonly observed that Dong Gua Zi thrown into pig manure pits does not rot, and the following year, wherever pig manure is applied, winter melons naturally grow. The winter melons that grow in such filth have a sweet and light taste, making them very palatable.Observing this phenomenon, one can understand that Dong Gua Zi is “extremely good at transforming turbid into clear, with strong resistance to contamination, and is a particularly light and clear product”.Based on the characteristics of Dong Gua Zi in raising clear and lowering turbid, it is effective in treating cough with purulent phlegm, lung abscesses, intestinal abscesses, gynecological discharges, and the damp turbidity that occurs during damp-heat diseases, showing significant efficacy.The article is excerpted from:Ren Zhi Tang Medical Principles and Insights / Yu Hao, Author. ─ Beijing: China Traditional Chinese Medicine Publishing House.You May Also Like, click to read the original text:“Ren Zhi Tang Chinese Medicine Lectures” Six Medicines for Unblocking the Intestines, Middle Section[Summary] Compilation of Ren Zhi Tang Pulse and Medicine InsightsFormula for Treating Sprains and Swelling, Treasures from Many Renowned Doctors! Ren Zhi Tang TCM vs. Dr. Li Sheping (Be sure to save this!)//////////[Read Previous Highlights]#Introduction to TCM Collection #Twelve Meridians Explained #Donghai Medical Collection #Old TCM Practitioners’ Experiences #TCM Wonderful Formulas #Secret Formulas #National Master of Medicine#Famous Cases of Cold Damage #Selected Famous Cases from Jin Kui#Si Jun Zi Tang #Etiology Assignment #Herbal Properties Assignment #Herbal Properties Song for 400 Herbs #Medical Three-Character Classic #Daily Insights from Mentorship in Medicine#Daily Insights from Mentorship in Theory, Methods, Formulas, and Herbs#TCM Serialized CollectionWhat is the Essence of Applying Wen Jing Decoction?Zhou Zhongying: Insights and Techniques from 60 Years of TCM Diagnosis (All Essentials)Ding Guangdi: Qiang Huo Sheng Shi Decoction for Treating “Five-Delay Diarrhea”Unexpectedly, “Qing Gu San” is indeed the remedy for fever after bone fractures!Dan Zhu San for Treating Hyperlipidemia (Including Four Recipes for High Lipids)Shanghai Shen’s Gynecology 600-Year Family Secret FormulaRemarkable! A Wonderful Experience of Using Ancient Formulas to Treat Tooth Decay! The Ancient Formula “San Liang Ban” is Effective for Quick Recovery from Lumbar Muscle Strain! 【Save】 Eight Formulas from Nan Master for Treating Insomnia, Hypertension, and Gastrointestinal Diseases!
Recommended Reading:
-END-