In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the “Six Evils” are referred to as “wind, cold, summer heat, dryness, dampness, and fire.” Among these, dampness is considered the most common and difficult to eliminate. If dampness is not removed, it can lead to spleen and stomach disharmony and obstructed transformation and transportation, resulting in symptoms such as body swelling, fatigue, heaviness in the limbs, unformed stools, and easy chest tightness and belching, all of which are manifestations of excessive dampness. So how can we eliminate “dampness”? Below are several traditional Chinese medicines that strengthen the spleen, clear heat, and eliminate dampness.
What are the Traditional Chinese Medicines for Strengthening the Spleen, Clearing Heat, and Eliminating Dampness?
1. Qing Re Qu Shi Granules
The Qing Re Qu Shi Granules can clear heat and eliminate dampness while benefiting qi and generating fluids. Its main ingredients include Dang Shen (Codonopsis), Yin Chen (Artemisia), Huang Qi (Astragalus), Ye Ju Hua (Wild Chrysanthemum), and Gang Mei Gen (Bitter Orange Root). Both Ye Ju Hua and Gang Mei Gen are commonly used herbs for clearing heat and detoxifying, often used to treat high fever and pharyngitis. Yin Chen helps to eliminate dampness, while Dang Shen and Huang Qi tonify qi, achieving the effects of clearing heat, benefiting qi, and strengthening the spleen.
2. Liu Jun Zi Wan
The main ingredients of Liu Jun Zi Wan are Dang Shen (Codonopsis), Chao Bai Zhu (Fried Atractylodes), Fu Ling (Poria), and Ban Xia (Pinellia). Fu Ling is a key herb for eliminating dampness, and there is a specific formula called Fu Ling Qu Shi Tang designed for this purpose. Liu Jun Zi Wan can transform phlegm, eliminate dampness, tonify the spleen, and benefit qi, making it effective for treating spleen and stomach disharmony, poor appetite, and excessive damp phlegm.
3. Si Miao Wan
The main components of Si Miao Wan are Cang Zhu (Atractylodes), Niu Xi (Achyranthes), and Huang Bai (Phellodendron). Niu Xi invigorates blood and promotes circulation, while Huang Bai clears heat and dries dampness. Therefore, the primary effects of Si Miao Wan are to eliminate damp-heat and open the meridians, commonly used to treat joint swelling, pain, and immobility caused by damp-heat accumulation.
4. Gui Pi Wan
Gui Pi Wan is composed of 11 herbs including Dang Shen (Codonopsis), Bai Zhu (Atractylodes), Huang Qi (Astragalus), Fu Ling (Poria), Mu Xiang (Aucklandia), and Dang Gui (Angelica). It is commonly used to regulate heart and spleen deficiency. Symptoms such as shortness of breath, fatigue, palpitations, dizziness, insomnia, and vivid dreams can be nourished by Gui Pi Wan.
5. Shen Ling Bai Zhu San
Shen Ling Bai Zhu San is a common TCM formula for tonifying the spleen and benefiting qi. Its main ingredients include Bai Bian Dou (Lima Bean), Bai Zhu (Atractylodes), Fu Ling (Poria), Ren Shen (Ginseng), and Yi Yi Ren (Job’s Tears). It can benefit the spleen and stomach, tonify lung qi, and is effective for treating qi deficiency cough, small appetite, and unformed stools, and can be used for treating gastroenteritis.
6. Shi Du Qing Capsules
Shi Du Qing Capsules are very effective and inexpensive TCM for clearing dampness and heat. They have good efficacy for itching, peeling, and skin fungus caused by blood heat and heavy dampness. Its main ingredients include Di Huang (Rehmannia), Dang Gui (Angelica), Dan Shen (Salvia), Chan Tui (Cicada Slough), Ku Shen (Sophora), and Bai Xian Pi (Dictamnus). Bai Xian Pi is bitter and cold in nature, with effects of clearing heat, eliminating dampness, and detoxifying.
7. Wu Lin Wan
The main ingredients of Wu Lin Wan are Hai Jin Sha (Lygodium), Guan Mu Tong (Cleome), Zhi Zi (Gardenia), Huang Lian (Coptis), and Shi Wei (Pyrrosia). Hai Jin Sha can clear heat and promote urination, Shi Wei clears heat and promotes diuresis, and Guan Mu Tong clears heat, drains fire, and promotes urination. Therefore, Wu Lin Wan is commonly used to treat lower jiao damp-heat, clearing heat and eliminating dampness, and improving urination.
8. Xiang Lian Hua Zhi Wan
Xiang Lian Hua Zhi Wan is mainly composed of Huang Lian (Coptis), Mu Xiang (Aucklandia), Huang Qin (Scutellaria), and Zhi Shi (Bitter Orange). It has the effects of regulating qi, transforming phlegm, and eliminating heat and accumulation, making it effective for abdominal pain and dysentery caused by damp-heat.
9. Mu Xiang Shun Qi Wan
Mu Xiang Shun Qi Wan is a commonly used medicine for strengthening the spleen, benefiting the stomach, promoting qi, and eliminating dampness. Its main ingredients include Mu Xiang (Aucklandia), Sha Ren (Amomum), and Xiang Fu (Cyperus), which can be used to regulate symptoms caused by damp turbidity obstruction, such as chest tightness, belching, abdominal distension, and nausea.
10. Er Chen Wan
Er Chen Wan mainly consists of Chen Pi (Aged Tangerine Peel), Ban Xia (Pinellia), and Fu Ling (Poria), supplemented with Gan Cao (Licorice) and Sheng Jiang (Fresh Ginger). Fu Ling and Ban Xia can eliminate dampness and regulate qi, making Er Chen Wan effective for treating cough and chest tightness caused by phlegm-dampness, with functions of transforming phlegm, eliminating dampness, and promoting qi.
Conclusion: Many people underestimate the impact of dampness, not realizing that damp-heat can lead to spleen and stomach disharmony, affecting the body’s transformation and transportation. In addition to the 10 traditional Chinese medicines mentioned above for strengthening the spleen, clearing heat, and eliminating dampness, it is also advisable to drink more hot water, avoid cold drinks, and prevent dampness accumulation. Furthermore, regular exercise to induce sweating and soaking feet in hot water are also highly recommended methods in TCM for dampness elimination and health maintenance.
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