“Damp-heat is the root of all diseases,” a statement that many may not understand, but anyone well-versed in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) can grasp its significance. Dampness and heat are two external pathogenic factors that can cause illness in any season. Dampness is heavy, turbid, and sticky, making it difficult to eliminate, and it can manifest in various parts of the body, affecting the organs, meridians, muscles, skin, and lower body.

Dampness stagnating in the organs and meridians easily obstructs the flow of Qi, damages Yang Qi, and tends to linger, making it difficult to treat and often leading to chronic conditions. Particularly, the combination of damp-heat and heat pathogens complicates the removal of dampness. As noted by Zhu Danxi in the Yuan Dynasty, “Among the six Qi, damp-heat is the cause of illness in eight or nine out of ten cases.” Its treatment has always been challenging and often results in prolonged illness.

Moreover, damp-heat originates from the spleen and stomach, which are considered the “foundation of postnatal life.” The spleen and stomach are also the “source of damp-heat” and the “center of transmission.” The five internal organs are interconnected, and the twelve meridians and eight extraordinary vessels are linked, so once damp-heat affects the spleen and stomach, it can lead to systemic diseases. If damp-heat persists, it will transmit to other organs and meridians, even affecting the limbs and causing various diseases. Therefore, by preventing and treating damp-heat, we can effectively manage many illnesses.

Based on clinical experience, we can see that many diseases stem from damp-heat.

Most Skin Diseases Are Caused by Damp-Heat

When damp-heat lingers in the spleen and stomach, it first causes the Qi, blood, and body fluids of the five internal organs to become overheated, exceeding the body’s necessary temperature, leading to various pathological phenomena that harm the skin, such as eczema, acne, chloasma, psoriasis, and vitiligo. These conditions must be treated by addressing damp-heat to find effective remedies.

Most Liver and Gallbladder Diseases Are Caused by Damp-Heat

In liver and gallbladder diseases, the most common symptom is jaundice, with hepatitis and cholecystitis being frequently heard diagnoses. The etiology of these diseases is closely related to damp-heat. When damp-heat persists in the spleen and stomach, it inevitably affects the liver and gallbladder, leading to dysfunction. Thus, various acute and chronic hepatitis, liver cirrhosis, ascites, acute and chronic cholecystitis, gallstones, and acute and chronic pancreatitis are mostly associated with damp-heat. Treatment should primarily focus on eliminating damp-heat.

Urological and Reproductive System Diseases Are Also Caused by Damp-Heat

Many of us have heard the term “damp-heat descending,” which is an important phenomenon of damp-heat transmission. Damp-heat originates from the middle burner, first harming the upper burner, and eventually reaching the lower burner. Therefore, as long as there is damp-heat in the body, it will inevitably harm the lower burner, which includes the kidneys, bladder, large and small intestines, and reproductive organs. When damp-heat descends to the lower burner, it predisposes individuals to diseases, making urological and reproductive system diseases often caused by damp-heat, and treatment should focus on addressing damp-heat.

It is also important to note that many gynecological diseases severely affect the physical and mental health of contemporary women. In fact, gynecological diseases characterized by dampness, odor, fishy smell, and decay fundamentally stem from the presence of damp-heat in the body. Understanding this, clinical prevention and treatment should focus on eliminating damp-heat under the guidance of a physician to avoid ignorance leading to harm.

Many Modern Diseases Are Also Caused by Damp-Heat

Hypertension, hyperlipidemia, diabetes, obesity, and fatty liver disease, when analyzed pathologically, are all caused by damp-heat. This is because damp-heat significantly affects Qi, blood, and body fluids, and the root of these diseases lies in excessive internal energy, leading to the generation of damp-heat, which causes abnormalities in blood lipids, blood sugar, and blood viscosity. If we take preventive measures at the onset of damp-heat, many tragedies could be avoided.

Additionally, conditions such as damp-heat cough and damp-heat heart disease (viral myocarditis) are caused by damp-heat invading the upper burner and affecting the heart and lungs.

In summary, damp-heat has created and continues to create troubles and suffering for modern individuals. We must pay attention to it, understand it, prevent it, and treat it to maintain our health. So how do we prevent it? We need to find methods from the root of the disease.

Maintaining Zheng Qi internally and avoiding Xie Qi externally is the foundation of health: Humans must rely on the materials provided by nature to survive. To avoid damp-heat harming the body, it is crucial to maintain internal Zheng Qi and avoid external Xie Qi. Nourishing Zheng Qi means nurturing the essence, Qi, and spirit of the body, ensuring the normal function of the internal organs and that Zheng Qi is not deficient. This way, “when the five organs are unobstructed, the person is peaceful and harmonious,” making it difficult for external pathogenic factors to invade. Even if external pathogens do invade, we can avoid diseases caused by them.

“Externally being cautious of Xie Qi” means being vigilant against all external factors that can cause illness, primarily through early treatment of diseases and moderation in lifestyle to promote health. In the following content, we will address how to prevent and treat damp-heat harm to the body, hoping to be of help to everyone.

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