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Dampness is a widespread pathogenic factor that can lead to numerous diseases. Its nature is sticky, and damp diseases often develop slowly, lingering after onset and are difficult to eliminate. Western medicine struggles to treat these conditions, while Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has advantages in regulation. The dampness from the heavens is caused by hot summer weather, mist, and rain; the dampness from the earth is found in low-lying areas, near rivers, lakes, and seas; human-induced dampness arises from overeating, excessive consumption of tea and alcohol, and indulgence in cold foods. The dampness from heaven and earth primarily affects the body externally, while dietary issues often lead to internal dampness.
The discussion of dampness began in the Huangdi Neijing (Yellow Emperor’s Inner Canon) and Nanjing (Classic of Difficult Issues), with the term “damp disease” traceable to the Jinkui Yaolue (Essential Prescriptions of the Golden Chamber). The earliest mention of damp syndrome can be found in the Jingyue Quanshu (Complete Works of Jingyue), with specific discussions by Xue Xue in the Wet Heat Disease Chapter.
Today, we will explore 12 diagnostic patterns and methods for eliminating dampness.
1. Dampness Accumulation in the Stomach and Intestines
Symptoms: Distension and discomfort in the stomach area, fullness after eating, nausea, reduced appetite, belching, pale red tongue with a thin white greasy coating, slippery or soft pulse.
Treatment Principle: Aromatic transformation of turbidity, harmonizing the stomach and descending rebellious qi.
Recommended Formula: Huo Xiang Zheng Qi San (Agastache Qi Correcting Powder) modified.
2. Dampness Obstructing the Spleen
Symptoms: Abdominal distension, fatigue, heaviness in limbs, poor appetite, aversion to greasy foods, sticky mouth, white phlegm, sticky or loose stools, pale red tongue with a white greasy coating, slippery pulse.
Treatment Principle: Aromatic awakening of the spleen, drying dampness and moving qi.
Recommended Formula: Huo Xiang Zheng Qi San (Agastache Qi Correcting Powder) modified.
3. Damp-Heat Accumulation
Symptoms: Discomfort in the chest, abdominal distension, heaviness in limbs, dry mouth with a bitter taste, sticky stools or constipation, yellow turbid urine, afternoon fever, irritability, pale red or red tongue with a yellow greasy coating, slippery or rapid pulse.
Treatment Principle: Clear heat and eliminate dampness, regulate the middle and move qi.
Recommended Formula: Huang Lian Jie Du Tang (Coptis Decoction to Relieve Toxicity) combined with San Miao Wan (Three Marvels Pill) modified.
4. Cold Dampness Obstructing the Middle
Symptoms: Abdominal distension, dull pain that worsens with cold, relief with warmth, clear watery diarrhea, poor appetite, pale tongue with a white greasy coating, deep and slow pulse.
Treatment Principle: Warm the middle, disperse cold, dry dampness and move qi.
Recommended Formula: Fu Zi Li Zhong Tang (Aconite Decoction to Regulate the Middle) modified.
5. Spleen Qi Deficiency with Dampness
Symptoms: Abdominal distension worsens after eating, heavy head, pale yellow complexion, fatigue, reluctance to move, pale tongue with teeth marks, thin white greasy coating, weak pulse.
Treatment Principle: Tonify qi, strengthen the spleen, transform turbidity and eliminate dampness.
Recommended Formula: Huang Qi Bu Zhong Tang (Astragalus Decoction to Tonify the Middle) modified.
6. Diffuse Dampness with Upper and Middle Jiao Involvement
Symptoms: Chest tightness, abdominal distension, heavy head, poor appetite, sticky mouth, lack of thirst, pale red tongue with a white greasy coating, slippery pulse.
Treatment Principle: Disseminate lung qi, regulate qi, strengthen the spleen and eliminate dampness.
Recommended Formula: Ban Xia Hou Po Tang (Pinellia and Magnolia Bark Decoction) modified.
7. Dampness Obstructing the Liver and Spleen
Symptoms: Distension in the hypochondrium, abdominal discomfort, dull pain, pain worsens with diarrhea, relief after bowel movement, fatigue, poor appetite, pale tongue with a white greasy coating, weak and wiry pulse.
Treatment Principle: Soothe the liver, relieve stagnation, dry dampness and move the spleen.
Recommended Formula: Xiao Yao San (Free and Easy Wanderer Powder) combined with Tong Xie Yao Fang (Important Formula for Painful Diarrhea) modified.
8. Dampness Obstructing the Liver and Gallbladder with Heat Leading to Jaundice
Symptoms: Fullness and discomfort in the chest and hypochondrium, pain in the ribs, jaundice, abdominal distension, dry sticky mouth, nausea, poor appetite, yellow turbid urine, unformed stools, pale tongue with a thin yellow greasy coating, slippery and wiry pulse.
Treatment Principle: Soothe the liver, benefit the gallbladder, clear heat and eliminate dampness.
Recommended Formula: Yin Chen Hao Tang (Artemisia Scoparia Decoction) modified.
9. Dampness Obstructing with Yang Deficiency of the Spleen and Kidney
Symptoms: Abdominal discomfort, intermittent pain, relief with warmth, poor appetite, pale complexion, fatigue, heaviness in limbs, cold intolerance, loose stools, pale tongue with teeth marks, white greasy coating, deep and weak pulse.
Treatment Principle: Tonify spleen and kidney, warm yang and transform dampness.
Recommended Formula: Fu Zi Li Zhong Tang (Aconite Decoction to Regulate the Middle) modified.
10. Damp-Heat Obstructing the Intestines
Symptoms: Diarrhea with red and white mucus and blood, burning sensation in the anus, abdominal pain and distension, urgency with a feeling of heaviness, fever and irritability, short and red urine, yellow greasy tongue coating, slippery and rapid pulse.
Treatment Principle: Clear heat, dry dampness, regulate qi and invigorate blood.
Recommended Formula: Shao Yao Tang (Peony Decoction) modified.
11. Dampness Obstructing the Uterus, Affecting the Ren Channel
Symptoms: Excessive vaginal discharge, either clear and thin like mucus or yellow and foul-smelling, heaviness and soreness in the lower back and knees, distension in the lower abdomen, fatigue, greasy tongue coating, slow and slippery pulse.
Treatment Principle: For white discharge, strengthen the spleen and dry dampness; for yellow discharge, clear heat and dry dampness.
Recommended Formula: Si Jun Zi Tang (Four Gentlemen Decoction) modified.
12. Dampness Obstructing the Bladder
Symptoms: Distension in the lower abdomen, frequent urination, painful urination with a burning sensation, sticky mouth, lack of thirst, yellow greasy tongue coating, slippery and rapid pulse.
Treatment Principle: Clear heat, eliminate dampness, and promote urination.
Recommended Formula: Ba Zheng San (Eight Correcting Powder) modified.
Dampness is a widespread pathogenic factor that can lead to numerous diseases. Its nature is sticky, and damp diseases often develop slowly, lingering after onset and are difficult to eliminate. Western medicine struggles to treat these conditions, while Traditional Chinese Medicine has advantages in regulation. The key is to clearly differentiate the patterns during the improvement process.
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