Among the six pathogenic factors of wind, cold, heat, dampness, dryness, and fire, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is particularly wary of dampness. Why is that? Because dampness can transform into cold dampness when encountering cold, into damp-heat when meeting heat, and into wind-dampness when affected by wind. Therefore, when there is dampness in the body, it can easily combine with external pathogenic factors, leading to various diseases. Today, I will share some traditional home remedies for those troubled by dampness, professional dampness-removing methods, and precautions to prevent dampness, hoping to help those suffering from related ailments.
【14 Dampness-Removing Methods Recommended by Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners】
1. Celery Soup
250g of celery, decocted into soup, consume both the vegetables and the broth continuously.
2. Cang Er Zi (Xanthium fruit) and Fang Feng (Siler) with Brown Sugar Decoction
60g of Cang Er Zi, 60g of Fang Feng, and 25g of brown sugar. Boil Cang Er Zi and Fang Feng in water to make a concentrated decoction, add brown sugar, and take two tablespoons with hot water each time.
3. Green Bean, Yi Yi Ren (Job’s tears), and Kelp Soup
30g of green beans, 30g of Yi Yi Ren, and 20g of kelp, boiled in water, add an appropriate amount of brown sugar. Take 1-2 times daily.
4. Chinese Cabbage Root Soup
200g of Chinese cabbage root, 20g of honeysuckle, 20g of purple-backed duckweed, and 20g of earth tuckahoe, decocted in water, add an appropriate amount of brown sugar to adjust the flavor, take 1-2 times daily.
5. Chinese Cabbage and Radish Soup
100g of fresh Chinese cabbage, 100g of carrot, and 20ml of honey. Wash and chop the cabbage and carrot, boil with 2 bowls of vegetables to 1 bowl of water, cook for 5 minutes, then add honey when drinking the soup, take 2 times daily.
6. Job’s Tears and Red Beans
30g of Job’s tears and 15g of red beans, boiled together until the beans are soft, add white sugar to taste, take in the morning and evening.
7. Decoction of Portulaca Oleracea
30-60g of fresh Portulaca oleracea, decocted in water, taken several times daily, can also be used for external washing.
8. Winter Melon Soup
250g of winter melon with skin, cut into pieces, boiled and consumed.
9. Decoction of Cucumber
30g of cucumber peel, boiled in water for 3 minutes, add sugar to taste, take 3 times a day.
10. Green Bean and Kelp Porridge
30g of green beans, 50g of soaked kelp, and an appropriate amount of glutinous rice and brown sugar. Boil the green beans and glutinous rice into porridge, add finely chopped kelp, cook for another 3 minutes, and add brown sugar.
11. Moxibustion
Moxibustion is a common TCM treatment method that is very effective in removing cold dampness. The method is simple: light the moxa stick and perform moxibustion on 7 acupuncture points: Yongquan (Kidney 1), San Yin Jiao (Spleen 6), Zhong Wan (Ren 12), Ju Que (Ren 14), Yin Ling Quan (Spleen 9), Cheng Shan (Bladder 57), and Qu Chi (Large Intestine 11). The effects on treating heavy dampness are quite good, and after consistent use for a period, the cold dampness in the body will significantly reduce.
12. Cupping Therapy
TCM cupping can also effectively remove cold dampness. It is generally recommended to perform cupping during the hot summer months for better results. After cupping, the skin may show some minor issues, such as redness, itching, or small blisters, which usually do not require concern; however, if the situation is severe, please seek medical attention promptly.
13. Sauna
Regular sauna sessions can help expel dampness and cold from the body. During the sauna, the body temperature rises, causing the pores on the skin to open, allowing for heat dissipation through sweating. Many cold and damp elements are expelled through sweat.
14. Foot Soaking
Consistently soaking your feet in hot water can also help eliminate cold and dampness. Therefore, friends with heavy cold and dampness in their bodies can try this method, which is simple and practical. In addition to using plain hot water, you can also soak your feet in mugwort water or Chinese prickly ash water for better effects.
【TCM Dampness-Removing Methods】
It is worth noting that the above dampness-removing methods can be cumbersome and take a long time. If you truly want to achieve quick results in eliminating dampness, professional dampness-removing methods are still necessary. A selection of 16 high-quality herbs, including 8 aromatic herbs, is used in the famous formula Bai Xiang · Yu Shi · Tie.
This formula, when applied, can regulate the spleen, stomach, lungs, and kidneys internally; externally, it alleviates symptoms caused by dampness such as throat itchiness, dry mouth, bitter taste, thirst, body aches, dizziness, headaches, oily skin, acne, loose stools, and anal itching; it promotes dampness transformation and often shows effects within two days.
Aromatic dampness transformation is the core foundation of TCM dampness removal, and applying it at the navel aligns with the principles of dampness removal. This dual approach makes dampness removal more thorough. Since this formula is a key focus of national support for traditional Chinese medicine, it can be accessed through technology, making it suitable for personal use or as a gift for family and friends for daily health maintenance.
【15 Precautions for Dampness Removal】
1. Red beans are used for dampness removal, not adzuki beans.
2. Moderate exercise to promote sweating balances hormones and removes dampness.
3. The most common method is moxibustion on the Guanyuan (Ren 4) point.
4. Eat three slices of ginger every morning.
5. If time allows, remember to maintain a half-hour nap every day.
6. Avoid smoking and drinking unless necessary.
7. Avoid heavy flavors; opt for light and easily digestible foods.
8. Avoid prolonged exposure to damp environments.
9. Maintain a cheerful mood; remember that worry harms the spleen, which can cause damage to the body over time.
10. Keep indoor air circulation to help remove excess dampness; tools like fans can assist in this process.
11. Sweet and greasy foods can exacerbate dampness; those with heavy dampness should minimize their intake of such foods.
12. Limit consumption of raw and cold foods to avoid affecting digestive function, which can worsen dampness.
13. After washing your hair, wait for it to dry before massaging the scalp; do not massage while wet to prevent dampness from entering the scalp.
14. Avoid getting caught in the rain or wearing damp clothes; do not seek excessive coolness on hot days.
15. For those long troubled by dampness, consider long-term treatments like moxibustion and massage; do not easily trust a single method for dampness removal.
Dampness often troubles our lives, causing discomfort and adding many worries. I hope the 14 folk remedies for dampness removal, a famous dampness-removing formula, and the 15 precautions against dampness can raise awareness about health. Finally, I hope all patients suffering from heavy dampness can gradually improve their condition and achieve a healthy body.
