Those who frequently read my articles know that I often mention two concepts: Cold Dampness (Han Shi) and Damp Heat (Shi Re). I also frequently add notes under certain formulas indicating that they should not be used for Cold Dampness or Damp Heat.
Many readers then have questions, asking me to clarify what exactly Cold Dampness and Damp Heat are!
In fact, distinguishing between Cold and Damp Heat is quite simple!
——First, let’s examine the person’s tongue coating.
If the tongue is pale with a thick, greasy, and white coating, that indicates Cold Dampness.
Conversely, if the tongue is red with a yellow coating, that indicates Damp Heat.
——Next, let’s look at the person’s urine.
If the urine is clear and prolonged, that indicates Cold Dampness.
If the urine is dark and short, that indicates Damp Heat. Some individuals with a Damp Heat constitution may even feel pain in the urethra when urinating.
——We can also observe the person’s complexion.
Generally, individuals with a Cold Damp constitution have a complexion that appears bluish, yellowish, or dark. They tend to have acne that is closed comedones, with less noticeable redness and swelling.
Individuals with a Damp Heat constitution may have a yellowish complexion, but the bluish tint is less noticeable. Their skin and hair tend to be oily, and their acne is typically inflamed and red.
Men with a Damp Heat constitution may experience painful and urgent urination, while women may be prone to gynecological inflammation. They often feel hot and thirsty, preferring cold water and fruits.
On the other hand, women with a Cold Damp constitution may experience menstrual irregularities, are sensitive to cold, have cold hands and feet, and dislike cold water and fruits.
Of course, these are relatively absolute classifications; in daily life, many people exhibit a mix of Cold Dampness and Damp Heat.
So how do we differentiate this mixed condition? It’s about identifying the main symptoms, as described in TCM, focusing on what your primary feelings are.
For example, some individuals may have oily hair and skin with red inflamed acne but are very sensitive to cold and dislike cold items. If their tongue coating is also white and greasy, even if they show some external signs of Damp Heat, overall, they belong to the Cold Damp category. In my experience, examining the tongue coating is the most accurate; other external manifestations are more subjective.
Now that we have distinguished between Cold Dampness and Damp Heat, let’s look at how to regulate them.
Based on my observations, women from northern regions tend to have more Cold Dampness, while those from southern regions, especially the Guangdong area, tend to have more Damp Heat.
——What to do if Cold Dampness is severe?
For severe Cold Dampness, the formula Ping Wei San (Atractylodes and Poria Decoction) is highly effective. TCM believes that Ping Wei San can transform and transport water and dampness, tonify the Spleen Yang, and clear excess Cold Dampness from the body. If you have a Cold Damp constitution, I recommend trying this formula.
Individuals with severe Cold Dampness can also frequently soak their feet in Hua Jiao (Sichuan Pepper).
Let’s talk about soaking feet in Hua Jiao. Yes, it’s the same Hua Jiao we use in cooking. Not only is it a kitchen ingredient, but it is also excellent for dispelling Cold Dampness. TCM considers Hua Jiao to be warm and pungent, a pure Yang substance that can eliminate Cold Dampness and alleviate pain. It can be taken internally or used externally.
Compared to internal use, I recommend using Hua Jiao externally, as consuming too much can lead to internal heat, while external use is milder and less likely to cause heat.Take about 50 grams of Hua Jiao, slightly boil it, strain the residue, and use the broth to soak your feet until you start to sweat slightly. Consistent use can effectively regulate a Cold Damp constitution.
Additionally, individuals with severe Cold Dampness can frequently use moxibustion on points such as Zu San Li (Stomach 36), San Yin Jiao (Spleen 6), Guan Yuan (Conception Vessel 4), Da Zhui (Governing Vessel 14), and Ming Men (Governing Vessel 4). Regular moxibustion can warm the body and eliminate excess waste water.
In daily habits, individuals with severe Cold Dampness should eat less fruit, avoid cold water, and pay attention to warmth, especially during colder seasons when they should add more clothing. We previously discussed medicinal meals, and Dang Gui, Ginger, and Lamb Soup is very suitable for those with severe Cold Dampness, as it can nourish Qi and blood.
——What to do if Damp Heat is severe?
For women with a Damp Heat constitution, no matter how much you pay attention to hygiene, you always feel sticky. It’s hard to even be a quiet woman, let alone a beauty.
In a crowd, you always stand out because your skin shines, but unfortunately, it’s an oily shine.
Even after washing your face, your skin still feels oily; after washing your hair two days ago, it looks like it hasn’t been washed in a week; acne is excessive, not just on the face but also on the chest and back; body odor is strong, and even perfume can’t mask it; you have embarrassing bad breath, making it hard to kiss someone.
You always feel covered in a layer of grime, never feeling fresh or clean, which can lead to irritability and anger.
If you are such a woman, then using skincare products really won’t help.
Because I used to be a woman with a Damp Heat constitution, washing my face three times a day still left me with a layer of greasy dirt. As my dorm mates would say, I could fry a dish with the oil on my face. I once comforted myself, thinking, “Well, I have oily skin, so what? I just age slower!”
The problem is, the oil from Damp Heat is like dirty gutter oil, accompanied by acne and blackheads. Moreover, this type of oil cannot be controlled by oil-control products. Even the so-called best oil-control cream in the world would fail in front of me, as if to say, “Oh, I’m powerless against your unique and proud oil!“
However, once I recognized my Damp Heat constitution and began to regulate it, I found that my skin transformed into the enviable normal skin that I was meant to have! Now, my skin feels smooth and moist, neither dry nor oily, and I love the feeling of touching my skin!
If you are a woman with oily skin, prone to acne, strong body odor, and accompanied by inflammation and constipation, consider whether you have a Damp Heat constitution. Regulating this constitution can elevate your appearance significantly.
So, why do you develop a Damp Heat constitution?
1. One reason is congenital.
It’s irresponsible to say this, but congenital constitution is something that cannot be changed. If that’s the case, you can only rely on postnatal care.
2. Living in a humid and hot environment.
Regions like Guangdong and Fujian are particularly notable. I don’t mean to criticize anyone, but if you observe women from these areas, their skin is generally not very good, with more acne and oily complexions. They are often very attentive to skincare and hygiene, but the humid and hot climate easily breeds Damp Heat. Thus, without addressing the root cause, no amount of nourishing soup will solve the problem.
3. Excessive drinking.
At drinking events, there are two things that are indispensable: greasy food and various types of alcohol. These two things can easily lead to Damp Heat. Eating too much greasy food can overwhelm the digestive system, generating Dampness, while alcohol is warming and can generate heat. Regularly attending drinking events can easily lead to a Damp Heat constitution.
4. Poor lifestyle habits.
Staying up late, binge eating, and irregular eating habits can disrupt liver and gallbladder metabolism, damaging the Spleen and Stomach, leading to Damp Heat.
How to regulate your Damp Heat constitution and improve your appearance?
1. Develop good lifestyle habits.
Avoid smoking and limit alcohol consumption, and reduce sugary foods.
2. Eat less and eliminate more. Avoid excessive nourishment.
We often eat too much and eliminate too little. The body only needs a certain amount of nutrients, but you keep adding more to satisfy your cravings, leading to the generation of Damp Heat.
Also, do not overdo nourishing foods.
For example, if you think Ejiao (Donkey-hide Gel) is delicious, eating ten pieces a day is excessive. Your body only needs two pieces, and eating too much can lead to chronic skin issues.
These nourishing foods are best in moderation; the body can absorb them quickly, reflecting positively on your skin, but treating them like snacks is not advisable!
I recall a childhood incident where my mother planted a grape tree on the balcony. I wanted to take care of it, so I used the best fertilizer. However, a week later, the once healthy grape tree died! It turned out I had over-fertilized it, causing it to rot.
This is similar to how women nourish their bodies: a little nourishment is a bonus, but too much can lead to disaster.
3. The most effective method for Damp Heat constitution is cupping.
When cupping is mentioned, some women might gasp, recalling the scene below.
Even though I know cupping is beneficial, I still feel a bit scared seeing fire in the cups, and doing it myself seems too complicated.
Fortunately, there’s Taobao, where you can find vacuum cupping devices that work by removing air from the cups, making them safe and easy to use.
You can cup anywhere, anytime.
The suction effect of cupping can quickly draw out Dampness and Heat from the body, stimulating the corresponding acupoints to promote the flow of Qi and blood, facilitating the expulsion of Damp Heat.
There are hundreds of acupoints in the body; which ones are best for cupping? I recommend cupping on several Shu points along the Bladder Meridian.
Shu means exit, and on the Bladder Meridian, it refers to the exit for detoxifying the internal organs. Cupping at these points can expel Dampness and toxins from the organs, improving your Damp Heat constitution.
I am from Hubei, where the humidity is high. I love spicy food and have a big appetite. In my youth, I thought that eating a lot of crayfish and drinking beer was the way to enjoy life. I had a lot of Damp Heat.
I would cup at points like Fei Shu (Lung Shu), Gan Shu (Liver Shu), Dan Shu (Gallbladder Shu), Pi Shu (Spleen Shu), San Jiao Shu (Triple Burner Shu), and Da Chang Shu (Large Intestine Shu) along the Bladder Meridian, usually for about half an hour.
After removing the cups, I would see dark purple marks and several large red blisters. I would use a sterilized needle to prick the blisters, and sometimes I could extract large clots of blood. While it looks scary to others, those who undergo cupping find it very comfortable and refreshing.
Since I started cupping regularly, I noticed something amazing: my hair, which used to get oily easily, could now go three days without washing and still look fine!
In fact, cupping improves the Damp Heat constitution, thereby reducing oiliness in the skin and scalp. The refreshing feeling on my scalp is truly addictive.
If you are sure you have a Damp Heat constitution and are bold enough, I strongly recommend cupping. You can do it at home, once a week for two months, and see if your facial oiliness and body acne improve.
Last time, a reader asked me to recommend Chinese patent medicines for treating Damp Heat. The choice of medicine depends on the location of the Damp Heat, which is a more complex topic that we can’t cover today. Let’s discuss it next time. Remember to keep following, as I aim to share insights on women’s health every day.
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