Ancient wisdom states: “A thousand colds can be easily dispelled, but dampness is hard to eliminate.”
Indeed, dampness in the body is difficult to eradicate completely. Dampness acts like a thief, infiltrating everywhere without a trace. When dampness affects the hair, it becomes greasy; when it affects the skin, it leads to eczema; on the face, it manifests as acne; in the nails, it results in onychomycosis; in the private areas, it causes inflammation; in the muscles, it leads to soreness; in the joints, it results in rheumatism; and on the feet, it causes athlete’s foot…
Why is there so much dampness? Superficially, dampness originates from the spleen, as a deficiency in the spleen fails to transform and transport fluids, leading to the production of dampness. Deeper dampness comes from the kidneys, as a deficiency in kidney qi allows dampness to continuously emerge, much like groundwater rising to the surface…
Ultimately, dampness is caused by poor lifestyle habits. For example:
1. Overeating and consuming a mixed diet burdens the spleen and stomach, leading to stagnation and the generation of putrid dampness;
2. Being lazy and sedentary prevents the movement of qi, making it easy for dampness to accumulate;
3. Not sweating for long periods causes pores to close, leading to internal dampness;
4. Liver qi stagnation results in poor qi flow, making it easy for the body to harbor dampness;
5. Prolonged exposure to cold and damp environments allows dampness to invade the body;
6. Excessive indulgence leads to kidney qi deficiency, continuously generating dampness.
In summary, there are many sources of dampness; it is not the dampness itself that is the problem, but rather the excessive dampness that harms the body.
How can we eliminate excess dampness? First, we need to distinguish the type of dampness. There are two types: cold dampness and damp-heat. What is damp-heat? Simply put, it is dampness combined with “heat evil,” much like “oil-splashed noodles,” where the two are intertwined, making it very tricky to resolve.
To eliminate damp-heat from the body, the most effective formula is San Ren Tang.
San Ren Tang: 15g Xing Ren (Apricot Kernel), 18g Hua Shi (Talc), 6g Bai Tong Cao (White Toad Lily), 6g Bai Dou Kou (White Cardamom), 6g Zhu Ye (Bamboo Leaf), 6g Hou Po (Magnolia Bark), 18g Yi Yi Ren (Job’s Tears), 15g Ban Xia (Pinellia).
Let’s take a look at how San Ren Tang eliminates damp-heat. This formula is named San Ren Tang because it contains “Xing Ren,” “Bai Dou Kou,” and “Yi Yi Ren.” However, there is a deeper meaning. To eliminate damp-heat from the body, we must start by “opening the San Jiao” (Three Burners), which is an important pathway for water and dampness. By unblocking the San Jiao, damp-heat has an exit route, which can alleviate the body’s damp-heat.
How do we “open the San Jiao”? The upper jiao is light like feathers, so it needs to be cleared; the middle jiao is stable like a scale, so it needs to be unblocked; the lower jiao is heavy like a balance, so it needs to be facilitated. Clearing the upper jiao, unblocking the middle jiao, and facilitating the lower jiao is the approach of San Ren Tang. Let’s take a closer look:
First tier: Zhu Ye (Bamboo Leaf) + Bai Tong Cao (White Toad Lily) to clear upper jiao damp-heat. These two herbs are very light and target the upper jiao, primarily focusing on “clearing heat and draining dampness,” effectively eliminating damp-heat from the upper jiao.
Second tier: Bai Dou Kou (White Cardamom) + Hou Po (Magnolia Bark) + Ban Xia (Pinellia) to dry dampness and harmonize the middle. These three herbs are neither too light nor too heavy, targeting the middle jiao (spleen and stomach). Bai Dou Kou transforms dampness and moves qi, Hou Po moves qi and dries dampness, and Ban Xia transforms phlegm and dries dampness. These three herbs focus on “drying dampness and harmonizing,” effectively eliminating dampness from the spleen and stomach.
Third tier: Hua Shi (Talc) + Yi Yi Ren (Job’s Tears) + Xing Ren (Apricot Kernel) to clear lower jiao damp-heat. These three herbs are heavy and target the lower jiao, primarily focusing on “facilitating the lower jiao,” allowing damp-heat to be expelled through urination.
Looking back, although this formula is not a classic prescription, its formulation approach is extremely precise, unblocking the pathways of the “upper, middle, and lower” San Jiao. The sources of dampness are hard to guard against, but we can find ways to address the “exit route.” San Ren Tang opens the exit routes of the “San Jiao,” helping the body expel damp-heat.
What symptoms do people with heavy damp-heat in the body exhibit?
Oily face and hair, swollen and red gums, prone to ulcers, bad breath, strong body odor, constipation or dry, hard stools, foul-smelling stools, excessive gas, dark yellow urine with strong odor, irritability, easy anger, blisters on hands and feet, yellow greasy tongue coating, and in men, often dampness in the scrotum; in women, yellow discharge with strong odor, etc.
Those with the above symptoms may consider adjusting with San Ren Tang. Of course, we do not recommend that beginners in TCM use formulas indiscriminately. There are also many dietary therapies that clear heat and drain dampness, such as: Job’s Tears, winter melon, cabbage, kelp, green tea, lotus seeds, and “San Dou Yin” (Three Bean Drink), etc.
Recommended Learning
1. Introduction to Basic TCM
2. Nine Major Constitution Adjustment Plans
3. Popular Interpretation of 100 Chinese Herbs
4. 100 Classic Common Formulas
5. 365 Common Disease Adjustments
As a moderate person, I am neither knowledgeable in astronomy nor geography. This account aims to promote TCM culture and is not a platform for seeking medical advice. The formulas shared here are for learning and exchange purposes only; please do not use them blindly.
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