Today, I would like to share an ancient formula known as the "First Formula for Eliminating Phlegm and Dampness," which sweeps away all phlegm and dampness from the body, helping you stay away from the three highs (hypertension, hyperglycemia, and hyperlipidemia), obesity, and insomnia. Let's take a closer look!
The common "three highs" refer to high blood sugar, high blood lipids, and high blood pressure. Ultimately, these conditions stem from excessive phlegm and dampness in the body. Some people often suffer from insomnia, tossing and turning at night due to an unsettled mind. Others struggle to lose weight, also due to excessive phlegm and dampness, which leads to fluid retention in the body. If you know how to eliminate phlegm and dampness, many health issues can be resolved.
The formula, Wen Dan Tang (温胆汤), is truly remarkable.
What exactly is Wen Dan Tang?
It's simple: 30 grams of Fu Ling (Poria), 6 grams of Ban Xia (Pinellia), 6 grams of Zhi Shi (Bitter Orange), 6 grams of Zhi Gan Cao (Honey-Fried Licorice), 6 grams of Chen Pi (Aged Tangerine Peel), and 6 grams of Zhu Ru (Bamboo Shavings).
These six herbs are all common and not particularly expensive. However, when combined, they can produce miraculous effects.
Clinical practice has shown that Wen Dan Tang can treat over 100 different conditions. Some unusual ailments can also be treated with Wen Dan Tang. However, it is not accurate to say that Wen Dan Tang can cure all diseases; rather, many ailments are caused by phlegm and dampness, and Wen Dan Tang specifically addresses these issues. By treating phlegm and dampness, it also alleviates various related symptoms.
Traditional Chinese Medicine emphasizes treating symptoms according to their causes. Once the underlying pathology is identified, the treatment direction becomes clear. Individuals with a phlegm-damp constitution can benefit from Wen Dan Tang.
It is important to note that the term "phlegm" here does not refer to the common understanding of phlegm, but rather to the pathological accumulation of body fluids; "dampness" refers to the dysfunction of the digestive system, leading to uncontrolled fluid movement and the accumulation of internal dampness.
In simple terms, phlegm and dampness refer to an excessive accumulation of fluids in the body that cannot be metabolized normally.
Modern lifestyles often contribute to this condition. Many people enjoy cold drinks and ice-cold beer, prefer air conditioning and fans, and tend to stay up late, leading to a phlegm-damp constitution and various health issues.
Traditional Chinese Medicine has summarized many characteristics of a phlegm-damp constitution:
Based on years of practical experience and feedback from numerous individuals who have used Wen Dan Tang, the following characteristics are typical of those who would benefit from this formula:
➤1 Tongue Appearance: A swollen tongue with a white or yellow greasy coating (indicating damp-heat), with tooth marks on the sides or red spots on the tongue;
➤2 Bowel Movements: Frequent, loose stools that stick to the toilet; frequent urination with clear, watery urine, leading to nighttime awakenings; or dark yellow urine;
➤3 Facial Diagnosis: Dull yellow complexion, prone to acne, especially pustular acne, with slightly swollen eyelids;
➤4 Body Type: Soft and plump abdomen, or a generally overweight appearance;
➤5 Oral Condition: Sticky and unpleasant mouth, excessive phlegm;
➤6 Dry Mouth: Dry, bitter mouth, or bad breath;
➤7 Thirst: Rarely feeling thirsty or desiring water;
➤8 Sweating: Easily sweating with a strong odor, skin feels cool after sweating;
➤9 Body Sensation: Especially heavy and weak legs, easily fatigued, feeling tired regardless of sleep;
➤10 Cold Extremities: Cold hands and feet, chest tightness, joint pain, or numbness of the skin;
➤11 Gastrointestinal Discomfort: Prone to bloating, stomach pain, diarrhea, or constipation;
➤12 Tinnitus: Prone to ear ringing;
➤13 Emotional State: Easily tense, depressed, anxious, or irritable;
➤14 Sleep Issues: Frequently experiencing poor sleep (not due to psychological stress or mental stimulation).
If you exhibit two or more of these symptoms, it indicates that your body has excessive dampness or damp-heat that needs to be eliminated. You can use Wen Dan Tang for foot baths to dispel dampness and phlegm or clear damp-heat. If you have five or more symptoms, it suggests a more severe condition of dampness or damp-heat. It is not necessary to have all 14 symptoms to require treatment for dampness and phlegm or damp-heat.
"Phlegm and dampness cause strange diseases"; "Phlegm is the mother of all diseases"; "Dampness is the root of all evils." Many inexplicable ailments are actually caused by phlegm and dampness. Wen Dan Tang can treat phlegm and dampness, so using it for foot baths can address many health issues.
In Dr. Luo Da Lun's book "Tongue Diagnosis," the formula for Wen Dan Tang is disclosed:
Wen Dan Tang: 30 grams of Fu Ling, 6 grams of Ban Xia, 6 grams of Zhi Shi, 6 grams of Zhi Gan Cao, 6 grams of Chen Pi, and 6 grams of Zhu Ru.
The primary function of Wen Dan Tang is to dispel dampness, transform phlegm, and relieve greasiness. The monarch herb in this formula is Fu Ling, which strengthens the spleen and promotes dampness elimination. A healthy spleen leads to phlegm resolution ("the spleen is the source of phlegm"), and promoting dampness leads to its removal.
Dr. Luo Da Lun also introduces the method for using Wen Dan Tang for foot baths: boil the above herbs in water, bring to a boil over high heat, then simmer for 30 minutes. Strain the herbal decoction, dividing it into two portions to be mixed with warm water for foot baths in the morning and evening. The water temperature should not be too hot, just enough to cover the tops of the feet, soaking for about 25 minutes.
Wen Dan Tang is generally used for foot baths. It is not that the formula cannot be ingested, but the effects are better when used for soaking. This is because individuals with a heavy phlegm-damp constitution often have spleen deficiency and poor absorption. The rich meridians in the soles of the feet allow for better absorption of the herbs, leading to quicker results. The herbs for Wen Dan Tang can generally be purchased at herbal shops (it is not recommended to buy online, as the quality of herbs cannot be guaranteed).
►Wen Dan Tang can also help with conditions such as athlete's foot, insomnia, dysmenorrhea, eczema, rhinitis, psoriasis, tic disorders, cholecystitis, schizophrenia, stubborn cough, hair loss, and many other ailments, achieving good results in clinical practice.
1. Symptoms of Phlegm-Dampness:
Body tends to be overweight, limbs swollen, oily skin, dull complexion, greasy tongue coating, cold hands and feet, excessive sleepiness, frequent bowel movements, chest tightness, easy sweating, joint pain, and excessive phlegm.
2. Symptoms of Damp-Heat:
Frequent loose stools, diarrhea, or constipation; thick greasy tongue coating; fatigue and drowsiness; sensitivity to both cold and heat; dry mouth, bitter taste, or bad breath; excessive phlegm and cough; oily hair and hair loss; swelling and drooping under the eyes; lower back and joint pain; chest tightness; dark circles; dizziness and lack of energy; dampness in the genital area; skin issues like acne and oily skin; abnormal vaginal discharge with odor and itching; and oily skin with eczema.
3. Symptoms of Cold-Dampness:
Pale, bluish, dark, or black complexion; recurrent oral ulcers; thin, white phlegm; clear nasal discharge; cold sweat; frequent sneezing (especially in the morning or when exposed to wind); prone to abdominal pain and diarrhea; acne and spots on the face (Wen Dan Tang can be used with ginger for foot baths).
In conclusion, who is most suitable for Wen Dan Tang?
Those with phlegm-dampness, damp-heat, damp-cold, or qi stagnation are all suitable:
1. Individuals with poor sleep (especially those with liver-gallbladder disharmony and excessive phlegm, particularly noticeable during seasonal changes).
2. Individuals with a phlegm-damp constitution (those who appear plump and pale, with a soft and full abdomen, and gain weight easily from drinking water).
3. Individuals with a bad temper (Wen Dan Tang clears liver-gallbladder heat. After soaking, massaging the Tai Chong point on the foot enhances the effect).
4. Individuals with liver qi stagnation, who often feel low (Wen Dan Tang promotes yang, moves qi, and invigorates blood. Soaking until slightly sweating can gradually improve mood and lead to a more cheerful disposition); those who are easily tense, anxious, depressed, irritable, or timid.
5. Individuals with a yellow greasy tongue (a yellow tongue indicates heat, and the thicker the coating, the heavier the dampness); those with a white greasy tongue indicate cold-dampness.
6. Individuals with oily skin and acne; those who sweat easily and have a strong odor, feeling cool after sweating. Those with heat above and cold below.
7. Individuals with the three highs (phlegm-damp individuals have thick, sticky blood; those who eat well but exercise little are particularly in need of this formula). Note: Hypertensive patients are advised to use this under medical guidance.
8. Individuals who are lazy and enjoy sweet foods, often lying down after meals.
9. Individuals with frequent digestive issues, belching, acid reflux, or bad breath due to stomach heat.
10. Individuals with nodules or lipomas.
Precautions:
1. The water level for foot baths should reach the San Yin Jiao point.
2. The water temperature should be within a comfortable range; slightly higher temperatures yield better results.
3. Soaking time should be over 20 minutes. To prevent the water from cooling too quickly, reserve some water to gradually add during the soak to maintain temperature.
4. Use porcelain or stainless steel pots for boiling the herbs; avoid using iron pots.
5. Each batch of herbs can be boiled twice. If possible, soak twice a day; if not, once a day is sufficient.
6. If you experience gas, belching, or other symptoms after soaking, this is a positive sign of the body expelling toxins.
7. How long should you soak? Generally, a course of treatment requires at least 7 batches of herbs, and foot baths should last at least 10 days, but this may vary based on individual feelings. Since the goal is to eliminate phlegm and dampness, it is advisable to avoid sticky, phlegm-producing foods during the soaking period. Cold and raw foods should also be avoided.
Precautions for Foot Bath Users:
1. Pregnant women should avoid this formula due to the presence of Zhi Shi, which breaks qi.
2. This formula has a qi-reducing effect, so it is not recommended for individuals with severe qi deficiency. If you experience symptoms of qi deficiency during the soak, consider taking Sheng Mai San or Bu Zhong Yi Qi Wan to boost qi.
3. Diabetic patients should be cautious due to potential numbness in the feet and should ensure the water temperature is appropriate before soaking.
4. Children under six years old are not recommended to use this formula for foot baths.
Aside from these groups, others can safely use foot baths. It is permissible to soak during menstruation or when experiencing a cold. You can prepare a large pot of water for the whole family to enjoy.
If you identify with a phlegm-damp constitution, consider trying this method for regulation, but always under the guidance of a qualified practitioner.
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