Dampness is actually a concept in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). When there is excessive dampness in the body, toxins cannot be metabolized in time, leading to fat accumulation and increased burden on the digestive system. However, there is no need to worry; dampness can be eliminated by improving diet. Here are some recommended methods to dispel dampness.
1. Red Date, Job’s Tears, and Goji Berry Tea
Red dates (Hong Zao) are known for their ability to nourish blood and qi, and to calm the mind. Job’s tears (Yi Yi Ren) can eliminate edema and strengthen the spleen to dispel dampness. This tea can promote blood circulation, enhance immunity, and strengthen the spleen, nourish the lungs, and clear heat while dispelling dampness, making it suitable for those with weak spleen and stomach. It also enhances gastrointestinal motility, promoting digestion and absorption, which is very suitable for those with heavy internal dampness.
Ingredients: 2 red dates, 200 grams of job’s tears, a handful of goji berries, 2 slices of ginger.
Preparation: Wash the job’s tears and sun-dry them. After drying, dry-fry them in a pan until fragrant. Next, cut the red dates and add them with ginger to a pot of water to boil. After 2 minutes, add the goji berries and job’s tears. If you like sweetness, you can add some sugar or honey. Once boiling, turn off the heat, cover the pot, and let it steep for 8 minutes.
2. Red Bean Water
Everyone knows that red beans (Hong Dou) can nourish qi and blood, but they can also dispel dampness. According to TCM theory, red beans are neutral in nature and have a sweet and sour taste, which helps clear heat, eliminate dampness, reduce swelling, and detoxify. Red beans can also be cooked with black beans and mung beans for better dampness elimination.
Ingredients: 100 grams of red beans, 100 grams of mung beans, 1 tablespoon of honey.
Preparation: Wash the red beans and mung beans, soak them in water for 20 minutes, then boil them in a pot. Once boiling, cover the pot and let it steep for 5 minutes.
3. Lotus Leaf Tea
The fragrance of lotus leaves (He Ye) can promote food digestion and help eliminate internal dampness and clear heat. Lotus leaf tea is also suitable for those who want to maintain their figure; drinking a cup daily can help expel internal dampness and simultaneously remove body fat.
Ingredients: Half a lotus leaf, 2 pieces of rock candy.
Preparation: Dry the lotus leaf, then boil it in water for 20 minutes, adding some rock candy.
4. Winter Melon and Crucian Carp Soup
Winter melon (Dong Gua) has the effects of clearing heat, reducing fat, eliminating dampness, and reducing edema. Winter melon and crucian carp (Jian Yu) soup can nourish the spleen and qi, promote urination, and effectively eliminate internal dampness, especially suitable for those with spleen deficiency.
Ingredients: 1 fresh crucian carp, 100 grams of winter melon.
Preparation: Clean the crucian carp and winter melon. Peel the winter melon and cut it into pieces. Slice the ginger and cut the green onion into sections. Heat oil in a pot and fry the crucian carp on both sides until light yellow. Then add enough water, along with ginger and green onion. Boil on high heat for 10 minutes, then add the winter melon and continue to cook for another 10 minutes before adding seasonings.
5. Poria and Dried Tangerine Peel Tea
Poria (Fu Ling) has a sweet and mild flavor and is an excellent ingredient for dispelling dampness. Dried tangerine peel (Chen Pi) can resolve phlegm, stop cough, open up the cardiovascular system, and lower blood pressure. A drink made from poria and dried tangerine peel can strengthen the spleen, eliminate dampness, detoxify, and reduce fat.
Ingredients: 5 grams of poria, 2 grams of dried tangerine peel.
Preparation: Wash the poria and dried tangerine peel. Cut the dried tangerine peel into small pieces and boil them together with poria in boiling water for 2 minutes. For those who find boiling cumbersome, you can also pour boiling water into a thermos with poria and dried tangerine peel and let it steep for 5 minutes before drinking.
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