Medical Guidance: Professor Wu Huanlin, inheritor of the academic experience of Master TCM Physician Deng Tie Tao, and Director of the Cardiovascular Department at Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine
Article by/Guangzhou Daily reporters Ren Shanshan, He Xuehua, Li Heng, Li Jin Correspondent Song Liping
Images by/Guangzhou Daily reporter Qiao Junwei
“Eating three hundred lychees a day, I would not hesitate to be a Lingnan person.” This famous quote by Su Dongpo not only made lychee famous but also the “Lingnan people.” Each region has its unique physical characteristics, and among Lingnan people, there is a notable prevalence of phlegm-damp constitution.
Professor Wu Huanlin points out that the phlegm-damp constitution poses many health risks, with common diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, and coronary heart disease prevalent among Lingnan people, leading to the saying that “all diseases are caused by phlegm.” How to “subdue” phlegm-damp and nourish the constitution? Renowned TCM practitioners have valuable insights.
Traditional Chinese Medicine categorizes human constitution into9types. Among Lingnan people, the proportions of Qi deficiency and phlegm-damp constitution exceed seventy percent!
Professor Wu Huanlin cites a research project that conducted TCM constitution identification on6525individuals in Guangzhou. The results showed that the most common types were: Qi deficiency constitution(2635cases)and phlegm-damp constitution(2029cases), accounting for40.38%and31.10%, respectively.
What causes the phlegm-damp constitution among Lingnan people?
Professor Wu Huanlin explains that the Lingnan region is bordered by the ocean to the south and the Wuling Mountains to the north, resulting in a climate that is hot and humid. This is a typical example of how the local environment shapes the physical characteristics of its inhabitants, including a tendency to sweat profusely, enjoy swimming, and prefer consuming cold foods, seafood, and other damp-inducing or greasy items. These factors contribute to the prevalence of phlegm-damp among Lingnan people.
TCM believes that congenital endowment, environmental influences, and organ dysfunction are all factors in the formation of constitution. Living in Lingnan, genetic factors are naturally the primary cause of the phlegm-damp constitution among local residents. Additionally, sedentary lifestyles, overeating, a preference for rich and greasy foods, excessive consumption of cold drinks, exposure to damp environments, irregular sleep patterns, and late nights are all environmental influences. Furthermore, the lungs are considered the storage organ for phlegm, the spleen is the source of phlegm production, and the kidneys are the root of phlegm generation. When the lungs fail to disperse and descend, or the spleen loses its ability to transport and transform, or kidney Yang is insufficient, it leads to organ dysfunction and obstruction of fluid metabolism, resulting in the retention of dampness and phlegm.
Testing
Eight Questions to Initially Determine if You Have a “Phlegm-Damp” Constitution
How can you determine if you have a “phlegm-damp” constitution? Professor Wu Huanlin suggests answering the following questions based on your experiences and feelings over the past year:
1.Do you feel chest tightness or abdominal bloating?
2.Do you feel heavy or uncomfortable in your body?
3.Is your abdomen soft and bloated?
4.Is there excessive oil secretion on your forehead?
5.Are your upper eyelids more swollen than others, slightly protruding?
6.Do you have a sticky feeling in your mouth?
7.Do you often have phlegm, especially feeling like there is phlegm stuck in your throat?
8.Is your tongue coating thick and greasy, or do you feel it is thick?
If most of your answers to the above questions are “yes,” you may initially be diagnosed with a phlegm-damp constitution. You can also consult a doctor to determine your constitution type using the TCM constitution classification table.
“In fact, phlegm-damp has its characteristics,” Professor Wu Huanlin explains. Individuals with phlegm-damp constitution tend to be “plump,” generally having a body shape that is overweight, especially with a soft and bloated abdomen. In terms of facial appearance, they may have oily skin, a pale yellowish complexion, and slightly swollen eye circles. Observing the tongue, it may appear enlarged with a white and greasy coating, and they often have a sticky, greasy, or sweet taste in the mouth, along with excessive phlegm. People with phlegm-damp constitution usually feel sweaty and sticky, easily experience chest tightness, fatigue, and have a preference for sweet and greasy foods. Their bowel movements are generally normal or slightly loose, and their urine output is not much or slightly turbid.
Hazards
“All diseases are caused by phlegm”
There is a saying: “All diseases are caused by phlegm,” which is indeed true. The phlegm-damp constitution poses widespread health risks.
Professor Wu Huanlin points out that if phlegm accumulates in the liver, it leads to fatty liver; if it accumulates in the abdominal organs, it results in “beer belly” — central obesity; if it flows downwards, it causes lower limb edema; if it rises to the head, it can lead to frequent dizziness and mental fog; if it accumulates in the heart, it causes chest tightness, shortness of breath, and palpitations; if it mixes with the blood, it raises blood lipids and blood pressure, and can even lead to cervical spondylosis and lower back pain.
Thus, the disease tendencies caused by phlegm-damp include chest obstruction, dizziness, diabetes, stroke, and other diseases. This includes modern medical conditions such as coronary heart disease, hypertension, cerebral infarction, obesity, hyperlipidemia, and diabetes.
Professor Wu Huanlin explains that tangible “phlegm” primarily accumulates in the lungs or stomach, expelled through the mouth and nose as metabolic waste, easily causing cough and vomiting; while intangible “phlegm” gradually accumulates within the body due to abnormal vaporization, flowing unpredictably, becoming foul and corrupt, condensing and accumulating throughout the body, easily causing dizziness, chest obstruction, diabetes, stroke, and other diseases. The pathogenic nature of dampness, under the interaction of internal and external dampness, can easily lead to symptoms of diarrhea, such as modern medical conditions like enteritis.
Phlegm-Damp Constitution Should Engage in Aerobic Exercise
How to Nourish a Phlegm-Damp Constitution? Professor Wu Huanlin suggests paying attention to the following aspects:
First: Environmental and Lifestyle Adjustments
1. Avoid staying in damp environments for long periods, especially during the rainy season, to prevent the invasion of dampness. Regularly check blood sugar, blood lipids, and blood pressure.
2. Those who tend to oversleep should gradually reduce their sleep duration and engage in outdoor activities to promote Yang energy, facilitate Qi flow, and activate bodily functions.
3. Take hot showers and sweat appropriately; wear loose clothing made of breathable natural fibers like cotton, linen, and silk to aid in sweat evaporation and eliminate internal dampness.
4. Pay attention to warmth. “Dampness moves with warmth and solidifies with cold.” Cold weather is not conducive to the transformation of dampness within the body and can harm the spleen and stomach, so avoid exposure to cold.
Second: Physical Exercise
First, maintain a long-term exercise routine, such as walking, jogging, ball games, martial arts, Baduanjin (Eight Pieces of Brocade), and dancing. Swimming, especially in cold water, is not recommended as it can deplete Yang energy and increase dampness. Gradually increase the intensity of activities to strengthen the body.
Secondly, aerobic exercises are particularly suitable for those with phlegm-damp constitution, such as walking, jogging, hiking, cycling, swimming, and Tai Chi. Initially, the duration can be shorter, around 5-10 minutes per session, gradually aiming for over 30 minutes to see effects, ultimately reaching over 60 minutes per session.
Third: Mental Adjustment
Phlegm-damp individuals often feel fatigued and sluggish, so it is beneficial to participate in various activities, listen to light music, and engage in physical activity to invigorate the spirit and strengthen the spleen. Avoid depression and anger to prevent liver Qi stagnation and internal phlegm generation.
Fourth: Dietary Regulation
1. The diet should be light, avoiding rich, greasy, and cold foods.
2. Consume more foods that strengthen the spleen, eliminate dampness, and resolve phlegm, such as adzuki beans, lentils, fava beans, peanuts, loquat leaves, clams, jellyfish, fathead fish, olives, radishes, onions, winter melons, seaweed, water chestnuts, and bamboo shoots.
3. Alcohol should be consumed in moderation, and avoid overeating.
Fifth: Acupoint Regulation
For those with phlegm-damp constitution, phlegm resolution and dampness elimination can be achieved through acupuncture, cupping, or even massage at points such as Fenglong (ST40), Zhongwan (CV12), Yinlingquan (SP9), and Zusanli (ST36). Additionally, regularly alternating pressure on the abdomen can promote the breakdown of abdominal fat.
Expert Recommended Formulas
Dietary Therapy for Phlegm-Damp Constitution
Professor Wu Huanlin points out that Dangshen (Codonopsis pilosula), Bai Bian Dou (Lablab purpureus), Sha Ren (Amomum villosum), Chen Pi (Citrus reticulata), Huai Shan (Chinese yam), Yi Yi Ren (Coix lacryma-jobi), Fu Ling (Poria), Chi Xiao Dou (Adzuki bean), Dong Gua Pi (Winter melon peel), and Bai Jie Zi (White mustard seed) all have certain phlegm-damp resolving properties. Bai Jie Zi and Chen Pi primarily target phlegm-damp in the lungs and upper jiao. Chen Pi combined with Dangshen and Bai Bian Dou can treat phlegm-damp in the middle jiao. Chi Xiao Dou mainly helps eliminate dampness through urination. Additionally, Cang Zhu (Atractylodes lancea), Fu Ling, and Wu Zhua Long (Five-clawed dragon) help regulate the spleen and stomach, addressing the root of phlegm-damp.
Medicinal Dish 1: Red Bean and Job’s Tears Porridge
100 grams of Job’s tears and 50 grams of red beans. Soak the red beans and Job’s tears for 2 hours, then cook them with water to make porridge. This helps to promote urination, reduce swelling, and clear heat and dampness.
Medicinal Dish 2: Deng Lao Jian Xin Formula
15g of red ginseng, 3g of Chen Pi, and 5g of Tian Qi (Notoginseng). When preparing, add a small amount of lean meat and stew. This can tonify Qi, resolve phlegm, and invigorate blood circulation.
Medicinal Dish 3: Er Ya Shen Qu Porridge
10 grams each of fried barley sprouts, fried wheat sprouts, and Shen Qu (fermented wheat). Add 50 grams of rice. When preparing, boil the herbs in water, then add rice to cook porridge, and sweeten with sugar when done. This helps to strengthen the spleen and stomach, resolve phlegm-damp, and regulate blood lipids.
Damp-Resolving Tea Substitute 1:
20-30g of Wuzhi Maotao (Five-fingered peach), 20-30g of Tu Fu Ling (Smilax glabra), and 10-20g of fried Bai Bian Dou. This can strengthen the spleen, benefit Qi, and eliminate dampness.
Damp-Resolving Tea Substitute 2:
15-20g of Fu Ling, 10-15g of Gui Zhi (Cinnamon twig), 15-20g of Bai Zhu (Atractylodes macrocephala), 6-10g of Gan Cao (Licorice), and 10-15g of Hong Zao (Red dates). This can strengthen the spleen, promote dampness transformation, and warm phlegm.
Q&A
Question: My family members all seem to have a phlegm-damp constitution. Which department should we consult for treatment? What dietary considerations are most important for phlegm-damp constitution?
Professor Wu Huanlin: The phlegm-damp constitution is often familial, with obesity being a major manifestation. The diet should avoid rich and greasy foods, and regularly use Chen Pi and Sha Ren to promote spleen and stomach function. Additionally, avoid excessive consumption of cold foods, and seafood should be eaten in moderation. Avoid large amounts of cold fruits and vegetables, such as watermelon, pears, and bananas. Regular exercise is essential as it helps to “generate fire,” which reduces phlegm. If treatment is needed, you can visit the Preventive Health Center at Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine.
