Damp-heat refers to the pathological changes caused by the simultaneous invasion of heat and dampness in the body, or the coexistence of both within the body. This can occur due to the hot and humid weather in summer and autumn, or due to prolonged retention of dampness leading to transformation into heat.
Each syndrome and its corresponding symptoms have different treatment methods and medications, which should be addressed distinctly in specific medication.
Common Clinical Manifestations of Damp-Heat Syndrome
Fever, body heat without relief, heavy and painful head, heavy body, bitter mouth, chest fullness, yellow and scanty urine, red tongue, yellow and greasy tongue coating, and a slippery and rapid pulse. When damp-heat invades different organs, it can manifest as liver-gallbladder damp-heat, large intestine damp-heat, bladder damp-heat, and spleen-stomach damp-heat syndrome, among others.
1. Liver-Gallbladder Damp-Heat Syndrome
Symptoms: Pain and distension in the hypochondrium, or burning sensation, loss of appetite, abdominal distension, bitter discomfort in the mouth, irregular bowel movements, short and red urine, alternating chills and fever, jaundice, severe upper abdominal pain, or masses in the hypochondrium.
Common Conditions: Acute jaundice hepatitis, cholecystitis, gallstones, stubborn migraines, hypertension, acute conjunctivitis, etc.
Treatment Method: Clear heat and resolve dampness, reduce jaundice.
Commonly Used Medications: Yin Dan Ping Gan Capsules, Xiao Yan Li Dan Tablets, Long Dan Xie Gan Wan, Yin Chen Wu Ling Wan.
Representative Medication Interpretation:
Long Dan Xie Gan Wan consists of Long Dan Cao (Gentian), Huang Qin (Scutellaria), Zhi Zi (Gardenia), Ze Xie (Alisma), Mu Tong (Akebia), Che Qian Zi (Plantago), Dang Gui (Angelica), Sheng Di Huang (Rehmannia), Chai Hu (Bupleurum), and Sheng Gan Cao (Licorice). This formula clears heat from the liver and gallbladder, resolves damp-heat in the lower jiao, and is suitable for conditions of liver-gallbladder excess fire and damp-heat descending. It can be used for stubborn migraines, hypertension, acute conjunctivitis, external ear abscesses, and acute cholecystitis.
2. Bladder Damp-Heat Syndrome
Symptoms: Frequent and urgent urination, burning pain in the urethra, yellow and turbid urine, short and difficult urination, possibly leading to urinary retention, lower abdominal fullness and pain, fever, lumbar pain, or hematuria, or sand and stones in urine.
Common Conditions: Acute pyelonephritis, cystitis, urethritis, prostatitis, urinary tract stones, etc.
Treatment Method: Clear heat and drain fire, promote urination and relieve strangury.
Commonly Used Medications: Ba Zheng Granules, Compound Shi Wei Tablets, San Jin Tablets, Qing Lin Granules, Jin Qian Cao Granules, Bi Xie Fen Qing Wan.
Representative Medication Interpretation:
Ba Zheng Granules consist of Che Qian Zi (Plantago), Qu Mai (Dianthus), Bian Xu (Polygonum), Hua Shi (Talc), Zhi Zi Ren (Gardenia), Zhi Gan Cao (Licorice), Mu Tong (Akebia), Da Huang (Rhubarb), and Deng Xin Cao (Juncus). This formula clears heat and drains fire, promotes urination and relieves strangury. It is used for symptoms caused by bladder damp-heat, such as frequent and urgent urination, difficult urination, turbid and red urine, urinary retention, lower abdominal fullness, dry mouth and throat, etc. It can be used for cystitis, urethritis, acute prostatitis, and urinary tract stones.
3. Large Intestine Damp-Heat Syndrome
Symptoms: Abdominal pain with urgency and heaviness, short and red urine, thirst, etc.
Common Conditions: Bacterial dysentery, amoebic dysentery, allergic colitis, acute enteritis, etc.
Treatment Method: Clear heat and detoxify, harmonize qi and blood.
Commonly Used Medications: Shao Yao Tang, Compound Huang Lian Su Tablets, Ge Gen Qin Lian Tablets, Xiang Lian Hua Zhi Wan.
Representative Medication Interpretation:
Xiang Lian Hua Zhi Wan consists of Huang Lian (Coptis), Mu Xiang (Aucklandia), Huang Qin (Scutellaria), Zhi Shi (Bitter Orange, roasted), Chen Pi (Tangerine Peel), Qing Pi (Green Tangerine Peel, vinegar-fried), Hou Po (Magnolia Bark, ginger-fried), Bing Lang (Areca), Hua Shi (Talc), Bai Shao (White Peony, fried), Dang Gui (Angelica), and Gan Cao (Licorice). This formula clears heat and resolves dampness, promotes blood circulation and removes stagnation. It is used for dysentery caused by large intestine damp-heat, with symptoms of pus and blood in stool, urgency and heaviness, fever, and abdominal pain.
4. Spleen-Stomach Damp-Heat Syndrome
Symptoms: Mainly characterized by fullness and distension in the epigastric area, loss of appetite, aversion to greasy foods, nausea and vomiting, heaviness in the limbs, unsatisfactory bowel movements or constipation, foul-smelling stools, scanty and yellow urine, bitter mouth and dry throat, possibly accompanied by fever, yellowish complexion, and thirst without desire to drink, with a red tongue and yellow greasy coating.
Common Conditions: Chronic superficial gastritis, gastric ulcers, recurrent oral ulcers, etc.
Commonly Used Medications: Xiang Lian Wan, Ping Wei San, Huo Xiang Qing Wei Capsules, Wei Tong Ning Tablets, etc.
Representative Medication Interpretation:
Ping Wei San consists of Cang Zhu (Atractylodes), Hou Po (Magnolia Bark), Chen Pi (Tangerine Peel), Zhi Gan Cao (Licorice), Sheng Jiang (Ginger), and Da Zao (Jujube). This formula dries dampness, strengthens the spleen, promotes qi, and harmonizes the stomach. It is used for symptoms caused by spleen-stomach damp-heat, such as fullness and distension in the epigastric area, loss of appetite, bland taste, nausea and vomiting, belching and acid regurgitation, heaviness in the limbs, etc. It can be used for chronic gastritis, digestive disorders, gastric and duodenal ulcers, etc.
(This article is for professional reference only)
