Individuals with a phlegm-damp constitution often have a protruding abdomen, and this condition is becoming increasingly common, making treatment quite challenging.
General Characteristics
The accumulation of phlegm-damp manifests primarily as obesity, a distended abdomen, and a greasy tongue coating.
Physical Characteristics
Obesity with a soft and distended abdomen.
Diagnostic Manifestations
Oily skin on the face, excessive sweating, dizziness, chest tightness, phlegm accumulation, a greasy or sweet taste in the mouth, a preference for fatty and sweet foods, athlete’s foot, and leukorrhea. The tongue coating is greasy, and the pulse is slippery.
Care and Maintenance Methods
For individuals with this constitution, medication may take a long time to be effective, making it difficult to eliminate.
Dietary habits must be strictly observed; fatty meats, beer, and cold drinks are strictly prohibited without exception.
Job’s tears (Yi Yi Ren), winter melon (Dong Gua), white lentils (Bai Bian Dou), and red beans (Hong Xiao Dou) all have the effect of strengthening the spleen and eliminating dampness, and can be added to porridge. However, these damp-dispelling foods should be avoided by pregnant women.
Tofu, beef, ginger (Sheng Jiang), papaya (Mu Guo), white radish (Bai Luo Bo), seaweed (Zi Cai), onion (Yang Cong), ginkgo (Bai Guo), yam (Shan Yao), kelp (Hai Dai), bitter melon (Ku Gua), and cucumber (Huang Gua) can be consumed more frequently.
Increase physical activity, avoid staying in bed, and engage in outdoor activities. It is not advisable to live or work in damp environments.
Formulas such as Shen Ling Bai Zhu Wan, Huo Xiang Zheng Qi Shui, Xiang Sha Liu Jun Wan, and Xiang Sha Ping Wei Wan can be used to strengthen the spleen and eliminate dampness.
Feng Long Point
Located on the outer side of the lower leg, 8 cun above the tip of the outer ankle, outside the Yangxi point, 2 fingerbreadths from the anterior border of the tibia. It can treat headaches, dizziness, etc., and is a key point for transforming dampness and eliminating phlegm. Press for 1 to 3 minutes daily.
Zu San Li Point
Patting the Zu San Li point can help eliminate dampness. Pat each side 300 times in the morning and evening.
Yin Ling Quan Point
Located on the inner side of the lower leg, in the depression below the medial condyle of the tibia, below the knee, in the popliteal fossa. It is the meeting point of the spleen meridian and can strengthen the spleen and eliminate dampness.
Daily finger pressure or patting here is recommended, duration is flexible, whenever free, for 3 to 5 minutes each time.
Cheng Shan Point
Located in the center of the back of the lower leg, between Wei Zhong and Kun Lun, when the leg is straightened or the heel is raised, a triangular depression appears in the gastrocnemius muscle. Cheng Shan point is the most effective point for eliminating dampness from the body, and some say its effect is similar to that of red bean and Job’s tears porridge.
Stimulating Cheng Shan point can invigorate the Yang energy of the bladder meridian and expel dampness from the body.
Recommended reading from the People’s Health Publishing House:
Published by the People’s Health Publishing House: “The Secrets of Observation, Listening, Inquiry, and Palpation”
Authors: Lai Yao Shui, Lai Yao Liang
Click to read the original text and purchase this book!