Before discussing Damp-Heat, it is essential to understand the concept of damp-heat.
Damp-Heat is a pathogenic factor, classified among the six excesses: wind, cold, summer heat, dampness, dryness, and fire (heat). It is also a TCM syndrome, known as Damp-Heat Syndrome, which refers to the accumulation of damp-heat within the body, obstructing the functioning of the organs and meridians, leading to pathological changes associated with systemic damp-heat symptoms.
The term damp refers to what is commonly known as moisture, which can be categorized into external dampness and internal dampness. External dampness is an external pathogen, termed damp evil, often caused by humid climates, exposure to rain, or living in damp environments, leading to the invasion of external moisture into the body. Its pathogenic characteristics include heaviness, stickiness, and a tendency to descend. Internal dampness is a pathological product related to dysfunction of the organs.
Heat is also a type of evil qi, characterized by its inflammatory and ascending nature, referred to as fire-heat evil. Heat can also arise from dysfunction of the body’s organs, termed internal heat. When fire-heat evil invades the body or internal heat arises from organ dysfunction, it can lead to heat syndrome, which is characterized by the invasion of external pathogens or hyperactivity of bodily functions, resulting in a condition of excess yang and deficiency of yin. Clinical manifestations of heat syndrome include fever, thirst with a preference for cold drinks, flushed face and red eyes, short and red urine, dry and constipated stools, a red tongue with a yellow dry coating, and a rapid pulse.
Damp-Heat refers to the simultaneous invasion of the body by both heat and dampness, or the pathological changes resulting from their concurrent presence within the body. This can occur during the hot and humid summer and autumn seasons, where dampness and heat combine to invade the body, or it can result from prolonged retention of dampness transforming into heat. Common clinical manifestations of Damp-Heat Syndrome include fever, a sensation of heat without relief, heavy and painful head and body, bitter taste in the mouth, chest fullness, yellow and scanty urine, a red tongue with a yellow greasy coating, and a slippery and rapid pulse. When damp-heat affects the joints, it is termed Damp-Heat Bi Syndrome. When it invades the organs, it can manifest as Spleen-Stomach Damp-Heat (damp-heat accumulating in the spleen), Liver-Gallbladder Damp-Heat, Bladder Damp-Heat, or Intestinal Damp-Heat syndromes.
Lower Jiao Damp-Heat
Lower Jiao Damp-Heat is a TCM syndrome name. It refers to the invasion of damp-heat affecting the lower jiao, such as the large intestine or bladder, characterized by symptoms such as burning pain or difficulty in urination, foul-smelling loose stools or constipation, lower abdominal distension and pain, or yellowish-white and foul-smelling vaginal discharge, along with body heat, thirst, heaviness and fatigue, a red tongue with a yellow greasy coating, and a slippery or rapid pulse. This syndrome is commonly seen in conditions such as damp-heat dysentery, damp-heat diarrhea, urinary tract infections, urinary retention, vaginal itching, leukorrhea, joint swelling and pain in the lower limbs, and damp foot infections. (Diseases of the lower jiao are attributed to damp-heat. Clear.) The main treatment principle is to clear heat and drain dampness.
There are three simple subtypes:
1. Large Intestine Damp-Heat
Etiology
This is often caused by irregular diet, excessive consumption of rich and greasy foods, or invasion of damp-heat and epidemic toxins into the intestines during the summer months, resulting in a syndrome of excess evil located in the large intestine. The accumulation of damp-heat toxins in the large intestine leads to obstruction of qi flow in the lower jiao, causing dysfunction in the transmission of qi and blood. When stagnant heat obstructs the intestines, it can result in symptoms such as vomiting, abdominal pain, dysentery, diarrhea, and hemorrhoids.
Clinical Manifestations
Abdominal pain, urgency with a feeling of heaviness, diarrhea with mucus or bloody stools; or sudden and profuse diarrhea, burning sensation in the anus, or diarrhea that does not relieve, with stools that are yellow-brown and foul-smelling; or abdominal pain that resists pressure, with constipation or loose stools that do not relieve. Accompanied by fever, sweating, afternoon heat, fullness and oppression in the chest, heaviness in the limbs, poor appetite, nausea, short and red urine, a slippery and rapid pulse, and a yellow greasy tongue coating.
Diagnosis and Treatment
Syndrome: body heat, foul-smelling diarrhea, chest and abdomen heat and discomfort, dry mouth and thirst, shortness of breath with sweating, red tongue with yellow coating, rapid or hurried pulse. Treatment principle: clear large intestine damp-heat and detoxify. Main formula: Ge Gen Qin Lian Tang (Ge Gen, Huang Qin, Huang Lian, Gan Cao, Yin Hua, Fu Ling, Mu Tong, Che Qian Zi).
2. Bladder Damp-Heat
Etiology
This is often due to excessive consumption of rich, spicy, and hot foods, or alcohol, leading to the internal generation of damp-heat, or external invasion of damp-heat and turbid evil, which descends to the bladder, causing dysfunction in the bladder’s ability to separate clear from turbid, leading to obstruction and burning of the meridians.
Clinical Manifestations
Frequent and urgent urination, burning and painful urination, yellow and red urine, lower abdominal tightness and pain, redness and swelling at the urethral opening, accompanied by dry mouth and bitter taste, poor appetite, etc. Red tongue, yellow greasy coating, slippery and rapid pulse.
Diagnosis and Treatment
Syndrome: frequent and urgent urination, painful urination, difficulty in urination, cloudy and red urine, severe cases may lead to urinary retention, lower abdominal fullness, dry mouth and throat, yellow greasy tongue coating, slippery and rapid pulse. Treatment principle: clear heat and drain dampness. Main formula: Ba Zheng San (Bian Xu, Zhi Mu, Mu Tong, Che Qian Zi, Hua Shi, Da Huang, Shan Zhi, Gan Cao).
If there is constipation and abdominal distension, increase the use of raw Da Huang, and if necessary, add Zhi Shi to promote bowel movement and drain heat. If damp-heat injures yin, remove Da Huang and add Sheng Di, Zhi Mu, and Bai Mao Gen to nourish yin and clear heat.
3. Uterine Damp-Heat
Etiology
This is often due to damp-heat evil toxins invading the pelvic cavity, leading to stagnation of qi and blood. The cause of this condition is primarily due to the invasion of evil toxins into the uterine vessels, leading to blood stasis and further development of the condition. Due to the strong presence of evil qi, internal heat and stasis can lead to severe abdominal pain, high fever, and chills.
Clinical Manifestations
Intermittent low-grade fever, lower abdominal distension and pain, lower back soreness, yellow and foul-smelling leukorrhea, short and yellow urine, red tongue, yellow greasy coating, slippery and rapid pulse.
Diagnosis and Treatment
Syndrome: headache, red eyes, hypochondriac pain, bitter taste in the mouth, damp-heat leukorrhea, or lower body damp sores, swelling and itching of the genitals, muscle weakness, short and yellow urine, or cloudy urine, yellow greasy tongue coating. Treatment principle: clear heat and transform dampness. Main formula: Er Miao San combined with Long Dan Xie Gan Tang (Er Miao San: Huang Bai, Cang Zhu; Long Dan Xie Gan Tang: Long Dan Cao, Huang Qin, Zhi Zi, Mu Tong, Che Qian Zi, Gan Cao).
In summary, to eliminate dampness, it is essential to promote the smooth flow of the three jiao. The treatment of damp-heat diseases, whether in the upper, middle, or lower jiao, must utilize methods to promote the smooth flow of the three jiao. Depending on the location of the damp obstruction, corresponding herbs should be used to achieve better results. When dampness obstructs the upper jiao, aromatic herbs that transform dampness should be prioritized, along with herbs that open the upper jiao and promote downward drainage. When dampness obstructs the middle jiao, in addition to methods to promote smooth flow, attention should also be given to opening the upper jiao and promoting downward drainage. When dampness obstructs the lower jiao, in addition to using herbs that promote downward drainage, attention should also be given to opening the upper jiao and promoting smooth flow.
Prevention and Health Care
1. Daily Health Care
Lower jiao damp-heat is a type of damp-heat syndrome, and daily health care is similar to that of damp-heat syndrome. Since damp-heat often exists in conjunction with heat, it is important to improve the living environment and dietary habits. Avoid overeating, limit alcohol consumption (as damp-heat is most pronounced with alcohol), and refrain from excessive drinking; the diet should be light, avoiding rich, greasy foods, sweet items, and spicy stimulating foods to maintain good digestive function and prevent internal dampness or external dampness from entering the body, which is key to preventing damp-heat. It is especially important to quit smoking and drinking. Consume more foods that dispel dampness, such as mung beans, winter melon, loofah, red adzuki beans, watermelon, green tea, flower tea, lentils, and coix seeds.
2. Dietary Therapy
(1) Stewed Pigeon Pigeon, Chinese yam, Fu Ling, goji berries, longan, lotus seeds, red dates, coix seeds. Stew for 3 hours. Effects: nourishes the heart, strengthens the spleen, tonifies the kidneys, boosts qi, and dispels dampness.
(2) Fu Ling Snake Stew Earth Fu Ling, water snake, two red dates, one slice of ginger. Method: Cut the water snake into sections, wash clean, and blanch (briefly boil in hot water) for later use. Then peel and slice the Earth Fu Ling. Place all ingredients into a stewing pot and stew on high heat for 3 hours, adding salt to taste before serving.
(3) Carp and Bamboo Shoot Soup One carp, fresh bamboo shoots, watermelon rind, broad beans, ginger, and red dates in appropriate amounts. Peel the bamboo shoots, remove the hard shell, and slice them. Soak in water for 1 day; clean the carp, remove the gills and entrails, and lightly fry until golden. Wash the broad beans, watermelon rind, ginger, and red dates (pitted). Place all ingredients into boiling water, bring to a boil, then simmer for 2 hours, adding salt to taste. Effects: dispels dampness, clears turbidity, strengthens the spleen, and promotes urination. Suitable for heaviness and fatigue, short urination, and hypertension. Bamboo shoots are low in fat, low in sugar, and high in fiber, promoting intestinal peristalsis, aiding digestion, preventing constipation, and having anti-cancer effects.
(4) Mung Bean and Winter Melon Soup 100 grams of mung beans, 500 grams of winter melon (with skin). Soak mung beans in cold water for 2 hours, cut winter melon into pieces, add 2 slices of ginger, and boil with water until soft. Remove ginger and add salt to taste.
(5) Pork Stomach Stew Bai Mao Gen, corn silk, red dates, and pork stomach. Features: dispels dampness and reduces swelling. Method: Clean the pork stomach, cut into pieces, mix with salt and starch, then rinse. First, boil in water for 15 minutes, then rinse in clean water. Remove the pits from the red dates, wash Bai Mao Gen and corn silk, soak briefly in clean water, then place in a clay pot with the pork stomach, adding about 8 bowls of clean water. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 2 hours, adding appropriate salt and a little oil.
(6) Plantago Tea 100 grams of Plantago, add 800 milliliters of water, boil for 15 minutes, strain and drink as tea.