Damp-Heat Constitution
1. Definition
A constitution type characterized primarily by the internal accumulation of damp-heat.
2. Characteristics of the Constitution
（1）Physical Characteristics: The body tends to be overweight, generally characterized by substantial flesh, with both muscle and fat present.
（2）Common Manifestations:
Main Symptoms: The face is often greasy and dull, prone to acne and pimples, the tongue is red with a yellow greasy coating, and there is a tendency for bitter and dry mouth, along with a heavy and fatigued body. Secondary Symptoms: Irritability and lethargy, red and irritated eyes, dry and hard stools or sticky stools, short and red urine, men may experience dampness in the scrotum, women may have yellow, thick, and copious vaginal discharge, and the pulse is often slippery and rapid.
（3）Psychological Characteristics: Individuals with this constitution tend to be irritable and quick-tempered.
（4）Disease Tendencies: Prone to conditions such as sores, canker sores, jaundice, dysuria, night sweats, and cholecystitis.
（5）Adaptability to External Environment: Difficult to adapt to humid environments or high temperatures, especially in the humid-heat climate of late summer and early autumn.
3. Causes: Congenital constitution, prolonged residence in damp areas, preference for rich and fatty foods, or long-term alcohol consumption leading to internal damp-heat accumulation.
4. Constitution Analysis: Damp-heat manifests on the skin, leading to a tendency for obesity, a greasy face, and acne; damp-heat stagnation can cause bitter and dry mouth; internal damp-heat can obstruct yang qi, resulting in heaviness and fatigue; heat can scorch the blood vessels, causing red eyes; if heat predominates over dampness, stools may be dry and hard; if dampness predominates over heat, stools may be sticky; damp-heat descending through the liver meridian can lead to scrotal dampness or excessive vaginal discharge. Short and red urine, a red tongue with a yellow greasy coating, and a slippery and rapid pulse are indicative of internal damp-heat accumulation.
5. Nurturing Methods
（1）Nurturing Principles: Clear heat and transform dampness, disperse and drain.
The key organs affected by damp-heat constitution are the liver and gallbladder, spleen and stomach, and also involve the lungs and large intestine, kidneys and bladder. Heat is a yang pathogen that can consume fluids and scorch essence, thus the sticky and turbid nature of dampness is more pronounced than in phlegm-damp constitution. During nurturing, it is important to provide an outlet for the pathogenic qi. Additionally, one should discern the relative excess of dampness versus heat, balancing cold and warmth, and clearing heat while eliminating dampness. This should align with the physiological functions of the organs, regulating their functions and fully utilizing the body’s innate ability to cleanse and expel pathogens and repair itself.
（2）Key Points for Nurturing
1）Mental Nurturing
Individuals with a damp-heat constitution tend to be extroverted, emotionally volatile, easily angered, and restless. Therefore, it is essential to strengthen moral cultivation and willpower training, fostering good character traits, such as regularly reading classical literature, listening to classical music, and cultivating emotions to calm the mind. One should consciously control oneself, using reason to overcome emotional impulses when faced with provocation.
2）Physical Exercise
Engaging in physical activities regularly is beneficial, with a focus on high-intensity exercises that invigorate yang qi, promote circulation, and provide an outlet for damp-heat pathogens. Interval training, high-intensity workouts, and activities that induce significant sweating, such as ball sports, HIIT, and vigorous yoga, are recommended. Additionally, moderate exercises like jogging, cycling, and qigong can be chosen based on personal preference, while swimming and other activities in damp environments should be minimized.
3）Medicinal Nurturing
Bitter herbs can dry dampness, and cold herbs can clear heat; therefore, bitter-cold formulas are commonly used for nurturing damp-heat constitution. Examples include Huang Lian (Coptis), Huang Qin (Scutellaria), Huang Bai (Phellodendron), Yin Chen Hao (Artemisia), Zhi Zi (Gardenia), Yu Yu Liang (Poria), and Jin Qian Cao (Lysimachia). For irritability and red eyes, Long Dan Cao Pian (Gentiana) is recommended; for fever, fatigue, and sore throat, Gan Lu Xiao Du Dan (Sweet Dew) can be used; for bad breath and swollen gums, Qing Wei San (Clear Stomach Powder) is appropriate; for red and swollen feet and knees or joint pain due to damp-heat, Er Miao Wan (Two Marvels Pill) is indicated; for yellow, thick, foul-smelling vaginal discharge and lower back pain, Yi Huang Tang (One Yellow Decoction) is suitable; for frequent and urgent urination with cloudy red urine, Ba Zheng San (Eight Correcting Powder) is recommended.
4）Dietary Nurturing
The diet should be primarily light. Among grains, choose foods like Yi Yi Ren (Job’s tears), Chi Xiao Dou (Adzuki beans), Lu Dou (Mung beans), and Ku Qiao (Bitter buckwheat) that clear heat and eliminate dampness. Consume plenty of vegetables and fungi, such as Kong Xin Cai (Water spinach), Xian Cai (Amaranth), Qing Cai (Celery), Dong Gua (Winter melon), Si Gua (Luffa), Ku Gua (Bitter melon), Huang Gua (Cucumber), and Konjac. Limit the intake of sweet and cold fruits that generate dampness and fatty, oily foods. Animal products like lamb, seafood, and milk should be consumed in moderation; spicy, fried, and barbecued foods that promote dampness and heat should be minimized. Alcohol can easily generate damp-heat, so it is advisable to limit or avoid alcohol consumption. For daily soups and beverages, options like Ku Ding Cha (Bitter tea) and Guangdong Liang Cha (Guangdong herbal tea) are recommended. Many wild vegetables have the effect of clearing heat and eliminating dampness, such as Xiao Ji (Common burdock) and Da Ji (Great burdock), which can help clear heat and promote urination, especially suitable for those with bladder damp-heat.
6. Medicinal Dietary Formulas
（1）Yin Chen Li Dan Tea
Yin Chen (Artemisia) 1g, Zhi Zi (Gardenia) 1g, Si Gua Luo (Luffa) 1g, Jue Ming Zi (Cassia) 2g, Ku Qiao (Bitter buckwheat) 5g
Boil in water and drink as tea.
（2）Xian Yi Green Bean and Pork Rib Soup
Xian Yi Liang (Poria) 10g, Lu Dou (Green beans) 100g, Zhu Pai Gu (Pork ribs) 500g
The soup also includes Yi Yi Ren (Job’s tears) for its heat-clearing and dampness-eliminating properties.
Consume with meat and bean soup.
（3）Clam Meat and Winter Melon Stew (or Soup)
Clam meat (can also use other shellfish like clams, scallops, or oysters) cooked with winter melon. Clears heat and eliminates dampness.
（4）Summer Mulberry and Chrysanthemum Tea
Summer Kuding (Kuding tea), Sang Ye (Mulberry leaves), and Ye Ju Hua (Wild chrysanthemum) each 5g, boiled in water for drinking, can also be used externally for eye washes. Clears liver fire. Used for red and swollen eyes.
Summer Kuding is an important component of Guangdong Liang Cha.
Generally speaking, damp-heat is difficult to eliminate; dietary therapy combined with lifestyle management is crucial. Only with a good lifestyle can the source of damp-heat be eliminated, with dietary habits being key.
Reduce beer consumption, limit hot pot meals, avoid staying up late, minimize anxiety and depression, and drink warm water regularly. These are fundamental measures, complemented by dietary therapy, to eradicate the root of damp-heat.