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Nowadays, many people pay great attention to eliminating dampness, as it not only leads to physical bloating and fatigue but also causes discomfort and poses a series of health risks.

Moreover, if dampness accumulates over a long period without timely and effective clearance, it can lead to a more severe condition known as phlegm-dampness. For instance, some people gain weight just by drinking water, which is primarily related to their phlegm-damp constitution.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), “phlegm” does not merely refer to the mucus produced in the lungs that can be expelled through coughing. TCM defines “phlegm” as pathological products resulting from metabolic disorders of body fluids, characterized by turbidity, stickiness, and thickness, which are considered internal waste accumulation.

For example, obesity is referred to as “phlegm” in TCM. Since this type of “phlegm” is not as easily recognized as the phlegm in the lungs, it is termed “invisible phlegm,” while the phlegm produced in the lungs that can be expelled and seen is called “visible phlegm.” Together, these two concepts form the TCM understanding of “phlegm.”

How is phlegm-dampness formed?

1. Love for cold and sweet foods: Long-term consumption of cold drinks harms the spleen and stomach, primarily damaging the yang of the spleen, leading to impaired fluid metabolism and the formation of phlegm-dampness;

2. Sedentary lifestyle: Movement promotes yang; normal circulation of qi and blood requires activity. Prolonged sitting weakens the yang of the spleen, resulting in phlegm-dampness;

3. Alcohol abuse: Alcohol is considered a rich flavor in medicine, and excessive consumption of rich and sweet foods severely harms the yang of the spleen. Long-term alcohol abuse can weaken the yang of the spleen, leading to abnormal fluid metabolism and phlegm-dampness;

4. Frequent consumption of fatty meats: Regularly eating fatty meats harms the yang of the spleen, eventually leading to a phlegm-damp constitution.

Many people cannot distinguish between damp-heat and damp-cold. Below, we will discuss the two symptoms of dampness:

1. Symptoms of damp-heat

Frequent loose stools, diarrhea, or constipation; thick and greasy tongue coating; fatigue and drowsiness; sensitivity to both cold and heat; dry mouth, bitter taste, and bad breath; excessive phlegm and cough; oily hair and hair loss; edema and drooping eyelids; lower back pain and joint pain; chest tightness; dark circles; dizziness and lack of energy; dampness in the yin area; dampness in the yin pouch; facial blemishes, acne, and oily skin; abnormal vaginal discharge with odor and itching; oily skin with eczema, etc.

2. Symptoms of damp-cold

Pale, bluish, dark, or black complexion; recurrent oral ulcers, coughing up thin white phlegm; clear nasal discharge, cold sweat, frequent sneezing (especially in the morning); prone to abdominal pain and diarrhea; facial acne and blemishes, etc.

What are the symptoms when dampness accumulates severely and evolves into phlegm-dampness?

?1 Tongue appearance: Enlarged tongue with a white greasy or yellow greasy coating (damp-heat), with teeth marks on the edges or red spots on the tongue;

?2 Bowel movements: Frequent, unformed stools that stick to the toilet; frequent urination with large amounts of clear urine, easily waking at night; or dark yellow urine.

?3 Facial diagnosis: Dull yellow complexion, oily skin prone to acne, especially pustular acne, slightly swollen eyelids;

?4 Body type: Overweight or soft and bloated body type, with swollen limbs and a soft, full abdomen.

?5: Sticky and unrefreshing mouth, excessive phlegm; sensation of a foreign body in the throat, needing to cough up phlegm upon waking, easily gagging while brushing teeth.

?6: Dry mouth, bitter taste, bad breath.

?7: Rarely feeling thirsty, not wanting to drink water;

?8: Prone to sweating, strong body odor, skin feels cool after sweating;

?9: Body, especially lower legs, feels heavy and weak, easily fatigued, never feeling rested.

?10: Cold hands and feet, chest tightness, joints easily ache, skin feels numb;

?11: Gastrointestinal discomfort: prone to bloating, stomach pain, diarrhea, constipation, etc.

?12: Prone to tinnitus.

?13: Easily feeling tense, repressed, anxious, or angry.

?14: Frequently experiencing poor sleep (not due to mental stress or emotional disturbances).

Does this look similar to the symptoms of a damp constitution? In fact, phlegm-dampness is formed on the basis of dampness accumulation, with more pronounced and varied symptoms! If you have at least 2 of the above symptoms, it indicates that you have phlegm-dampness in your body. If you have more than 5 symptoms, it suggests that the accumulation of dampness is quite severe. It is not necessary to have all 14 symptoms to be considered a phlegm-damp constitution.

The dangers of a phlegm-damp constitution are significant, so do not take it lightly. People with phlegm-damp constitutions are often prone to high blood sugar, high blood pressure, high blood lipids, or high uric acid. Nodules and tumors are also common in individuals with phlegm-damp constitutions.

The question arises: is there a way to prevent or treat phlegm-dampness effectively? Yes! It is the Wen Dan Tang (Warm Gallbladder Decoction). It can be used for damp-heat, damp-cold, and phlegm-damp conditions.

?What exactly is this formula?

Wen Dan Tang: 30g Fu Ling (Poria), 6g Ban Xia (Pinellia), 6g Zhi Shi (Bitter Orange), 6g Zhi Gan Cao (Honey-Fried Licorice), 6g Chen Pi (Aged Tangerine Peel), 6g Zhu Ru (Bamboo Shavings).

How do these ingredients interact, and what are their respective effects?First tier: Zhi Shi is used to break qi and promote downward movement. We know that military strategy is crucial; to attack a city, a vanguard is needed, and Zhi Shi serves as the vanguard in this formula. To establish balance, the original state of “qi stagnation and phlegm obstruction” must be broken. Zhi Shi breaks qi, starting from the lungs and stomach, opening the gallbladder and stomach qi.Second tier: Ban Xia + Chen Pi. Ban Xia transforms phlegm and eliminates dampness, paired with Chen Pi, which regulates qi and transforms dampness. These two herbs are the main forces in this formula. After Zhi Shi breaks through the city gate, Ban Xia and Chen Pi attack the main force of the enemy, targeting the phlegm-damp in the gallbladder and stomach. Ban Xia also promotes downward movement, aiming to expel the turbid yin through the lower orifices.Third tier: Fu Ling + Zhu Ru. Fu Ling strengthens the spleen and drains dampness, while Zhu Ru transforms phlegm and clears heat. These two herbs serve as the cleanup crew. After Ban Xia and Chen Pi transform the phlegm, it becomes easier to expel the damp turbidity. At this point, Fu Ling and Zhu Ru take over to expel the dampness from the lower orifices.The Huang Di Nei Jing (Yellow Emperor’s Inner Canon) states: turbid yin should be expelled through the lower orifices; phlegm-dampness belongs to turbid yin and must be expelled through the lower orifices.Zhi Shi breaks the first line of defense, exerting downward force; Ban Xia and Chen Pi serve as the main attacking force, also exerting downward force; Fu Ling and Zhu Ru are the cleanup crew, clearing the battlefield.These three forces have different roles but share a unified purpose: to unblock the body’s qi and expel turbid yin such as phlegm-dampness through the lower orifices.The last ingredient, Zhi Gan Cao, also known as the harmonizer, is responsible for harmonizing the actions of these various herbal tiers.In summary: Ban Xia is warm and disperses well, it can regulate qi, relieve stagnation, dry dampness, transform phlegm, and stop vomiting. Zhi Shi and Chen Pi transform dampness and promote qi movement. Zhu Ru moves qi and harmonizes the stomach, clearing excess heat without harming the middle yang. Fu Ling benefits the spleen and calms the mind. Zhi Gan Cao directly supplements the spleen, replenishing the fluids and qi of the spleen and stomach. The entire formula can promote the downward movement of stomach qi, relieve liver and gallbladder stagnation, warm yang, promote qi movement, eliminate dampness, and transform phlegm, thus regulating the entire body’s qi, which is particularly beneficial for sleep.These six herbs are all common and not particularly precious, but when combined, they can produce miraculous effects.Additionally, it is worth noting that Wen Dan Tang is generally used for foot baths. It is not that the decoction cannot be consumed, but the effects are better when used for soaking. This is because individuals with heavy phlegm-dampness often have spleen deficiency and poor absorption. The rich meridians in the soles of the feet allow for better absorption of the medicinal properties, leading to quicker results.?Wen Dan Tang can also regulate: including athlete’s foot, insomnia, dysmenorrhea, eczema, rhinitis, psoriasis, tic disorders, cholecystitis, schizophrenia, stubborn cough, hair loss, and many other conditions have shown good results in clinical practice.In academic literature, the term “Wen Dan Tang” has approximately 28,200 related results.The vast amount of 28,200 related results indicates that Wen Dan Tang is widely used in TCM.Wen Dan Tang is truly a miraculous existence.From clinical practice, it has been found that Wen Dan Tang can treat no less than 100 different conditions, including some peculiar diseases. However, it should not be said that Wen Dan Tang can cure all diseases; rather, many diseases are caused by phlegm-dampness, and Wen Dan Tang is precisely aimed at treating phlegm-dampness. By resolving phlegm-dampness, it also resolves various diseases caused by it.Some may ask why foot baths are recommended instead of drinking the decoction. Because “dampness obstructs the spleen,” individuals with dampness often have spleen deficiency, leading to poor ability to transform and transport fluids in the body. Therefore, for those with spleen deficiency and dampness, the absorption capacity of the spleen and stomach is not as good as that of the meridians in the soles of the feet. Additionally, the ankle area has three yang meridians and three yin meridians, with 66 acupoints. The warm medicinal liquid can directly act on these acupoints, facilitating transdermal absorption. This is similar to the method of applying medicine to the navel. Drinking the decoction is not as effective as soaking the feet. Allowing the medicinal components released from the Wen Dan Tang foot bath to be absorbed through the meridians into the body is a more effective method.Wen Dan Tang can be directly decocted for foot baths, with damp-cold constitution (add dried ginger) and the water level should cover the ankles as a reference. Boil on high heat, then simmer for 30 minutes, strain the decoction, and it is ready for foot baths, ideally twice a day, with water temperature not exceeding 45°C, covering the tops of the feet, and soaking for about 25 minutes. Children can also soak their feet, with the time appropriately shortened.Who else is suitable for Wen Dan Tang?1. People with poor sleep (especially those with liver-gallbladder disharmony and excessive phlegm, particularly noticeable during seasonal changes).2. Individuals with a damp and phlegm-heavy body type (those who appear plump and soft, with a full abdomen, and gain weight easily from drinking water).3. Individuals with a bad temper (Wen Dan Tang clears liver-gallbladder heat. After soaking the feet, massaging the Tai Chong acupoint can enhance the effect).4. Individuals with liver qi stagnation, who often feel low (Wen Dan Tang promotes yang, moves qi, and invigorates blood. Soaking until slightly sweating and maintaining this for a while can gradually improve mood).5. Individuals with oily skin and acne; prone to sweating with body odor, feeling cool after sweating. Those with excess heat above and cold below.6. Individuals with three highs (phlegm-damp individuals have thick, sticky blood, eat well, and move little, making Wen Dan Tang essential for them).7. Lazy individuals who enjoy sweet foods and prefer to lie down after meals.8. Individuals with frequent digestive issues, belching, and sour stomach, or bad breath.9. Individuals with nodules or lipomas.Precautions:1. The water level for foot baths should be suitable for the San Yin Jiao acupoint.2. The water temperature should be within a comfortable range; slightly higher temperatures yield better effects.3. Soaking time should be over 20 minutes. To prevent the water from cooling too quickly, reserve some water to gradually add during the soak to maintain temperature.4. Choose porcelain for decocting the formula; stainless steel or aluminum pots are acceptable, but avoid using iron pots.5. Each batch of herbs can be decocted twice. If conditions allow, two foot baths a day are ideal; otherwise, once a day is sufficient.6. If symptoms such as gas, flatulence, or belching occur after soaking, these are signs of the body expelling illness and are positive reactions.7. How many days is appropriate for soaking? Generally, a course of treatment involves 7 batches of herbs, and foot baths should last at least 10 days, but this also depends on individual feelings. Since the goal is to eliminate phlegm-dampness, during the soaking period, it is advisable to avoid foods that are sticky and produce phlegm and dampness. Cold and raw foods should also be avoided.Precautions for foot bath participants:1. Pregnant women should avoid this formula due to the presence of Zhi Shi, which breaks qi.2. This formula has a downward qi effect, so it is not recommended for individuals with severe qi deficiency. If symptoms of qi deficiency and fatigue occur during soaking, consider taking Shen Mai Yin or Bu Zhong Yi Qi Wan to boost qi.3. Diabetics should be cautious as they may have numbness in their feet and be insensitive to water temperature; however, they can still soak with proper temperature adjustments.4. Children under six years old are not recommended to use this formula for foot baths.

Aside from these groups, others can generally soak their feet. It is permissible during menstruation or when having a cold; a large pot of water can be prepared for the whole family to soak together.

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