Lung nodules, thyroid nodules, breast nodules… Nodules are increasingly common in daily life, including fibroids and cysts. Those who tend to develop these “lumps” often share a common constitutional characteristic—Phlegm-Damp.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) believes that this “phlegm” is not only the tangible phlegm seen in coughs and sputum but also the intangible phlegm that exists in tissues and organs, flowing throughout the body with qi and blood, posing even greater harm.
Individuals with Phlegm-Damp Constitution are prone to developing “nodules”
The so-called Phlegm-Damp constitution refers to a state where water and dampness accumulate in the body, coalescing into phlegm. This phlegm can wander along the patient’s meridians, gathering in certain organs, and as it accumulates, it forms various types of nodules and polyps.
Phlegm
Dampness
Constitution
Phlegm-Damp accumulation in the Liver can lead to Fatty Liver.
If it stagnates in the waist, the abdomen may become soft and fatty.
When it overflows into the skin, muscles, face, and limbs, it can also cause swelling and bloating.
Thus, individuals with severe Phlegm-Damp often appear overweight.
Additionally, the wandering of phlegm-damp can easily lead to irregular menstruation, increased vaginal discharge, lower back pain, headaches, and cervical spondylosis.
If such conditions persist for a long time, it is advisable to seek timely treatment at a hospital.
Phlegm-Damp Constitution generally has two characteristics
This constitution is formed not only due to genetic factors but mostly due to acquired conditions.
Individuals with this constitution typically exhibit two characteristics:
First, they prefer high-fat and high-sugar diets, such as fatty meats, cream, and chocolate.
Second, they have irregular eating habits, often due to busy work schedules or other reasons, leading to missed meals and compensating with binge eating, ultimately disrupting the spleen and stomach.
Dietary Regulation for Phlegm-Damp Constitution
In addition to avoiding raw, cold, and greasy foods and ensuring regular meals, the following methods can help improve the condition:
1. Job’s Tears (Yi Yi Ren)
Job’s Tears are slightly cold but do not harm the stomach, benefiting the spleen without being greasy, making them suitable for daily consumption by those with Phlegm-Damp constitution. Raw Job’s Tears are more effective for clearing heat and eliminating dampness, while roasted Job’s Tears are better for strengthening the spleen; choose based on specific conditions.
2. Red Beans (Chi Xiao Dou)
Red beans have laxative, diuretic, and anti-edema effects, and they are beneficial for heart disease, suitable for patients with Phlegm-Damp obesity and concurrent heart conditions.
3. Lotus Leaf (He Ye)
According to the Compendium of Materia Medica, “Lotus leaf raises yang qi and reduces fat, aiding in weight loss,” making it suitable for those with Phlegm-Damp constitution and a tendency towards high blood lipids.
4. White Radish (Bai Luo Bo)
White radish has three major effects: regulating qi, strengthening the spleen, and aiding weight loss. If one often experiences poor spleen and stomach function, bloating, and constipation, white radish can be consumed.
5. Winter Melon (Dong Gua)
Ancient texts such as the Shen Nong’s Herbal Classic record that winter melon not only has anti-aging properties but also aids in weight loss, making it suitable for those with Phlegm-Damp constitution who experience eyelid swelling and obesity.
6. White Hyacinth Bean Flower and Dried Tangerine Peel Tea
This herbal tea is very effective for eliminating dampness and phlegm. Grind white hyacinth bean flowers, dried tangerine peel, and poria into powder, take about 10 grams daily, brew in boiling water, steep for 5 minutes, and drink as tea.
White hyacinth bean flower is one of the few excellent spleen-strengthening herbs. Dried tangerine peel helps regulate qi, strengthen the spleen, dry dampness, and transform phlegm. Poria is a good herb for strengthening the spleen and nourishing the stomach.
Note:Those with qi deficiency, dry cough, or yin deficiency should not consume too much. Patients taking other medications should consult a doctor before consumption to avoid interactions affecting the efficacy of the medication.
7. Dandelion Tea (Pu Gong Ying Cha)
Dandelion has heat-clearing and detoxifying effects. If nodules or polyps have persisted for a long time, drinking some dandelion tea can be beneficial. However, it is not suitable for those with poor gastrointestinal function or spleen deficiency.
8. Green Plum Blossom Tea (Lu E Mei Cha)
Use 2.5 grams of white plum blossom (green plum blossom) and 2.5 grams of rose petals to steep in water. White plum blossom (green plum blossom) has the effect of soothing the liver and transforming phlegm, while rose petals promote qi and invigorate blood circulation, which can be helpful for thyroid nodules and even breast nodules.
Note: Herbal teas cannot fundamentally solve the problem and do not have therapeutic effects; they can only serve as an auxiliary measure. Treatment for nodules should still follow medical advice.
Acupressure to Regulate Phlegm-Damp Constitution
1. Massage Fenglong Point (ST40)
Regularly stimulating Fenglong point can help eliminate dampness and phlegm.
Method: Sit upright, bend your knees,let your feet hang down, the midpoint of the line connecting the outer knee eye to the outer ankle tip is Fenglong point. Massage twice daily, once in the morning and once in the evening, for 5 minutes each time, until a sense of soreness and fullness is felt, which is tolerable. Since this point has relatively thick muscles, use the pads of the index, middle, and ring fingers to press the point, applying pressure with the middle finger, first pressing and then kneading, pressing vertically down to a certain depth before using a kneading technique, with pressure increasing from light to heavy, steady and continuous.
2. Massage Zusanli Point (ST36)
This can regulate the spleen and stomach, tonify qi; it can strengthen and regularize gastrointestinal peristalsis, enhance the activity of various digestive enzymes, increase appetite, and aid digestion.
Method: Press both sides of Zusanli point once daily with the thumb or index finger, pressing for 5-10 minutes per point, at a rate of 15-20 presses per minute, until a sense of soreness and warmth is felt.
To Prevent Nodules, Pay Attention to the Following Points
Maintain a Positive Mindset
Cultivate optimistic and positive emotions, avoiding anxiety, depression, and other negative feelings.
TCM believes that excessive emotions such as joy, anger, worry, thought, sadness, fear, and shock can damage corresponding organs. Prolonged anxiety and depression mainly harm the liver, leading to liver qi stagnation, and dysfunction of the liver’s regulating function is one of the important factors in forming a nodule constitution.
Regular Sleep Schedule
Develop a habit of going to bed early and rising early, in accordance with the natural circadian rhythm.
TCM holds that the circulation of qi and blood in the body corresponds with the natural day-night changes. In the morning, when yang qi is abundant, waking early helps promote the rise of yang qi and enhances metabolism. At night, when yin qi is strong, going to bed early allows the body to rest adequately, nourishing yin qi and maintaining the balance of yin and yang, which is very important for preventing and improving nodule constitution.
Moderate Exercise
Engage in moderate physical exercise, such as walking, jogging, or practicing Tai Chi. For example, during jogging, the heart rate increases, enhancing the pumping function, allowing oxygen and nutrients to be delivered more quickly to various parts of the body, while also accelerating the elimination of metabolic waste.
Exercise can also enhance the body’s immune system. When the immune system is strong, it can promptly identify and eliminate abnormal cells and pathogens in the body, reducing the occurrence of nodules and other lesions.