“Rain nourishes the grains, purifying and clarifying,” and once again, it is the Qingming and Grain Rain season. During this time, precipitation increases, and air humidity rises, marking the period of heaviest dampness in spring.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) identifies two types of dampness:
External Dampness: Prolonged rainy weather or living in damp environments can lead to “external dampness”;
Internal Dampness: Improper diet can disrupt the body’s fluid metabolism, leading to the generation of internal dampness.
As the saying goes, “A thousand cold days can be easily dispelled, but dampness is hard to remove; dampness is sticky and turbid, like oil in flour.” Dampness as a pathogenic factor is particularly persistent and difficult to cure.
So how can we determine if we have dampness? And how can we effectively eliminate it?
Self-check for dampness based on symptoms
1. Body swelling, obesity, prone to rebound after weight loss;
2. Oily hair, hair loss;
3. Dry mouth, bitter taste, bad breath;
4. Loose stools or frequent constipation;
5. Facial spots, acne, oily skin;
6. Excess phlegm, cough, throat discomfort;
7. Abnormal vaginal discharge with odor, itching;
8. Oily skin, eczema;
9. Lower back pain, joint pain, chest tightness;
10. Dizziness, lack of energy, extreme fatigue.
Effective Methods to Eliminate DampnessFirst Method: Avoid Damp-Producing Foods
1. Fried and Grilled Foods
These foods are greasy and hard to digest, and excessive consumption can lead to damp-heat, increasing the burden on the spleen and stomach.
2. Spicy Foods
Excessive consumption of spicy foods can generate internal heat, making it more difficult to eliminate dampness when dampness and heat combine.
3. Tropical Fruits
In TCM, sweet flavors can promote dampness. Tropical fruits like lychee and durian are high in sugar, and their warm nature can further generate damp-heat.
4. Cold Drinks and Iced Teas
Excessive consumption of cold foods, such as cold dishes, ice beer, and cold drinks, can damage Yang energy, leading to spleen and stomach deficiency and worsening dampness.
Second Method: Focus on Strengthening the Spleen and Stomach1. Medicinal Diet to Eliminate Dampness
Chen Pi Sheng Jiang Sha Ren Tea
Ingredients: 3g of Sha Ren (Amomum fruit), 3g of Chen Pi (dried tangerine peel), 5g of Sheng Jiang (fresh ginger). Boil Sheng Jiang and Chen Pi in water, then add Sha Ren and simmer for 2-3 minutes. Use the decoction as tea, noting that Sha Ren should not be boiled for too long.
Effect: Warms and transforms cold dampness.
Suitable for: Individuals with cold dampness.
Precautions: Not suitable for those with constipation, bad breath, Yin deficiency, or significant internal heat.
Bai Zhu Chen Pi Pig Stomach Soup
Ingredients: 10g of Chen Pi, 10g of Bai Zhu (Atractylodes), half to one fresh pig stomach, 6g of Sha Ren, 5 slices of Sheng Jiang. Clean the pig stomach and blanch it, then place all ingredients in a soup pot with about 2500ml of water. Bring to a boil, then simmer on low heat for about 1.5 hours. Remove the pig stomach, cut it into pieces, return it to the pot, and simmer for another 30 minutes, then season to taste.
Effect: Strengthens the spleen, dries dampness, and stimulates appetite.
Indications: Bai Zhu tonifies Qi and strengthens the spleen, dries dampness, and promotes urination; Chen Pi regulates Qi and harmonizes the middle, dries dampness, and transforms phlegm; pig stomach is sweet and warm, beneficial for tonifying deficiencies and strengthening the spleen and stomach. Therefore, this soup is excellent for strengthening the spleen and stimulating appetite, especially for those with abdominal distension, poor appetite, and indigestion.
Qian Shi Duck Soup
Ingredients: 100g of Qian Shi (Euryale seed), one old duck. Clean the old duck, place Qian Shi inside the duck’s abdomen, add 2500ml of water, bring to a boil over high heat, then simmer for 2 hours, adding a little salt before serving.
Effect: Nourishes Yin, strengthens the spleen, and eliminates dampness.
Indications: Qian Shi is sweet, astringent, and neutral, with effects of strengthening the spleen, eliminating dampness, and benefiting the kidneys; old duck is warm and sweet, entering the spleen, stomach, lung, and kidney meridians, nourishing Yin and replenishing blood. Therefore, this soup is suitable for those with Yin deficiency and dampness, presenting with dry throat, deficiency heat, irritability, and loose stools with a white greasy tongue coating.
Huai Shan Qian Shi Yi Mi Soup
Ingredients: 20g of Huai Shan (Chinese yam), 15g of Qian Shi, 30g of roasted Yi Mi (Job’s tears), 15g of Huang Qi (Astragalus), 150g of pork ribs. Soak Huai Shan in water. Roast Yi Mi until slightly yellow, clean and chop the pork ribs, and wash Qian Shi and Huang Qi. Place all ingredients in a soup pot and simmer for one and a half hours, then season to taste.
Effect: Strengthens the spleen, benefits Qi, eliminates dampness, and combats fatigue, suitable for those with spleen deficiency and heavy dampness, low energy, and loose stools.
Yi Mi Red Bean Porridge
Red bean and Yi Mi porridge is a widely known remedy for eliminating dampness, but many people find it ineffective after a period of use. This is because Yi Mi is cold in nature, and long-term use can harm the spleen.
Ingredients: Appropriate amounts of Fu Ling (Poria), Shan Yao (Chinese yam), Lian Zi (lotus seed), Yi Mi (Job’s tears, roasted until slightly yellow to change its nature to warm), red beans, Chen Pi, and Sheng Jiang, soaked in water for two hours, then blended into a paste using a soy milk maker or blender.
Effect: Strengthens the spleen, regulates Qi, and warms Yang.
Mian Yin Chen Mu Mian Hua Bo Jiu Fish
Ingredients: 30g of Mian Yin Chen (Eclipta), 20g of Mu Mian Hua (Bombax flower), one crucian carp, 2-3 slices of Sheng Jiang. Clean Mian Yin Chen and Mu Mian Hua; clean the crucian carp after scaling, gutting, and washing, then lightly fry in a pan with a little oil until both sides are golden; place all ingredients in a soup pot with water, bring to a boil over high heat, then simmer for about 1 hour, seasoning with salt to taste.
Effect: Clears heat, eliminates dampness, nourishes the liver, and strengthens the spleen.
Suitable for: Individuals with heavy damp-heat, prone to irritability, and excessive liver fire.
2. TCM Moxibustion at Acupoints to Eliminate Dampness
In addition to dietary remedies, we can also regulate the body through moxibustion and physical therapy, such as moxibustion or regular massage at specific acupoints to eliminate dampness.
1. Feng Long Point
Location: On the outer side of the lower leg, 8 cun above the tip of the outer ankle, 2 fingerbreadths from the anterior border of the tibia.
Massage Method: Use the thumb or index finger to press this point for 3 minutes, then rub the point in a clockwise direction for about 5 minutes.
Effect: Regulates the Qi of the spleen and stomach, eliminates dampness, and transforms phlegm.
2. Zu San Li Point
Location: On the lower leg, 3 cun below the outer knee, 1 fingerbreadth from the anterior border of the tibia.
Massage Method: Press or rub this point in a clockwise direction for 5-8 minutes, with a good effect if there is a feeling of soreness.
Effect: Regulates the spleen and stomach, dispels wind and dampness, tonifies Qi, supports the righteous Qi, and expels pathogenic factors, enhancing the body’s immunity.
3. Zhong Wan Point
Location: In the upper abdomen, on the anterior midline, 4 cun above the navel.
Massage Method: Use the fingertip or palm to apply pressure to this point, rubbing in a clockwise direction for 2-5 minutes.
Effect: Harmonizes the stomach, strengthens the spleen, and promotes urination.
4. Qu Chi Point
Location: When the elbow is fully flexed, located at the outer end of the elbow crease.
Massage Method: Use the thumb pad to press this point for 2-5 minutes, or use four fingers together to tap this point until the local skin turns slightly red.
Effect: Can drain damp-heat from the large intestine, suitable for those with anal burning, yellowish loose stools, or incomplete bowel movements, and can also treat eczema and other skin conditions.
Contributed by: TCM Department
