Scientific Guidance: Lin Jiwei, Center for Preventive Medicine, Shenzhen Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital
This issue brings you
the first atypical constitution
in the Lingnan region
The Damp-Heat Constitution is the most prevalent atypical constitution in southern regions, with medical literature conducting sampling surveys on the population in Guangdong.The proportion of those with Damp-Heat Constitution is 11.92%, significantly higher than the national level of 9.88%.
The formation of the Damp-Heat Constitution is closely related to the humid and rainy environment of the southern regions, as well as the subtropical warm climate. Therefore, the results of epidemiological surveys conducted by relevant institutions show that the prevalence of Damp-Heat Constitution in the Lingnan population is scientifically justified. The famous physician of the Qing Dynasty, Ye Tianshi, elaborated on the pathogenic effects of geographical environmental factors in his medical work “On Exogenous Warm Diseases”: “The dampness of Wu (the region) harms people the most.” The modern global warming has also increased the formation of Damp-Heat Constitution, leading to a rise in its prevalence.
In the autumn and winter seasons, those with Damp-Heat Constitution can still find peace, coexisting quietly with the earth. However, in Guangdong, when summer arrives, it feels like a passionate love affair, a tumultuous relationship. Summer brings heat and humidity, with Damp and Heat evils coming together. Those with Damp-Heat Constitution find that no matter how much soup they brew or how much herbal tea they drink, their bodies remain attached to these conditions.
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Manifestations of Damp-Heat Constitution
Oily face, frequent feelings of heaviness and fatigue in the body, bitter mouth or a persistent unusual taste, stools that are generally sticky and difficult to pass, often sticking to the toilet and hard to flush clean.
Urine is often yellow. Males may experience scrotal dampness, while females may have yellowish vaginal discharge. Observing the tongue, one may see a red tongue body with a yellow greasy coating.
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Traditional Chinese Medicine Perspective on Damp-Heat Constitution
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) believes that individuals with a Damp-Heat Constitution are more prone to skin diseases such as eczema and acne, as well as digestive system disorders like canker sores, jaundice, and chronic gastroenteritis.
Therefore, individuals with Damp-Heat Constitution can adjust their health through diet, lifestyle, and daily routines.
- It is advisable to choose cooling or light foods, such as Chi Xiao Dou (Adzuki Bean), Lu Dou (Mung Bean), Dong Gua (Winter Melon), Yi Yi Ren (Job’s Tears), Bai Li (Water Chestnut), and Lian Ou (Lotus Root), which can help drain dampness while also clearing heat.
- Vegetables such as Ma Chi Xian (Purslane), Kong Xin Cai (Water Spinach), Xian Cai (Amaranth), and Yi Mu Cao (Motherwort) are also recommended.
- Limit consumption of fatty and greasy foods such as lamb, animal organs, dog meat, eel, and beef, which can contribute to damp-heat and blood-heat.
- Additionally, avoid excessive intake of spicy and hot foods such as Jiu Cai (Chives), Sheng Jiang (Ginger), La Jiao (Chili), Hua Jiao (Sichuan Pepper), and foods prepared by hot pot, frying, or grilling.
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Avoid living in low-lying damp areas; the living environment should be dry and well-ventilated. Use dehumidifiers or air conditioning to improve damp and hot environments.
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Choose loose, breathable cotton clothing.
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Reduce outdoor time during rainy or high humidity days; also, avoid prolonged activities under the scorching sun.
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Pay attention to personal hygiene to prevent skin diseases.
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Maintain regular bowel movements to prevent the accumulation of damp-heat.
Chi Xiao Dou and Dong Gua Soup
Ingredients: 500g pork ribs, 100g Chi Xiao Dou (Adzuki Bean), 500g Dong Gua (Winter Melon). Chi Xiao Dou can strengthen the spleen and eliminate dampness, Dong Gua can clear heat, promote urination, and reduce swelling, while pork is sweet and neutral, providing nourishment to replenish protein lost in summer.
This dish can strengthen the spleen, eliminate dampness, and clear heat, making it very suitable for the recent rainy and hot weather. Note that those with Yang deficiency should avoid excessive consumption.
Friends from Guangdong
Why does the whole family brew soup every day, and I often drink herbal tea, yet the Damp-Heat just won’t go away? Does Damp-Heat really have such a fondness for the people of Guangdong?!
Here’s a little knowledge: Damp and Heat are like brothers in misfortune; they are two different types of pathogenic evils. Dampness is a Yin pathogenic evil that needs to be overcome with warming and drying herbs; Heat is a Yang pathogenic evil that is usually treated with cooling herbs.
Doctor
Therefore, treating Damp-Heat is inherently contradictory; it is easier to eliminate a single pathogenic evil (either eliminating dampness or clearing heat), but when they are intertwined, it becomes very difficult to regulate. Thus, the ancients described Damp-Heat as “Damp and Heat boil each other like oil wrapped in flour.”
Follow Expert Health GuidanceAnd Say Goodbye to Damp-Heat Constitution
Introduction to the Department
The Center for Preventive Medicine at Shenzhen Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital integrates health information collection, health status detection and assessment, health maintenance and consultation, health intervention, and health education. It is one of the first pilot units for “Preventive Medicine” by the National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, a selected demonstration unit for the capacity building project of TCM preventive medicine, a pilot unit for the Guangdong Province TCM preventive health project, and a leading unit for the Shenzhen TCM preventive medicine alliance.
The department is equipped with areas for health information collection, health status detection and assessment, health maintenance consultation, TCM suitable technology intervention, and health education, and has various TCM health detection and assessment equipment, including TCM constitution identification instruments, meridian detection instruments, digital infrared thermal imaging instruments, body composition analyzers, mental stress analyzers, body function scanners, microcirculation detection instruments, iris detection instruments, and health management integrated machines, which can comprehensively assess the health status of individuals. TCM physicians develop personalized health management and wellness plans based on the “TCM Health Check Report” for different populations, including healthy individuals, sub-healthy individuals, chronic disease patients, women, children, and the elderly, and carry out a series of TCM suitable techniques such as moxibustion, fire therapy, herbal poultices, directional drug penetration, herbal steaming, foot baths, aromatherapy, medicinal pastes, auricular acupuncture, gua sha, cupping, traction, pulse therapy, and meridian opening, achieving preventive health care through TCM “Preventive Medicine” to protect your health throughout the entire process and cycle.
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