Feeling fatigued and heavy, experiencing drowsiness? Oily skin and frequent acne breakouts? Constant sweating, a sticky feeling on the skin, and itchy red spots? Bitter taste, dry mouth, bad breath, and excessive phlegm? Dark yellow urine with an unusual odor? Sticky stools? Prone to inflammation?

What causes these symptoms? Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) believes that these manifestations are due to the presence of both dampness and heat in the body, which combine to form damp-heat that obstructs various organs and meridians, leading to the symptoms mentioned above. How should we treat this? TCM suggests that since there are different manifestations, we should identify the specific locations of damp-heat accumulation and address them accordingly for targeted treatment. Dr. Liu will clarify the different types of damp-heat, their specific manifestations, corresponding diseases, and relevant herbal treatments.

Type 1: Spleen-Stomach Damp-Heat

Specific manifestations: Frequent acid reflux, heartburn, poor appetite, lack of interest in food, excessive phlegm, a heavy feeling in the body, lethargy, sticky stools, a sensation of heat, and profuse sweating.

Corresponding tongue appearance: Red tongue with red spots on the edges, some may have a scalloped tongue, and a yellow greasy coating. Common diseases associated: Gastritis, gastric ulcers, insufficient gastric motility, gastroesophageal reflux disease, pharyngitis, duodenal ulcers, etc. Reference herbal formulas: Huo Po Xia Ling Tang (Huo Po and Summer Poria Decoction); Wei Li Jiao Nang (Gastric Power Capsules), Qing Wei Huang Lian Wan (Clear Stomach and Huang Lian Pill).

Type 2: Liver-Gallbladder Damp-Heat

Specific manifestations: Bitter taste, dry mouth, nausea, yellowing of the skin, frequent right upper abdominal distension and pain, irritability, dizziness, tinnitus, and eye inflammation. Some may also experience male or female reproductive system inflammation.

Corresponding tongue appearance: Red tongue with swollen sides and prickles. Common diseases associated: Cholecystitis, liver and gallbladder stones, fatty liver, otitis media, hordeolum, vulvitis. Reference herbal formulas: Long Dan Xie Gan Wan (Gentian Decoction to Drain the Liver), Yin Chen Wu Ling Wan (Yin Chen and Five Poria Pill).

Type 3: Bladder Damp-Heat

Specific manifestations: Frequent urination, urgency, reduced urine output, burning sensation during urination, sudden severe pain while urinating, and a feeling of discomfort in the lower abdomen.

Corresponding tongue appearance: Red tongue with a particularly thick yellow greasy coating at the root. Common diseases associated: Urinary tract infections, urethritis, acute cystitis, urinary stones. Reference herbal formulas: Ba Zheng Ke Li (Eight Correct Granules), Bi Lin Qing Jiao Nang (Bi Lin Clear Capsule).

Type 4: Large Intestine Damp-Heat

Specific manifestations: Urgent need to defecate, resulting in diarrhea with a particularly foul odor, burning pain in the anus after defecation, and some may experience blood in the stool, along with frequent thirst.

Corresponding tongue appearance: Red tongue with a yellow greasy coating. Common diseases associated: Acute enteritis, hemorrhoids, food poisoning, colitis, etc. Reference herbal formulas: Xiang Lian Wan (Aromatic Lian Pill), Ge Gen Qin Lian Tang (Ge Gen and Qin Lian Decoction).

This concludes the summary of the specific manifestations of damp-heat in different locations, their corresponding tongue appearances, and how to reference herbal formulas. Have you learned it? If you have multiple manifestations of damp-heat, a differential diagnosis and tailored treatment plan will be necessary. If you are experiencing similar issues, feel free to share your tongue coating in the comments, and I will help analyze it.

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