Traditional Chinese Medicine Case Studies / Clinical Discussions / Reference Articles for Learning TCM
Understanding Damp-Heat
When we observe damp-heat, we should not rush to clear it immediately.
Damp-heat is merely a result; if we focus solely on the result, it will reappear quickly because the cause remains.
Focusing on treating damp-heat will only lead us to be led by it.
The result of being led is that whenever we establish a treatment method and prescribe herbs, the body has already undergone other changes, and the treatment always lags behind pathological changes.
If we do not address the source, by the time the treatment is established, it is already too late.
Therefore, we should solve the problem from the source, first understanding where this damp-heat originates from, whether it is from external damp-heat or internally generated damp-heat.
Once we clarify the source of the damp-heat, we can cut it off at the root, rendering it as water without a source, and it will quickly dry up, allowing the damp-heat to resolve on its own.
At this point, I cannot help but recall a case from many years ago.
The patient was none other than my younger sister.
She developed eczema on her feet—between her toes and other areas of her feet had blisters—her skin was oozing and itchy.
At that time, I thought it was damp-heat in the lower jiao (lower abdomen), and without much thought, I used Si Miao San (Four Marvels Powder) (please use the herbs and formulas mentioned in this article under the guidance of a physician), as it addresses damp-heat in the lower jiao.
After using Si Miao San, her symptoms improved somewhat, but soon the condition relapsed.
Why?
Because I did not eliminate the source of her illness; I was merely chasing after the result, and thus I was led by it.
Later, I carefully differentiated her condition. What was her situation?
At that time, she often made Jiu Zheng Jiu Shan Zhi Ma Wan (Nine Steamed and Nine Sun-Dried Sesame Pills) at home.She frequently stood by the stove, which dried her mouth and tongue.
She experienced significant dryness in her throat at night; what was this condition?
She was injured by fire, damaging her yin energy.
During that time, she also had symptoms of lower back soreness, which was due to kidney yin deficiency, leading to dysfunction in the kidney’s ability to regulate water, causing the water to transform into damp-heat.
Damp-heat flowed to the feet, especially in areas governed by the kidney meridian, resulting in eczema.
Because I did not identify the source of her illness during the first treatment, her feet developed eczema again, with oozing that persisted and did not heal.
In the end, what formula did I use for her?
I used Zeng Ye Tang (Increase Fluid Decoction), which consists of Sheng Di Huang (Rehmannia Root), Xuan Shen (Scrophularia Root), and Mai Dong (Ophiopogon Root). After just three days of taking this simple formula, her foot eczema healed completely; it was entirely a nourishing yin formula.
One might think that if a person has dampness in their body, consuming a nourishing yin formula should worsen the eczema, as the Zeng Ye Tang is primarily composed of fluids.
However, the result was quite the opposite; it not only did not worsen the eczema but rather cured it.
Why?
Because she replenished her fluids, and once the kidney water was nourished, the previously sluggish areas began to function properly, quickly processing the excess water and waste, thus resolving her foot eczema.
So, do you see? We must cut off the root cause of damp-heat production at the source. Therefore, it is essential to thoroughly understand the medical history and how the illness originated, addressing it from the source.
This is an embodiment of the principle of “seeing dampness and stopping treatment for dampness.”
Is it the case that everyone experiences kidney water deficiency leading to damp-heat?
Not necessarily.
Excerpt from: “Eliminating Phlegm-Dampness Cures Hundreds of Diseases” by Fan Yuanwu Publisher: Hebei Science and Technology Press
You May Also Like, click to read the original text:
Fan Yuanwu: Where Does the Internal Dampness of the Human Body Come From?
Fan Yuanwu: What is Dampness? Visible Dampness.
Wang Fengchun: 10 Methods to Treat Dampness and Warm Diseases
Zhang Boli: Discussion on Treating Dampness and Turbid Phlegm Disorders
//////////
[ Read Previous Exciting Articles ]
#Introduction to TCM Collection #Twelve Meridians Explained #Donghai Medical Collection
#Experience of Old TCM Practitioners #TCM Formulas #Proven Secret Formulas #Master of Traditional Chinese Medicine
#Famous Cases of Cold Damage #Selected Famous Cases from the Golden Cabinet
#Si Jun Zi Tang (Four Gentlemen Decoction) #Etiology Assignment #Pharmacological Properties Assignment
#Pharmacological Properties of 400 Herbs #Medical Three-Character Classic
#Daily Insights from Mentorship
#Daily Insights from Mentorship on Principles, Methods, Formulas, and Herbs
#TCM Serialized Collection
Master He Ren: What is the Essence of Applying Warming Meridians Decoction?
Zhou Zhongying: Insights and Techniques from 60 Years of TCM Diagnosis (All Essentials)
Ding Guangdi: Qiang Huo Sheng Shi Tang for Treating “Five Morning Diarrhea”
Unexpectedly, “Qing Gu San” is indeed the remedy for fever after bone fractures!
Dan Zha San for Treating Hyperlipidemia (Including Four Proven Recipes for High Blood Lipids)
Shanghai Shen’s Gynecology’s 600-Year Family Secret Formula
Magical! A Wonderful Experience Using Ancient Formulas to Treat Cavities!
Ancient Formula “San Liang Ban” Quickly Cures Lumbar Muscle Strain!
[Collection] Eight Formulas from Nanshi for Treating Insomnia, Hypertension, and Gastrointestinal Diseases!
Recommended Reading:
-END-
