Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) classifies human constitution into nine types, among which the Phlegm-Damp Constitution (tan shi ti zhi) is one.
The Phlegm-Damp Constitution refers to a condition where the body’s organ functions are disordered, leading to the disruption of the movement of Qi, blood, and body fluids, resulting in the accumulation of water and dampness, which manifests as internal phlegm.
Individuals with a Phlegm-Damp Constitution are prone to obesity, characterized not by a solid and muscular build, but rather by a soft and bloated appearance.
First, let’s take a small test to see if you have a Phlegm-Damp Constitution.
Are you of a Phlegm-Damp Constitution?
1. Do you experience chest tightness or abdominal bloating?
2. Does your body feel heavy or uncomfortable?
3. Is your abdomen soft and bloated?
4. Do you have excessive oil secretion on your forehead?
5. Are your upper eyelids more swollen than others, slightly protruding?
6. Do you feel a sticky sensation in your mouth?
7. Do you often have phlegm, especially feeling like there is phlegm stuck in your throat?
8. Is your tongue coating thick and greasy, or do you feel it is thick?
If most of your answers are “yes,” you may be preliminarily diagnosed with a Phlegm-Damp Constitution.
To improve a Phlegm-Damp Constitution, dietary adjustments can be made, and using medicinal dishes can effectively nourish this constitution.
How to Nourish a Phlegm-Damp Constitution
A Phlegm-Damp Constitution can be caused by genetic factors or acquired conditions. Genetic predisposition often has a clear family history, such as relatives with diabetes, hypertension, gout, or hyperlipidemia, which may likely be inherited by the next generation.
In addition, some unhealthy lifestyle habits can make one more prone to a Phlegm-Damp Constitution. For example, irregular eating habits (frequently consuming cold, high-fat, high-protein, and high-calorie foods), exposure to cold and damp weather, lack of exercise, and staying up late.
To maintain health, it is essential to avoid staying up late, exercise regularly, keep the indoor environment dry, wear breathable clothing, and get plenty of sunlight.
Moreover, dietary therapy for a Phlegm-Damp Constitution is also crucial.
People with a Phlegm-Damp Constitution should avoid sweet, sticky, and greasy foods, and limit alcohol consumption. Their diet should include light foods that strengthen the spleen and eliminate dampness, such as white radish, scallions, ginger, ginkgo, red beans, kelp, winter melon, loofah, and carp.
Four Dishes to Improve Phlegm-Damp Constitution
1Seaweed and Radish Soup
Ingredients: 150g of seaweed, 300g of white radish, shredded chicken as needed, half a large turnip, a little salt, pepper, soy sauce, and vinegar.
Method: Peel the white radish and slice it. Peel the large turnip and cut it into chunks. Cut the seaweed into thin slices.Put the white radish, large turnip, and seaweed into a pot, add salt, and cook into a soup. Add a little vinegar, then add shredded chicken, pepper, and soy sauce to finish. Drink the soup.
2Job’s Tears Porridge
Ingredients: 30g of Job’s tears, appropriate amount of white sugar.
Method: Wash the Job’s tears, place them in a clay pot, add an appropriate amount of water, bring to a boil over high heat, then simmer on low heat. Once the Job’s tears are cooked and soft, add white sugar to finish, and consume as desired.
Effect:Strengthens the spleen, eliminates dampness, aids in weight loss and reduces swelling.
3Poria Cake
Ingredients: Poria powder, rice flour, white sugar.
Method: Grind the Poria into fine powder, mix with rice flour and white sugar, add an appropriate amount of water to form a paste, and cook in a pan over low heat to make thin cakes.
Effect:Nourishes Yin, tonifies Yang, calms the mind, benefits the spleen, promotes urination, and drains dampness.
4Plantago Seed and Job’s Tears Porridge
Ingredients: 15g of Plantago seeds, 50g of Job’s tears, appropriate amount of white sugar.
Method: Wrap the Plantago seeds in cloth and boil in water for about 30 minutes, strain the juice, add Job’s tears, bring to a boil over high heat, then simmer to make porridge, and finally add white sugar to taste.
Effect:Clears heat, eliminates dampness, and improves vision.
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