What to Do for People with Heavy Dampness Who Contract Exogenous Diseases? What Are the Aftereffects? (Includes Audio)

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This article is: Dr. Peng Xin’s explanation of the third lecture in the series “Traditional Chinese Medicine Treatment of Exogenous Diseases”. (More exciting content will be updated in the next issue…)】

Dear listeners, hello, I am Dr. Peng Xin from Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Today, I will share the main title of the course:What to Do for People with Heavy Dampness Who Contract Exogenous Diseases? What Are the Aftereffects?

The subtitle is:Traditional Chinese Medicine Ancient Methods for Treating Exogenous Diseases (Lecture 3) — Experience Sharing on Differentiation: Cold-Damp Exogenous Syndrome

SpecialNote:This content is mainly for clinical reference for TCM professionals. The formulas, herbs, and various treatment methods mentioned in the text should not be used blindly by non-professionals and should be applied under the guidance of a qualified TCM practitioner for safety.

In previous courses, I shared the content of Traditional Chinese Medicine Ancient Methods for Treating Exogenous Diseases (Lecture 1) — Experience Sharing on Differentiation: Wind-Cold, Wind-Heat (click to view) and Traditional Chinese Medicine Ancient Methods for Treating Exogenous Diseases (Lecture 2) — Experience Sharing on Differentiation: Qi Deficiency Exogenous Syndrome (click to view). This time, I will continue to share the thoughts and my personal experiences on treating exogenous diseases in TCM, focusing on the fourth syndrome — “Cold-Damp Exogenous Syndrome”.

IV. Cold-Damp Exogenous Syndrome

The three key elements in TCM treatment of exogenous diseases are: etiology, constitution, and underlying diseases.

The formula is: etiology + constitution + underlying diseases = syndrome

Generally speaking, individuals with a constitution of heavy dampness who are affected by the evil of wind-cold will develop a cold-damp exogenous syndrome.

Main manifestations: fever, chills, no sweating or difficulty sweating, headache and heaviness in the head, nasal congestion with a heavy voice, cough with a feeling of fullness in the chest, body aches and heaviness, fatigue, poor appetite, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, white greasy tongue coating, and floating pulse.

Among these, the manifestations of dampness include: heaviness in the head, body heaviness, body aches, poor appetite, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and a white greasy tongue coating.

Pathogenesis summary: Wind-cold invasion, dampness obstructing the exterior

Treatment principles: Disperse wind, scatter cold, and resolve dampness

Corresponding formula and herbs: Based on the Shi Shen Tang (Ten Deities Decoction) (adjusted according to clinical conditions)

Formula composition: Shi Shen Tang formula: Chuanxiong (Chuanxiong) 5g, Mahuang (Ephedra) 5g, Gegen (Kudzu) 5g, Zisuye (Perilla Leaf) 5g, Chishaoyao (Red Peony) 5g, Shengma (Cimicifuga) 5g, Baizhi (Angelica Dahurica) 5g, Zhi Gan Cao (Honey-fried Licorice) 5g, Chenpi (Dried Tangerine Peel) 5g, Xiangfu (Cyperus) 5g.

(The composition and dosage of the above formula are mainly based on Sun Simiao’s Qianjin Yifang, with each of the ten herbs being 1.5 qian; TCM professionals can adjust according to the specific clinical situation of the patient)

Analysis of the formula’s significance:

The Shi Shen Tang originates from the Tang Dynasty’s Sun Simiao’s Qianjin Yifang, which states that this formula “treats cold damage, seasonal irregularities, epidemic diseases, colds with fever, or the desire to break out in rashes, regardless of yin or yang, both wind-cold can be treated.” This formula consists of ten herbs including Chuanxiong, Mahuang, Gegen, Zisuye, etc., and is effective like a divine remedy, hence the name “Shi Shen Tang”. Many ancient medical texts such as Qianjin Yifang, Taiping Huimin Heji Ju Fang, and Shanghan Xinfa Yaolue all record Shi Shen Tang as a famous formula for treating epidemics. The renowned TCM scholar Mr. Pu Fuzhou also used this formula to treat cold epidemics in the 1960s.

As mentioned earlier, Sun Simiao recorded in Qianjin Yifang that Shi Shen Tang is primarily used for treating “cold damage” and “epidemic diseases” with the pathogenesis being external invasion of wind-cold-dampness. The Taiyin Lung Meridian is obstructed by wind-cold-dampness, leading to symptoms of aversion to cold, fever, nasal congestion with a heavy voice, cough with a feeling of fullness in the chest; the Taiyin Spleen Meridian is troubled by wind-cold-dampness, leading to symptoms of body aches, heaviness, poor appetite, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. In the formula, Mahuang is acrid, bitter, and warm, dispersing cold and promoting lung function, inducing sweating and resolving the exterior, thus it is the monarch herb. (Please follow WeChat: pengxinboshi) Zisuye is acrid and warm, dispersing cold and resolving the exterior, regulating qi and relieving the middle; Baizhi disperses wind and eliminates dampness, opening the orifices and relieving pain; Shengma and Gegen help to disperse and relieve muscle tension; Chenpi and Xiangfu promote qi, strengthen the spleen, and regulate the stomach, combined with Zisuye and Baizhi to resolve dampness; Chuanxiong invigorates blood and promotes qi, dispelling wind and relieving pain, serving as the minister herbs. The formula is complemented by Chishaoyao, which cools the blood, invigorates blood, and nourishes yin, clearing heat transformed from qi stagnation while preventing the previous herbs from being overly acrid and dispersive. Zhi Gan Cao harmonizes the various herbs to stabilize the spleen and stomach. Together, these herbs work to disperse wind, scatter cold, and resolve dampness.^[1]

Distinguishing applications:

Shi Shen Tang and Huo Xiang Zheng Qi San are distinguished in application: both have the function of resolving the exterior and transforming dampness, and have been recommended by generations of physicians as important formulas for treating cold-damp exogenous syndrome. Although both contain Baizhi, Zisuye, Chenpi, and Zhi Gan Cao, Shi Shen Tang uses the acrid and warm Mahuang as the monarch herb, supplemented by Gegen, Shengma, and Chuanxiong, focusing on dispersing wind, scattering cold, and resolving dampness, emphasizing the “exterior” and primarily targeting exogenous wind-cold-damp diseases; Huo Xiang Zheng Qi San uses the acrid and warm aromatic Huo Xiang as the monarch herb, supplemented by Banxia, Baizhu, and Houpo, focusing on dispelling turbidity, transforming dampness, harmonizing the middle, and stopping vomiting, primarily targeting symptoms of nausea, vomiting, abdominal distension, and other internal dampness diseases, emphasizing the “interior”. The principles and focuses of the two formulas differ, and clinical differentiation is necessary for appropriate use.

Adjustments and modifications:

If there is nausea and abdominal distension with significant qi counterflow and chest tightness, indicating dampness obstructing the middle jiao, add Cangzhu 5g and Houpo 5g to dry dampness, move the spleen, and regulate the stomach.

If there is a bitter taste in the mouth and dryness in the throat, with alternating chills and fever, indicating the evil has entered the Shaoyang, add Chaihu 9g and Huangqin 6g to harmonize the exterior and interior, and resolve Shaoyang.

If there is heaviness in the head and body, stiffness in the neck and back, and significant body aches, indicating heavy dampness, add Qianghuo 6g and Duhuo 6g to disperse wind and overcome dampness.

If there is a severe cough, indicating lung qi is obstructed, add Xingren 9g and Baiqian 9g to promote lung function, descend qi, stop cough, and transform phlegm;

If there is a bitter taste, dry mouth, thirst, and a yellow greasy tongue coating, indicating a tendency for dampness to transform into heat, add Huangqin 6g and Lianqiao 6g; Huangqin clears lung fire, and Lianqiao clears fire from the upper, middle, and lower jiao, resolving the stagnant fire in the twelve meridians, and can also promote urination and clear heat while harmonizing with the previous warming herbs without harming the spleen and stomach.

Dr. Peng’s personal experience sharing:

(1) Simple summary of Cold-Damp Exogenous Syndrome

Recently, among patients with exogenous diseases, the main pathogenesis of this type of cold-damp exogenous syndrome is “two types of wind-cold”, presenting two groups of symptoms: one group is symptoms of lung defense cold, where the Taiyin Lung Meridian is obstructed by cold-dampness, leading to aversion to cold, fever, nasal congestion with a heavy voice, cough with a feeling of fullness in the chest, headache, and chest tightness; the other group is symptoms of Taiyin cold-dampness (cold-dampness in the spleen and stomach), where the Taiyin Spleen Meridian is troubled by wind-cold-dampness, affecting the muscles, leading to body aches, heaviness, fatigue, poor appetite, abdominal pain, distension, nausea, and vomiting. Shi Shen Tang can disperse wind, scatter cold, and resolve dampness, promoting lung function to disperse cold-dampness while strengthening the spleen to transform cold-dampness, directly addressing “cold-damp epidemics” and common cold-damp exogenous syndromes. However, it is not suitable for exogenous wind-heat or yin deficiency with dry heat.

(2) Aftereffects and care suggestions after recovery from Cold-Damp Exogenous Syndrome

It is important to note that patients with cold-damp exogenous syndrome may experience lingering dampness and residual symptoms after recovery, such as fatigue, body heaviness, poor appetite, nausea, vomiting, abdominal distension, diarrhea, white thick greasy tongue coating, and teeth marks on the tongue. These are all manifestations of dampness obstructing the spleen and residual evil. (Please follow WeChat: pengxinboshi) Therefore, patients with cold-damp exogenous syndrome who have these issues need to strengthen the spleen, resolve dampness, and eliminate dampness according to their constitution, focusing on health preservation.

During the recovery period, diet is particularly important. It is recommended to avoid spicy, cold, and overly sweet foods. The diet should be light, warm, nutritious, and easy to digest, avoiding adding burden to the spleen and stomach. Moxibustion can be performed at points such as Zusanli, Zhongwan, and Guanyuan, while ensuring adequate sleep and avoiding excessive exercise.

As for detailed herbal adjustments, dietary therapy, or moxibustion health preservation, I will explain in detail in future courses. After a period of care, (Please follow WeChat: pengxinboshi) once the body is fully restored, it will be complete.

Special note:This content is mainly for clinical reference for TCM professionals. The formulas, herbs, and various treatment methods mentioned in the text should not be used blindly by non-professionals and should be applied under the guidance of a qualified TCM practitioner for safety.

Due to time constraints, today’s lesson ends here. In the upcoming courses, I will gradually share the aftereffects of recovery from exogenous diseases: such as fatigue, sore throat, cough, chest tightness, shortness of breath, aversion to cold, insomnia, low fever, palpitations, abdominal pain, diarrhea, lack of energy, and recurrent susceptibility, and how to care for these issues, sharing them one by one in the next courses. Thank you all!

I sincerely wish you good health!

I am Dr. Peng Xin from Traditional Chinese Medicine, see you in the next issue! (To be continued)

References

[1] Peng Xin, Hu Jingqing, Wang Ning. Ancient Formulas for Epidemic Prevention Used Today [M]. Beijing: People’s Health Publishing House, 2021:30

This article is: Dr. Peng Xin’s explanation of the third lecture in the series “Traditional Chinese Medicine Treatment of Exogenous Diseases”, more exciting content will be updated in the next issue.

Previous content of Dr. Peng Xin’s series on “Traditional Chinese Medicine Treatment of Exogenous Diseases”:

1: Traditional Chinese Medicine Ancient Methods for Treating Exogenous Diseases (Lecture 1) — Experience Sharing on Differentiation: Wind-Cold, Wind-Heat (Includes Audio) (click to view the original text)

2:What to Do for People with Qi Deficiency Who Contract Exogenous Diseases? What Are the Aftereffects? (Includes Audio) (click to view the original text)

Disclaimer: This article is a health knowledge sharing. The medications, formulas, acupuncture, and other treatments and health preservation methods mentioned in the text should be applied under the guidance of a qualified physician, and should not be used independently. The author is not responsible for any issues arising from improper use.

Copyright statement: This article is authored by Peng Xin, this is an original article, and reproduction or citation without permission is prohibited.

(Copyright belongs to the original author, and all legal rights are reserved)

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