Individuals with a damp-heat constitution (shī rè tǐ zhì) are easily identifiable by a very typical manifestation—dark complexion, as if covered with a layer of dust that cannot be washed away.
Often, we can determine whether a person has a damp-heat constitution just by looking at their face.
Those with a damp-heat constitution often have a face that gives an impression of uncleanliness, with a dark yellow and greasy complexion, yellowed teeth, red gums, dark red lips, and skin prone to pustular acne with noticeable redness and pain. They frequently experience a bitter taste in the mouth, dry mouth, bad breath, strong body odor, and excessive sweating. Their stools may be dry and hard or sticky and unsatisfactory, which is somewhat similar to a phlegm-damp constitution.
However, individuals with a damp-heat constitution tend to have particularly foul-smelling stools, dark yellow urine with a strong odor, and women may experience yellowish vaginal discharge with a strong odor and frequent itching in the vulva, along with a yellow tongue coating.
Generally speaking, the closer one is to a damp-heat constitution, the more prone they are to irritability and anger; it is rare to see a mild-mannered person with a damp-heat constitution.
Disruption of the Spleen and Stomach Leads to Damp-Heat
The formation of a damp-heat constitution is closely related to the dysfunction of the liver, gallbladder, spleen, and stomach, especially the liver and gallbladder.Typically, the characteristics of a damp-heat constitution arise from mild dysfunction of the liver meridian (gān jīng), gallbladder meridian (dǎn jīng), and liver organ (gān).
When the liver and gallbladder become stagnant and transform into heat, and the spleen is deficient leading to internal phlegm-dampness, the body becomes damp, stuffy, and hot, resulting in a very turbid condition. Therefore, individuals with a damp-heat constitution exhibit a very “turbid” appearance both externally and internally, even in their excretions.
If a person smokes, drinks alcohol, and stays up late, they are likely to develop a phlegm-damp constitution, leading to an unattractive appearance.
We all know that smoking severely harms the lungs and can “ruin one’s looks,” causing dull hair color, yellowed teeth, and a waxy complexion. Additionally, drinking alcohol and staying up late harm the liver and gallbladder, which in turn damages the spleen and stomach, eventually leading to a damp-heat constitution.
Symptoms of Damp-Heat Vary Among Individuals
Even among those with a damp-heat constitution, symptoms can vary significantly. This is because when the damp-heat pathogen invades the body, it tends to target the weakest areas of an individual’s body.
Some may exhibit symptoms of liver and gallbladder damp-heat, while others may show gastrointestinal damp-heat, and some may present with lower jiao damp-heat.
Three Points to Alleviate Damp-Heat
1. Living Environment
The cause of a damp-heat constitution is the accumulation of damp-heat, often stemming from congenital factors or prolonged residence in damp areas. Therefore, such individuals should first learn to avoid dampness.
They should avoid living in low-lying, damp places, and their living environment should be dry and well-ventilated. During the hot and humid summer months, they should reduce outdoor activities.
Maintain sufficient and regular sleep, avoid staying up late, and refrain from excessive fatigue.
2. Diet
Individuals with this constitution should primarily consume light foods, including adzuki beans (zhǐ xiǎo dòu), mung beans (lǜ dòu), celery (qín cài), cucumbers (huáng guā), and lotus root (lián ǒu), which are sweet and cool in nature.
They should limit consumption of lamb (yáng ròu), leeks (jiǔ cài), ginger (shēng jiāng), chili peppers (là jiāo), black pepper (hēi jiāo), and Sichuan pepper (huā jiāo), which are sweet and warm, as well as hot pot, fried, and barbecued foods that are spicy and warming. It is best to avoid alcohol altogether, as it generates phlegm and heat, which only exacerbates the damp-heat constitution.
3. Exercise
Individuals with a damp-heat constitution should avoid going outdoors when the temperature is too high or limit their time spent outside. However, when the weather is not hot, they should engage in exercise.
Because dampness and heat are difficult to eliminate, they should engage in moderate high-intensity exercises, such as middle-distance running, swimming, hiking, various ball sports, and martial arts.
Pressing the Quchi (曲池) and Yinlingquan (阴陵泉) acupuncture points for two to three minutes each night can also effectively clear heat and eliminate dampness.
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