Traditional Chinese Medicine: How to Remove Dampness

Dampness, a key concept in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), is often overlooked but can have significant health impacts when it accumulates in the body. It tends to accumulate over time, especially during humid seasons, and can lead to various health issues. This article examines what dampness is, how to assess its presence, methods for improving the condition, and effective ways to eliminate internal dampness using TCM techniques.

What is Dampness?

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), dampness is recognized as a common pathogenic factor, resulting from the stagnation and poor movement of water and moisture within the body. Dampness is classified into two types: external and internal.

External Dampness is typically caused by environmental factors such as prolonged exposure to damp conditions, getting caught in the rain, or walking through wet environments.

Internal Dampness arises primarily from a dysfunction of the spleen and stomach. In TCM, the spleen and stomach are responsible for the transformation and transportation of water and moisture. When these organs are weak, they fail to properly metabolize moisture, leading to its accumulation in the body and the formation of dampness.

Dampness is known for its sticky, heavy nature, which can obstruct the smooth flow of Qi and blood. This stagnation can result in a range of discomforts, including fatigue, bloating, joint pain, and digestive issues.

How to Quickly Assess the Severity of Dampness

To determine if internal dampness is excessive, consider the following factors:

Tongue Coating:
A thick, greasy, and excessively moist tongue coating, often white or yellow and sticky in appearance, suggests heavy dampness. A healthy tongue coating should be thin, white, and moist. If the coating is noticeably thick and oily, it may indicate significant internal dampness.

Bowel Movements:
People with excessive dampness often experience sticky, unformed stools that are difficult to fully eliminate. Some may also experience alternating constipation and diarrhea, which are common signs of internal dampness.

Physical Sensations:
Those with heavy dampness frequently feel a sense of heaviness in their body, fatigue in the limbs, and dizziness, especially in humid weather. If you often feel sluggish, fatigued, or weighed down, dampness may be the underlying cause.

Morning Symptoms:
Waking up with a feeling of heaviness, bloating, and weakness in the limbs is another indication of excessive dampness. These symptoms are typically more pronounced after a night’s rest.

How to Improve Heavy Dampness

Heavy dampness is a common issue, but it can be effectively managed with the right lifestyle adjustments. Here are some methods to help reduce and improve excessive dampness:

Appropriate Exercise:
Exercise is one of the best ways to expel dampness from the body. Physical activity increases circulation and induces sweating, which helps release excess moisture. Good options include running, yoga, and brisk walking. However, exercise should be done in the morning or evening, and it’s best to avoid intense workouts in humid conditions to prevent aggravating dampness.

Dietary Adjustments:
People with heavy dampness should avoid cold and greasy foods. Cold foods weaken the spleen and stomach, worsening dampness, while greasy foods contribute to damp heat. It’s better to eat foods that strengthen the spleen and aid in moisture metabolism. Some examples include job’s tears, red beans, yam, and winter melon. These foods help promote the elimination of dampness and support digestion.

Maintain a Dry Environment:
High humidity in your living space can exacerbate dampness. To prevent this, ensure your home is well-ventilated, and consider using dehumidifiers or air conditioners to reduce indoor moisture levels. Extra attention should be given during rainy seasons to keep the environment as dry as possible.

Warmth Maintenance:
It’s important to stay warm, especially in cold or damp weather. The body’s circulation can be hindered by damp conditions, so avoiding exposure to cold and dampness is key. Additionally, foot baths can be particularly helpful as they stimulate blood flow and aid in the removal of dampness.

Recommended Dampness-Removing Foods

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), certain foods are known for their ability to remove dampness and support the body’s natural balance. Here are some of the most commonly recommended foods to help clear excess moisture from the body:

Job’s Tears (Coix Seed):
Job’s tears are considered an excellent food for reducing dampness. They have a cooling effect and help with water metabolism, strengthening the spleen and eliminating excess moisture. Job’s tears can be used in porridge, soups, or teas, and they are suitable for long-term consumption to support digestive health and reduce internal dampness.

Red Beans:
Red beans are neutral in nature and are known for their spleen-strengthening properties. They also help drain excess water from the body. A common remedy for dampness is red bean soup combined with job’s tears, which promotes the metabolism of fluids and reduces bloating. This combination is particularly beneficial for those suffering from digestive issues or water retention.

Winter Melon:
Winter melon is known for its cold nature, which helps promote diuresis, reduce swelling, and clear excess heat from the body. It is especially beneficial in summer, as it helps to dispel dampness and cool the body. Winter melon can be used in soups, stir-fries, or simply eaten as a refreshing snack to aid in moisture metabolism and reduce the sensation of heaviness.

Poria (Fu Ling):
Poria is a neutral, sweet herb that enters the spleen channel. It is famous for its ability to strengthen the spleen, remove dampness, and calm the mind. Poria is commonly used in soups or as an ingredient in desserts. Its long-term consumption helps promote digestive health and supports the body’s ability to process moisture. It’s often included in TCM formulas for people suffering from bloating, water retention, or fatigue due to dampness.

Jiao Er Xian Tea (Ginger Rice Tea):
Ingredients: About 300g of millet, about 300g of fresh ginger
Benefits: Dispels dampness and cold, aids in weight loss
How to prepare: Brew with boiling water
Instructions:Peel the ginger and cut it into even strips.Stir-fry the millet and ginger strips over low heat until the color turns golden brown.Once done, brew with boiling water.

TCM Treatment Methods

In addition to dietary changes, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) offers several external therapies to help eliminate dampness from the body. Here are some commonly used methods:

Gua Sha

Gua Sha is a technique that involves scraping specific areas of the skin with a smooth-edged tool to improve the flow of qi and enhance blood circulation. When it comes to clearing dampness, Gua Sha can help expel excess moisture and toxins from the body, especially by focusing on the spleen channel and bladder meridian along the back.

The key principle behind Gua Sha is to stimulate the body’s yang energy, which aids in gradually dispelling internal dampness. By invigorating the body’s energy flow, this method helps to alleviate the heavy, sluggish feeling associated with damp accumulation.

Application Guidelines:

Frequency: The first session should be kept shorter, with follow-up sessions spaced about a week apart, based on individual needs.
Duration: Sessions typically last 10–20 minutes, but the length can be adjusted depending on comfort and specific requirements.
Target Areas: The back (particularly along the spine), sides of the torso, and limbs are commonly treated to address areas affected by dampness.

Moxibustion

Moxibustion is a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) technique that involves burning mugwort (Artemisia) near specific acupoints on the body. The heat from the burning mugwort stimulates these points, helping to open the meridians and expel cold and dampness. It is particularly effective for addressing internal dampness, as it warms the body and promotes the smooth flow of qi and blood.

Here are six key acupoints that can help remove dampness:

1. Guanyuan (CV4)
   Location: Three inches below the navel.
   Benefits: Moxibustion at this point helps to regulate qi and blood, tonify the kidneys, and strengthen the body’s yang energy. It is especially useful for individuals with cold and damp accumulation, supporting overall vitality and immune function.
2. Fenglong (ST40)
   Location: Eight inches above the external ankle point on the outer leg.
   Benefits: This acupoint is known for its ability to relieve symptoms like headaches, dizziness, and excessive phlegm. It helps clear dampness from the body and is effective for resolving respiratory issues and digestive problems related to dampness.
3. Zhongwan (CV12)
   Location: Four inches above the navel.
   Benefits: Moxibustion at this point can alleviate gastrointestinal discomforts such as diarrhea, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, nausea, heartburn, and belching. It is particularly useful for improving digestion and addressing issues related to spleen weakness, which is often associated with damp accumulation.

4. Jiexie (BL63)
   Location: In front of the ankle joint, on the foot.
   Benefits: Jiexie is an important point for draining stomach dampness and alleviating lower body edema, which often results from excess moisture accumulation. Moxibustion at this point helps to promote the movement of qi and fluids in the body, reducing bloating and water retention.
5. Chengshan (BL57)
   Location: At the lower edge of the calf muscle, on the back of the leg.
   Benefits: Moxibustion at Chengshan helps expel internal dampness, particularly from the lower body. It is commonly used for conditions such as swelling, leg heaviness, and lower back pain caused by damp accumulation. For best results, this point is usually treated with moxibustion for about fifteen minutes daily.
6. Zusanli (ST36)
   Location: Three inches below the knee on the outer side of the tibia.
   Benefits: This is one of the most important acupoints for tonifying the spleen and stomach, strengthening digestion, and drying dampness. It stimulates spleen qi, supports the transformation and transportation of fluids, and restores the function of the digestive system, which is crucial for managing internal dampness.

Cupping Therapy

Cupping therapy is an effective treatment method in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) that uses negative pressure to stimulate specific acupoints. This therapy is beneficial for activating qi, improving blood circulation, and promoting the removal of dampness from the body. The key areas for cupping to address dampness are:

1. Muscle Areas Along the Spine
   Location: The muscles along the spine, particularly where the bladder meridian runs.
   Benefits: This area is rich in muscles and is a primary channel for the bladder meridian, which plays an essential role in fluid metabolism. By applying cupping along the spine, you can stimulate qi flow, improve blood circulation, and enhance water metabolism. This helps expel dampness and promotes overall fluid balance in the body.
2. Yongquan (KD1)
   Location: In the center of the sole of the foot.
   Benefits: Yongquan is a key acupoint for regulating kidney function and water metabolism. The kidneys are responsible for managing the body’s water balance, and stimulating this point can help improve fluid metabolism and eliminate dampness. Cupping at Yongquan enhances qi and blood flow, encouraging the body to release excess moisture and reduce swelling.
3. Zusanli (ST36)
   Location: Three inches below the knee on the outer side of the tibia.
   Benefits: Zusanli is a powerful point for tonifying the spleen and stomach, which are crucial for water metabolism. Cupping at this point helps restore the spleen’s function, promoting better digestion and fluid transformation. It also boosts the body’s ability to clear dampness, reduce bloating, and improve overall energy levels.

Conclusion

Dampness is a common issue in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) that can negatively affect health if left unaddressed. Through dietary adjustments, exercise, and TCM techniques such as Gua Sha, moxibustion, and cupping therapy, internal dampness can be effectively managed. Early action to address dampness is key to preventing further health problems. If you experience symptoms like heaviness, fatigue, or digestive discomfort, it’s important to consult a TCM practitioner for effective treatment.

Common Queries about Dampness in the Body