Have you ever struggled to lose weight and felt constantly exhausted, bloated, and puffy? There are some reasons that lead to these symptoms. However, almost all cases relate to the Chinese body type called “Dampness”. This article will reveal everything you need to know about Dampness. 

What is Dampness 

In traditional Chinese medicine, there are some important factors that affect a lot to your health such as: wind, heart, and dampness. In everybody, dampness is always existing. Basically, we can understand it as a reflection of dampness as it occurs in nature.

There are several things that can happen to the body that can make it damp. It could be because the digestive system isn’t able to move liquids around properly or because the body is being overloaded by dampness from the outside (wet weather, damp living conditions, foods that produce dampness). It can also happen when you are sick or when you take too much medicine that makes you sweat, like some drugs. The concentrated and easily recognizable form of dampness is called phlegm. 

When the body has too much phlegm and dampness, it can make you feel heavy and tired. For some people, it can show up as eye bags, a loss of appetite, weight gain, etc.

What are the causes of Dampness?

Before we talk about some reasons for dampness, it is important to know that, according to Traditional Chinese Medicine, diseases are caused by:

• Six outside factors

This external factor includes: Wind(风), Cold（寒）, Summer-heat（暑）, Dampness (湿)，Dryness (燥)， Fire (火).

First of all, Wind represents for Changing, Cold is Cold, Summer-heat is Heaty and Heavy, Dampness means Heavy and Fire is Burning. 

• Seven different feelings

When talking about feelings or emotions, it illustrates that internal factors affect your body. These seven feelings come from the term “七情六欲,” which means “seven feelings and six desires.” This phrase can be found in Taoist, Buddhist, and Confucian texts. From a psychic and energy point of view, this shows how people think. There are 喜Joy，怒Anger，忧Worry， 思Thought，悲Grief， 恐Fear，惊Fright. Usually, when we diagnose, we combine Worry and Thought as one and Fear and Fright as one. This way, there are only five types of feelings, which match up with the five parts and elements. This helps us diagnose and treat people better.

• Not getting enough exercise

When you don’t engage in physical activities or exercise regularly, your body can become less healthy. A lack of exercise can lead to various health problems, including weight gain and muscle weakness.

• Bad eating habits

An improper diet refers to consuming foods that do not provide the necessary nutrients and energy your body needs to function correctly. This might involve eating too much junk food, not getting enough fruits and vegetables, or consuming excessive sugary or fatty foods, which can lead to health issues like obesity, diabetes, and heart disease.

• Serious injuries

Traumatic injuries occur when you experience accidents or significant physical blows. These can result from car crashes, falls, sports accidents, or other situations where your body suffers sudden and severe damage. Traumatic injuries can range from broken bones to concussions and can have long-lasting effects on your health.

• Bite marks from animals and insects

Sometimes, insects or animals can bite or sting humans, leading to discomfort, pain, or even disease transmission. These bites can occur while you’re outdoors or indoors and can range from minor irritations to more serious health concerns, depending on the type of insect or animal and your body’s reaction.

• Blood and phlegm that don’t move

 In some cases, substances like blood and mucus can become stagnant or not circulate correctly within your body. This can be due to various health issues, such as poor circulation, clotting disorders, or respiratory problems. When these substances don’t flow as they should, it can impact your overall health and potentially lead to medical complications.

Dampness has always been linked to slow and thick states of being. Hence, sickness is a result of moisture. Yin is the natural cause of this problem. Having a Yin disposition weakens the Yang and might lead to Qi blockage in the body. It signifies that the dampness (Yin property) slows down all motions and circulation (Yang property) in the body. In addition, problems and diseases may develop when the body’s circulations and motions are restricted. Because of the blockage, various diseases and conditions develop. 

Basically, there are four main reasons why things get damp that we can easily see.

Firstly, the environment, people in Singapore and many other nations in Southeast Asia, as well as those who live in places that are located near the sea, have a propensity to retain more dampness inside their bodies. This is because the ocean and the sea are both composed of water, and dampness develops when there is an excessive amount of water.

The second reason is our natural body constitution. This is your “innate body,” which you bring with you into the world. Most of the time, people who hold on to a lot of dampness are weak in their stomach or spleen. 

Because dampness means heaviness, our digestion condition is considered a third reason. The food you eat isn’t fully broken down when your stomach is weak, as we already said. This means that the food gets stuck in your body as dampness or, in the worst cases, phlegm. 

Moreover, poor eating habits may also be the cause of dampness. If you don’t have a well-thought-out strategy for dieting, skipping meals will leave your body feeling moist.

Some points about Dampness

A key principle of Traditional Chinese Medicine is that “the Earth element creates dampness and the Metal element stores it.” The Metal element governs the lungs and the large intestine, whereas the Earth element governs the digestive system proper (the stomach and spleen). And dampness also has 2 forms: internal and external 

Internal Dampness

Most dampness is inside, and it is easy for heat or cold to mix with it to make damp-heat or damp-cold. When you have this condition, you might feel heavy, have swollen skin, an enlarged belly, phlegm discharge, nodular masses, loose stools, and so on. People who have a dampness disease often feel tired and/or gain weight quickly.

External Dampness

Sustained high levels of humidity characterize the condition known as external dampness, which typically takes place during the late summer and early autumn months or during extended periods of wet weather.

People frequently report experiencing disorientation, a heavy feeling in the head and body, as well as discomfort and pain in their joints. It is possible for there to be discharges that form on the body when there is both exterior and internal wetness. Some examples of these 

discharges are suppurating sores, weeping eczema, thrush/yeast infections, and others.

Our habits are important in the treatment of Dampness

As mentioned before, digestion is the main contributor to dampness. Therefore, it plays a crucial role in our overall health and well-being. Many factors can influence the quality of digestion, including diet, when we eat, how we eat, emotions, sleep, and stress, or we can call all of those “our habits”. In this comprehensive discussion, we will explore the impact of each of these factors on our digestive system and how they relate to dampness.

• Diet

Diet is a fundamental component of digestion. What we eat has a direct impact on how our digestive system functions. The type of food we consume can either support or hinder the digestive process.

• Cold raw foods:

Consuming an excessive amount of cold and raw foods can impair the digestive process. According to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), such foods are believed to weaken the digestive “fire” or Spleen Yang, making it harder for the body to fully digest the ingested food. As a result, indigestion may occur, and the undigested food can transform into dampness, which is retained in the body. Dampness can manifest as symptoms such as bloating, lethargy, and discomfort.

• Heavy, rich, sugary foods, and dairy products: 

These types of foods have the quality of dampness in TCM. Consuming them introduces dampness directly into the body, which can impede and slow down the digestive process. Over time, this can lead to indigestion and the formation of more dampness from other foods. This can create a vicious cycle, further compromising digestion.

• When the food is taken:

The timing of when we eat also plays a crucial role in digestion. Traditional Chinese Medicine, in particular, emphasizes the importance of meal timing based on the Body Clock theory, which divides the day into different time periods associated with specific organs and functions.

• Stomach and Spleen time:

According to this theory, 7 am to 9 am is considered the stomach time, and 9 am to 11 am is the spleen time. During these periods, the digestive organs are believed to be most active and efficient. When food is consumed at these times, it is transformed and assimilated most effectively. However, frequent skipping of breakfast or eating at less optimal times, such as late at night, can result in incomplete digestion. This, in turn, can lead to the retention of undigested food, which may transform into dampness and further impede the digestive system.

• How the food is taken

The way we eat also influences the digestive process. Poor eating habits can place a significant burden on the stomach and spleen, hindering their ability to digest food properly.

• Eating too quickly and insufficient chewing:

Rushing through meals and not chewing food adequately can overload the stomach and spleen. When this happens, digestion is slowed down and obstructed, leading to the retention of undigested food. Over time, this undigested food can transform into dampness, which is retained within the body.

• Overeating:

Consuming excessive amounts of food can lead to food stagnation, where the digestive system becomes overwhelmed and does not function properly. Food stagnation can result in symptoms such as foul belching, sour regurgitation, distention, bloating, pain in the epigastrium and abdomen, loss of appetite, vomiting, and diarrhea. This condition is often related to the body’s inability to process excessive food intake.

• Emotions

Emotions play a significant role in digestion, according to Traditional Chinese Medicine. Emotions are considered to be a form of energy in motion, and TCM acknowledges their impact on health. Each main organ system in TCM is associated with specific emotions that it can express. When the organs are in balance, we experience emotions but do not hold onto them. However, when an organ is imbalanced or unwell, we may experience the associated emotions more intensely and for longer periods.

In the case of digestion, the stomach and spleen are closely associated with the emotions of worry and pensiveness. When an individual is in a constant state of worry and overthinking, it can weaken the energy of the stomach and spleen. The energy that should be used for digestion is diverted towards fueling these emotional responses instead. Consequently, this diversion of energy can lead to poor digestion.

• Sleep

Sleep is a vital component of overall health, and it significantly affects digestion. When we sleep, our bodies undergo processes of repair and rejuvenation, including the nourishment of internal organs. If sleep is disrupted or inadequate, all organ systems, including the digestive system, can be adversely affected.

The stomach and spleen, in particular, are sensitive to sleep patterns. Usually, poor or insufficient sleep can result in fatigue and weaken these organs. Even poor digestion can become significant when sleep is compromised.

• Stress

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, stress is recognized as a disruptor of qi (energy) flow and circulation within the body. When stress levels are high, qi and blood circulation can become impaired, affecting the optimal functioning of all organ systems. Stress can particularly impact the stomach and spleen, leading to weakened digestion.

Stress-induced poor circulation can reduce the efficiency of nutrient absorption and weaken the digestive organs. This can result in symptoms such as bloating, discomfort, irregular bowel movements, and an overall reduction in digestive function.

How Dampness affects you and common illness 

In this part, we show you some common symptoms and illnesses of dampness to help you make your own diagnosis. However, dampness is not as simple as you thought, and you should know these to prepare and meet doctors for treatment.

Typical signs of Dampness

As we’ve discussed earlier, dampness has some unique characteristics, such as making you feel heavy and sluggish. Illnesses linked to dampness tend to share these traits:

• Feeling tired and gaining weight easily.
• Experiencing swelling or retaining water.
• Noticing swollen lymph nodes.
• Struggling with thick and sticky poops
• Dealing with stomach bloating.
• Feeling chest tightness due to energy blockages.
• Having a reduced appetite.
• Observing a tongue with a thick or greasy coating
• Detecting a slippery pulse, a clear sign of dampness

Common illness by Dampness

From these reasons and symptoms, here are some kinds of illnesses because of dampness you should know to prevent and treatment

• Obesity: This is a situation of being very overweight, often due to excess body fat.
• High cholesterol: When you have too much fatty substance in your blood, which can lead to heart problems.
• Diabetes: A condition where your body struggles to control blood sugar levels.
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS): A digestive disorder causing stomach pain, bloating, and bowel issues
• Depression: A mental health condition causing persistent sadness and low energy.
• Cancer and Tumors:  Abnormal cell growth that can be cancerous or non-cancerous.
• Metabolic Disorders: Problems with your body’s chemical processes, affecting how you use energy.
• Heart Disease: Conditions affecting the heart’s function, often due to clogged arteries.
• Cognitive Impairment: A decline in thinking abilities, like memory loss.
• Autoimmune Disorders: Conditions where your immune system attacks healthy cells.
• Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Feeling extremely tired for a long time with no clear cause.
• Fibromyalgia: A condition causing widespread pain, fatigue, and sleep issues.
• Allergies and Asthma: Allergic reactions and breathing problems triggered by certain substances.
• Eczema: A skin condition causing redness, itching, and rashes.
• Cysts and Fibroids: Non-cancerous growths in or on the body.

• Brain Dysfunction: Problems with brain function, affecting thinking and behavior.
• Cholesterol Deposits: Fatty patches around the eyes, often appearing white or dark and rough.
• Seborrheic Keratoses: Non-cancerous skin growths, usually brown or black, with a waxy texture.

Traditional Chinese Medicine and Western Science in Treating Dampness   

For a long time, people treated dampness with TCM as the only way. However, in the constantly changing field of healthcare, old methods, and new science discoveries have come together in a very interesting way. We’ll look into the interesting interaction between TCM and Western science, showing how these two ways of thinking can work together to solve health problems related to dampness.

Treatment Dampness by Traditional Chinese Medicine

There are some ways according to Traditional Chinese Medicine that are really effective and popular nowadays. Many TCM practitioners use them for therapy and here is the list

• Holistic assessment 

TCM practitioners look at dampness from a wide range of aspects. This includes more than just the physical symptoms. It also includes things like mental health, lifestyle decisions, and eating habits. For instance, if a patient comes in with digestive problems and signs of sadness, a TCM practitioner would look for links between these symptoms that don’t seem to go together.

• Chinese medicine (herbal)

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, there are many herbal treatments that are used to get rid of dampness. These medicines are picked out based on the signs and nature of each patient. 

These help by making you urinate more, causing you to sweat, and clearing away the dampness. This can also help with issues like swelling, digestive problems, and discomfort caused by dampness-related conditions. 

Some common herbs used for this purpose include Poria (Fu Ling), Ephedrae Herba, Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium, Pinelliae Rhizoma, Descurainiae Semen, and Lepidii Semen, are thought to help the body control its wetness levels, which makes them better at dealing with dampness.

• Acupuncture

There are qualities in acupuncture points that can get rid of dampness in the body. A classic acupoint that is used to treat dampness is ST36, also known as Zu San Li. It works to support the spleen and stomach and moves damp heat and wind around the body. 

In scientific terms, acupuncture can slow down the sympathetic nervous system and speed up the parasympathetic nervous system. In other words, it tells the body to heal and rest. In this way, it makes digestion stronger. This will naturally get rid of the dampness in the form of substances in the body that are not digested and are not needed. 

• Sauna and Cupping

Saunas can be considered a way to reduce dampness in your body. However, you should visit a low-heat sauna to gently produce sweat. Because, the high temperature in saunas creates heavy sweating, it can be damaging to the body’s yin. So you should take it carefully and not overuse 

Moreover, when mentioned cupping, you should know about its benefits. Cupping treatment can get rid of cold and dampness, open the meridians, break up blockages, help the flow of qi and blood, lower pain and swelling, help the body detoxify, restore balance to yin and yang, ease fatigue, and improve its function.

Dampness Western treatment

While TCM offers useful insights into the management of dampness, Western science provides an additional viewpoint

• Bacteria research

New studies have shown how important the gut bacteria is for digestion and health in general. Gut bacteria that are out of balance can make symptoms linked to dampness worse. For example, having too many of certain microbes can cause bloating, gas, and diarrhea, which are all typical signs of being damp. As a result, Western science is looking into how to fix these imbalances with probiotics, changes to the food, and therapies that target the microbiome.

• Inflammation and Immune response

Conditions that are caused by moisture often have inflammation and problems with the immune system. Western science goes into great detail to figure out how inflammation works and how the immune system reacts to it. This information helps scientists make anti-inflammatory drugs and medicines that change the immune system to help people who are suffering from symptoms linked to dampness.

• Diagnostic tools

Imaging methods and blood tests are some of the more advanced diagnostic tools that Western doctors use to get a clear picture of how bad the damage is caused by dampness. For example, when joints hurt because of being damp, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans can show that the joints are inflamed and have a lot of fluid buildup in them. Doctors and nurses can use these testing tools to make sure that each patient gets the best care possible.

The combination of TCM and modern Western medicine

When it comes to treating diseases caused by dampness, the real strength lies in how well TCM and Western science work together. When TCM practitioners and Western medical workers work together, they can make a treatment plan that is more holistic and complete.

• Combining herbal medicine with pills based on evidence

Combining TCM plant remedies with supplements backed by science can provide a complete way to deal with dampness. For instance, a person who has digestive problems because of dampness might get TCM herbal formulas along with probiotics that have been shown to work to restore gut health.

• Dietary guidance

When TCM dietary principles are combined with Western nutritional information, patients are better able to make decisions. People who have conditions related to dampness can learn to spot and avoid foods that make them feel worse, like dairy products and greasy, fried foods, while still following Western dietary guidelines for healthy nutrition.

• Mind-Body techniques

Emotional health is a big part of conditions related to dampness, and these conditions are often linked to worry and stress. Using evidence-based psychological therapies along with TCM techniques like acupuncture and mindfulness meditation gives people a complete way to take care of their emotional health and deal with dampness.

6. Some ways to keep your body from Dampness

Dampness can lead to a variety of health issues, from digestive discomfort to joint problems. Fortunately, there are effective ways to prevent dampness from taking hold in your body. Now, we’ll explore some simple yet powerful strategies to keep your body healthy.

• Mind Your Diet

The foods you consume play a crucial role in preventing dampness. To keep dampness at bay, consider these dietary tips:

• Avoid Excessive Sugar and Dairy

Foods high in sugar and dairy products can contribute to dampness. Reducing your intake of sugary treats and moderating dairy consumption can help maintain balance.

• Warm, Cooked Foods

In TCM, raw and cold foods are believed to promote dampness. Choosing warm, cooked meals can support healthy digestion and prevent dampness accumulation.

• Incorporate Dampness-Fighting Herbs

Some herbs, such as ginger, garlic, and turmeric, have dampness-dispelling properties. Including them in your cooking can be a flavorful way to promote balance.

• Stay Active

Regular physical activity is essential for preventing dampness. Exercise helps promote circulation, dispel stagnation, and keep your body’s energy flowing smoothly. Activities like brisk walking, yoga, and tai chi are excellent choices to help prevent dampness.

• Manage Stress

Stress can weaken your body’s ability to maintain balance and can contribute to dampness-related issues. Incorporate stress-management techniques such as meditation, deep breathing exercises, or mindfulness practices into your daily routine.

• Maintain Proper Hygiene

Good hygiene practices are vital for preventing external dampness. Ensure you stay dry after bathing, swimming, or exposure to rain. Change into dry clothes promptly and avoid staying in wet or humid environments for extended periods.

• Keep Your Environment Dry

Your living environment can also influence dampness. Use dehumidifiers if necessary to control indoor humidity levels. Adequate ventilation and sunlight exposure can help keep dampness at bay.

• Stay Hydrated

Paradoxically, staying properly hydrated can help prevent dampness. Drinking enough water supports the body’s natural detoxification processes and helps flush out excess moisture.

• Consult with a TCM Practitioner

If you suspect dampness-related symptoms or have a history of dampness-related conditions, consulting a TCM practitioner can provide valuable insights. They can offer personalized recommendations and treatments tailored to your unique constitution and health needs.

Conclusion

Preventing dampness in your body is essential for maintaining overall health and well-being. By paying attention to your diet, staying active, managing stress, maintaining good hygiene, controlling your environment, and staying adequately hydrated, you can significantly reduce the risk of dampness-related issues. Remember that balance is key, and consulting with a healthcare professional, such as a TCM practitioner, can be invaluable in your journey to a dampness-free, healthy life.