The accumulation of dampness and heat in the liver and gallbladder leads to abnormal liver and gallbladder function, resulting in a series of symptoms such as body heat, yellowing of the skin and eyes, yellow urine, bitter taste in the mouth, abdominal pain, bloating, and loose stools. So how does damp-heat in the liver and gallbladder occur?
Acquiring damp-heat pathogen
External invasion of damp-heat pathogen causes the pathogenic qi to enter the body, accumulating dampness in the liver and gallbladder. The accumulation of internal dampness leads to the generation of pathogenic heat, causing dysfunction in the liver and gallbladder's ability to discharge, resulting in damp-heat in the liver and gallbladder.
Acquiring cold-damp pathogen
External invasion of cold-damp pathogen occurs when the body's yang qi is strong, allowing the cold-dampness to enter the body. Under the influence of the body's yang qi, the cold-dampness transforms into damp-heat. This damp-heat accumulates in the liver and gallbladder, causing dysfunction in their ability to discharge and leading to damp-heat in the liver and gallbladder.
Dysfunction in spleen and stomach digestion
Weak spleen and stomach function or spleen and stomach deficiency-cold can result in impaired digestion and transportation functions, leading to the accumulation of undigested food. This undigested food transforms into dampness and heat, which accumulates in the liver and gallbladder, causing damp-heat in the liver and gallbladder.
Indulging in fatty and greasy food
Long-term excessive alcohol consumption or overconsumption of fatty and greasy food can lead to the generation of damp turbidity, which transforms into heat under stagnation. This damp-heat steams and impairs the normal function of the liver and gallbladder, resulting in damp-heat in the liver and gallbladder.
Post-illness recurrence
After liver and gallbladder diseases, blood stasis and stagnation of damp-heat can damage the liver and spleen over time, leading to damp-heat in the liver and gallbladder.
Diet therapy for damp-heat in the liver and gallbladder
Cold-dressed Polygonum chinense
Ingredients: 200g of Polygonum chinense.
Method: Wash the Polygonum chinense, blanch it in boiling water, remove it and rinse it with clean water, squeeze out the water, chop it, and put it in a plate. Add salt, monosodium glutamate, sugar, and sesame oil, mix well.
Efficacy: Polygonum chinense can eliminate dampness and reduce yellowing. Cold-dressed Polygonum chinense is suitable for damp-heat in the liver and gallbladder.
Moneywort porridge
Ingredients: 60g of fresh moneywort, 50g of glutinous rice, and an appropriate amount of rock sugar.
Method: Wash the moneywort, decoct it in water, then wash the glutinous rice, pour it into the moneywort decoction, and simmer it into porridge. When the porridge is cooked, add an appropriate amount of rock sugar according to taste.
Efficacy: Moneywort can clear heat, remove dampness, and improve gallbladder function. Moneywort porridge is suitable for damp-heat in the liver and gallbladder.
Dandelion and corn silk tea
Ingredients: 60g of dandelion, 60g of corn silk.
Method: Wash the dandelion and corn silk, add an appropriate amount of water, bring to a boil over high heat, then simmer over low heat for half an hour, remove the residue and take the juice, and drink it as tea.
Efficacy: Both dandelion and corn silk can clear dampness and heat. Therefore, dandelion and corn silk tea is suitable for damp-heat in the liver and gallbladder.
