We often hear and see reports about "dampness", which can cause various health risks if not eliminated from the body. Dampness can turn into damp-heat when exposed to heat, damp-cold when exposed to cold, and damp-wind when exposed to wind. How can we determine if there is dampness in the body, and how can we remove it?
The signs of dampness in the body usually include: enlarged pores, oily face; thick tongue coating; fatigue; sticky and difficult-to-flush stool; obesity, especially a large belly.
Among the six pathogenic factors of "wind, cold, heat, dampness, dryness, and fire", dampness is the most harmful. Incorrect habits can also allow dampness to invade the body and harm our health. Therefore, it is recommended to avoid the following bad habits.
What are the causes of dampness in the body?
One is an unreasonable diet structure, consuming too much high-calorie food, skipping breakfast, and eating too much for dinner.
The second is lack of exercise, sitting in front of a computer desk for long periods of time.
The third is lack of exposure to the natural environment, such as excessive air conditioning in summer, which prevents the normal flow and metabolism of sweat and accumulates it in the body.
These 6 bad habits worsen dampness in the body: heavy taste preference, lack of sleep, love for cold foods, excessive alcohol consumption, prolonged sitting, and lack of exercise.
Dampness removal is a process, and to remove the dampness from the body, we need to address it from multiple aspects.
During this season, there is a large temperature difference between morning and evening. At this time, the sun is strong and the ground is damp, resulting in the combination of dampness and heat. The Yellow Emperor's Inner Classic states that "dampness flows through the spleen". The spleen dislikes dampness and stagnation of dampness is most likely to affect the spleen.
Massaging the acupoints of Fenglong, Zusanli, and Piyu can strengthen the spleen and stomach. Among them, Fenglong acupoint is an important point for eliminating dampness; Piyu acupoint can invigorate the spleen and stomach; and Zusanli acupoint can tonify the middle energizer, promote meridian circulation. Massaging these 3 acupoints 100 times each day is also a good way to remove dampness and nourish the spleen and stomach.
Exercise moderately
Most people with heavy dampness in the body are caused by an unhealthy diet or lack of exercise. The accumulation of dampness in the body makes people feel heavy and weak, and they are even less inclined to exercise. Therefore, moderate exercise can not only relieve stress but also promote the metabolism of body organs and accelerate the elimination of dampness.
Diet therapy for removing dampness
Onions, ginger, garlic, etc. are not only good seasonings but also have powerful medicinal value. To remove dampness from the body, these ingredients can be added to daily meals. Red bean and coix seed porridge can also be brewed, and long-term consumption can effectively achieve the goal of removing dampness.
Living in a damp and cold environment for a long time makes it easy for dampness to invade the body. In daily life, it is important to keep clothing dry, bask in the sun regularly, avoid wearing damp clothes, and avoid sleeping with wet hair, etc.
Cupping therapy for removing dampness
In addition to diet therapy, cupping therapy in traditional Chinese medicine is also a good choice for removing dampness. Cupping can promote blood circulation, expel cold and dampness, and unblock meridians, thereby eliminating fatigue and enhancing physical fitness.
