What causes excessive dampness in the body?

Generally, excess dampness in the body may be caused by climatic factors, dietary habits, spleen and stomach weakness, kidney yang deficiency, or damp-heat in the liver meridian. Treatment should be tailored to the specific situation.

1. Climatic factors: Living in a humid environment with high air humidity can easily lead to excessive internal dampness. It is advisable to maintain indoor ventilation and dryness, use dehumidifiers to lower indoor humidity, and get more sun exposure to promote the elimination of dampness.

2. Dietary habits: Long-term consumption of greasy, sweet, or cold foods can impair the spleen and stomach, leading to internal generation of dampness. It is recommended to adjust the diet, consuming more light and easily digestible foods such as vegetables, fruits, and whole grains.

3. Weakness of the spleen and stomach: The spleen and stomach are fundamental to postnatal health and are responsible for transforming and transporting bodily fluids. When the spleen and stomach are weak, their transforming and transporting functions are weakened, and dampness can accumulate in the body. It is recommended to consult a physician for guidance on massaging or applying moxibustion to acupoints such as Guanyuan (CV4) and Zusanli (ST36), which can help warm the meridians, dispel cold, remove dampness, and strengthen the spleen.

4. Kidney yang deficiency: The kidneys govern water metabolism. When kidney yang is deficient, water metabolism becomes abnormal, leading to accumulation of dampness in the body. It is recommended to consult a TCM practitioner for treatment using herbs such as Aconite (Fuzi), Cinnamon bark (Rougui), and Horny Goat Weed (Yinyanghuo).

5. Damp-heat in the liver meridian: Damp-heat in the liver meridian descending along the meridian can also lead to excessive dampness. When damp-heat affects the meridians, it obstructs the flow of qi and impairs water metabolism, causing dampness to accumulate in the body. It is recommended to consult a TCM practitioner for treatment using herbs such as Gentiana (Longdancao), Scutellaria (Huangqin), and Gardenia (Zhi zi).

Daily habits should be adjusted to maintain a balanced diet and increase physical activity, such as walking or brisk walking, to promote normal metabolism and fluid balance in the body.