What are the best combinations for using Rhizoma Smilacis Glabrae to remove dampness?
Jan 21, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Yang Ziqi
Introduction
Under normal circumstances, there is no definitive best combination with Smilax glabra (Tu Fuling) for removing dampness. Generally, Smilax glabra can be combined with ingredients such as lotus seed embryos, tangerine peel, Euryale ferox seeds, Chinese yam, and coix seed to achieve a dampness-resolving effect. Individuals with a cold constitution or those suffering from spleen and stomach deficiency-cold should consume cold-natured foods, such as Smilax glabra and coix seed, with caution. Drinking water prepared by boiling coix seed together with Smilax glabra can enhance the effect of clearing heat and resolving dampness.
Generally speaking, there is no specific best combination with Smilax glabra (Tufuling) for removing dampness. However, Tufuling can typically be combined with ingredients such as lotus seed embryos, tangerine peel, Euryale ferox seeds (Qianshi), Chinese yam, and coix seed to achieve dampness-removing effects. Detailed explanations are as follows:
1. Lotus Seed Embryo: Although lotus seed embryo is bitter in taste, it can clear heart fire, calm the mind, consolidate kidney function, and stop abnormal vaginal discharge. When used together with Tufuling, it provides effective adjunctive treatment for symptoms such as irritability, insomnia, seminal emission, and spermatorrhea caused by excessive heart fire and kidney deficiency with dampness.
2. Tangerine Peel: Tangerine peel is warm in nature and pungent in taste, with functions of regulating qi to invigorate the spleen, drying dampness, and resolving phlegm. When combined with Tufuling, it enhances the spleen's transformation and transportation functions and facilitates the elimination of dampness from the body, especially suitable for individuals with spleen and stomach qi stagnation and indigestion.
3. Euryale Ferox Seed (Qianshi): Also known as Gorgon fruit, Qianshi is sweet in taste and neutral in nature, capable of strengthening the spleen to stop diarrhea and benefiting the kidneys to consolidate essence. When paired with Tufuling, it effectively regulates symptoms such as frequent urination and soreness and weakness of the knees caused by spleen deficiency with excessive dampness and kidney deficiency.
4. Chinese Yam: Chinese yam can strengthen the spleen and stomach, nourish the lungs by promoting body fluid production, and consolidate kidney function to reduce seminal discharge. When consumed together with Tufuling, it not only enhances gastrointestinal function and aids digestion and absorption but also further boosts immunity, making it suitable for individuals with weak spleen and stomach and those prone to fatigue.
5. Coix Seed: Coix seed has functions of strengthening the spleen to remove dampness, promoting diuresis to reduce edema, clearing heat, and detoxifying. When used together with Tufuling to prepare tea or congee, it enhances the effects of clearing heat and eliminating dampness, improving edema symptoms, particularly suitable for those with spleen deficiency and excessive dampness.
Individuals with cold body constitution or those suffering from cold syndromes of the spleen and stomach should consume cold-natured foods such as Tufuling and coix seed cautiously.
