What is the best combination for Rhizoma Smilacis Glabrae to remove dampness?

Generally speaking, there is no definitive best combination for Smilax glabra (Tu Fuling) to remove dampness. Tu Fuling can be combined with honey, Lycium barbarum (Gou Qi Zi), ginger, coix seed (Yi Yi Ren), sea cucumber, and other ingredients to help eliminate dampness. Detailed explanations are as follows:

1. Honey

Honey has functions of moistening the lungs, relieving cough, detoxifying, and nourishing the complexion. When combined with Tu Fuling, it can moderate the herb's medicinal properties, making it easier to absorb. The natural sweetness of honey can also improve the taste of Tu Fuling.

2. Lycium barbarum (Gou Qi Zi)

Lycium barbarum contains abundant antioxidant components. When combined with Tu Fuling, it not only nourishes the liver and kidneys and improves vision, but also enhances Tu Fuling's effect in removing dampness. Together, they may also help delay aging and improve visual acuity.

3. Ginger

Ginger helps resolve phlegm, dispel cold, relieve nausea, and stop vomiting. When used with Tu Fuling, it further strengthens the spleen and stomach, promotes diuresis, and helps eliminate dampness. This combination is particularly suitable for individuals experiencing symptoms such as phlegm accumulation, cough with asthma, vomiting, or edema.

4. Coix Seed (Yi Yi Ren)

Coix seed has functions of promoting diuresis to reduce edema and strengthening the spleen to benefit the stomach. When combined with Tu Fuling, it enhances the effect of removing dampness and is particularly suitable for those with excessive internal dampness or prone to edema. Together, they may also help improve skin conditions and alleviate joint pain.

5. Cinnamon Twig (Gui Zhi)

Cinnamon twig has effects of inducing perspiration, relaxing the muscles, assisting yang energy, and transforming fluid. When combined with Tu Fuling, it can warm yang to resolve dampness and promote blood circulation to remove blood stasis, thereby aiding in eliminating dampness. This combination is suitable for individuals experiencing joint pain, heaviness in the limbs, or network vessel blockage caused by blood stasis due to cold-damp conditions.

In daily life, Tu Fuling offers multiple health benefits, but it is recommended to use it in moderation. Those allergic to it should avoid its use.