Can boiling Chinese chives in water help reduce dampness in the body?

Generally speaking, boiling Chinese chives (garlic chives) in water cannot reduce dampness in the body; even with moderate consumption, it is difficult to achieve a dampness-resolving effect. The detailed explanation is as follows:

Chinese chives are warm in nature and mainly function to warm the middle jiao (digestive system), stimulate appetite, regulate qi, and promote blood circulation, but they do not have the effect of removing dampness. From the perspective of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), dampness in the body typically arises from weakened digestive function of the spleen and stomach or invasion of external damp pathogens. It needs to be regulated through methods such as strengthening the spleen, promoting diuresis, and seeping dampness. Drinking water boiled with Chinese chives cannot achieve these effects and has no significant impact on internal dampness after consumption.

If internal dampness is severe, manifesting as symptoms like bodily heaviness, thick greasy tongue coating, and sticky bowel movements, simply drinking Chinese chive water will not improve the condition. At this point, ingredients with dampness-resolving properties, such as coix seed, red beans, and winter melon, should be selected, or methods like exercising to induce perspiration and moxibustion can be used for regulation. Boiling Chinese chives in water is not considered an effective method, and excessive reliance on it may delay proper dampness-regulating treatments.

In daily life, reducing internal dampness should start with dietary and lifestyle adjustments. Eating more light and easily digestible foods, avoiding raw, cold, and greasy foods that burden the spleen and stomach, maintaining regular sleep patterns, engaging in appropriate physical activity to promote sweating, and keeping the living environment dry and well-ventilated are all essential for effectively managing internal dampness issues.