Can Gua Sha remove dampness from the body?

Aug 08, 2025 Source: Cainiu Health

Dr. Sun Lianqing

Introduction

In general, Gua Sha has a certain effect on removing dampness, but the effectiveness varies from person to person and requires proper technique. For individuals with excessive dampness, in addition to Gua Sha, dietary adjustments can also be beneficial, such as reducing consumption of raw and cold foods and increasing intake of foods that strengthen the spleen and help eliminate dampness. In daily life, maintaining regular作息 (作息 translates to作息 habits or作息 routines, which can be rendered as作息 habits or daily routines) and moderate exercise are more conducive to maintaining the body's yin-yang balance and reducing dampness accumulation.

Generally speaking, Gua Sha (scraping therapy) can help remove dampness to some extent, but its effectiveness varies from person to person and must be performed correctly. Detailed analysis is as follows:

From the perspective of traditional Chinese medicine theory, Gua Sha stimulates the skin and meridians, promoting the circulation of Qi and blood and helping eliminate dampness from the body. It is especially suitable for cases involving external contraction of dampness or obstruction of meridians by dampness. The petechiae appearing on the skin after Gua Sha, to some extent, reflect the process of eliminating internal dampness. However, if internal dampness originates from long-term spleen and stomach weakness, simple Gua Sha may not completely resolve it, and regulating the spleen and stomach should also be incorporated. Additionally, excessive scraping may damage the skin and negatively affect the body condition. Proper pressure should be applied during Gua Sha, avoiding skin injuries, and should not be performed when the person is excessively hungry or full.

For individuals with excessive dampness, dietary regulation can also be combined besides Gua Sha, such as reducing intake of raw and cold foods and consuming more foods that strengthen the spleen and resolve dampness. In daily life, maintaining regular sleeping patterns and moderate exercise helps maintain the body's Yin-Yang balance and reduce accumulation of dampness.

View All

What is the best and fastest medicine for removing dampness?

Generally speaking, there is no such thing as "what medicine is best and fastest for removing dampness." If you wish to eliminate dampness, medications such as Huoxiang Zhengqi Shui (Agastache fortunei liquid), Shenling Baizhu San (Codonopsis and Atractylodes powder), Pingwei San (Regulating Stomach Powder), Wuling San (Poria and泽泻 Powder), and Er Miao Wan (Two Marvels Pills) may be taken under a doctor's guidance. Eliminating dampness requires syndrome differentiation to select appropriate medications, as different syndromes call for different treatments. Blindly taking medicine may worsen the condition. It is recommended to use these medicines under the guidance of a TCM practitioner.

View Full Answer

What are the functions and effects of Gentiana scabra (Dragon胆草)?

Under normal circumstances, the main functions and effects of Gentiana (Long Dan Cao) include clearing heat and removing dampness, purging fire from the liver and gallbladder, relieving bitter taste in the mouth, improving red eyes, and assisting in reducing jaundice. Gentiana is usually administered by oral intake of decoction, and the dosage should be controlled according to a physician's instructions. Due to its cold nature and bitter taste, it is contraindicated for individuals with spleen-stomach deficiency cold or without excess heat and dampness, to avoid damaging the spleen-stomach yang qi and causing discomfort such as abdominal pain and diarrhea.

View Full Answer

What foods help remove dampness?

Under normal circumstances, consuming foods such as Poria (Fu Ling), red adzuki beans (Chi Xiao Dou), Gorgon fruit (Qian Shi), winter melon peel (Dong Gua Pi), and stir-fried hyacinth bean (Chao Bian Dou) may help remove dampness from the body. If you have a need to eliminate dampness, it is recommended to conduct dietary adjustments under the guidance of a healthcare professional. In daily life, in addition to dietary regulation, you can also appropriately increase physical exercise, such as jogging or practicing Tai Chi, to promote blood circulation and assist in expelling dampness from the body.

View Full Answer

How to Remove Dampness, What Are the Most Effective Methods

Consuming more ingredients that strengthen the spleen and resolve dampness, such as coix seed, red beans, poria, winter melon, and Chinese yam, can be beneficial. These ingredients can be prepared as porridge or soup. At the same time, avoid raw, cold, sweet, greasy, and fatty foods to reduce the burden on the spleen and stomach, thus addressing the root cause of dampness formation internally. Consistently engage in moderate-intensity exercises, such as brisk walking, jogging, swimming, and rope skipping.