How to Remove Dampness
Aug 11, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Sun Lianqing
Introduction
In general, the main methods for removing dampness include dietary regulation, moderate exercise, environmental improvement, auxiliary treatment with traditional Chinese medicine, and promoting the circulation of meridians. If excessive dampness is present in the body, these methods may be tried under a doctor's guidance for improvement. When managing dampness, it is important to choose suitable methods according to your own specific condition and avoid blindly following trends.
Generally, the main methods for removing dampness include dietary regulation, moderate exercise, environmental improvement, auxiliary treatment with traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), and meridian unblocking. If internal dampness is evident, one may attempt these approaches under a doctor's guidance to improve the condition. Detailed explanations are as follows:
1. Dietary Regulation
Reduce consumption of raw, cold, greasy, and sweet foods, as these can hinder the spleen's transformation and transportation functions, leading to dampness accumulation. Increase intake of spleen-strengthening foods such as Chinese yam, lotus seeds, and gorgon fruit, as well as heat-clearing and dampness-resolving foods like mung beans and wax gourd. Enhancing spleen function through diet helps promote the natural metabolism of dampness. During cooking, appropriate amounts of warming seasonings such as ginger and Sichuan pepper can be added to neutralize the cold properties of food.
2. Moderate Exercise
Select activities such as swimming, rope skipping, or Tai Chi. Heat generated during exercise and subsequent perspiration help expel dampness through sweat. Additionally, exercise activates blood circulation, enhances organ function, and reduces the conditions conducive to dampness formation. Beginners should start with low-intensity workouts, gradually increasing intensity to avoid excessive fatigue.
3. Environmental Improvement
Avoid prolonged exposure to damp and cold environments, such as basements or rainy outdoor conditions. Maintain indoor ventilation, regularly air bedding, and use dehumidifying equipment during rainy seasons to lower air humidity. Wear breathable, sweat-absorbing clothing and change promptly after sweating to prevent dampness from entering the body through the skin.
4. TCM Assistance
Under a doctor's guidance, use dampness-resolving TCM herbs such as Poria (Fuling), Atractylodes (Baizhu), and Agastache (Huoxiang), which can be decocted as herbal tea or prepared as medicinal dishes. These herbs help regulate the body's fluid balance by strengthening the spleen, drying dampness, promoting diuresis, and resolving dampness. It is important to note that TCM should be used according to syndrome differentiation and not taken arbitrarily without professional advice.
5. Meridian Unblocking
Techniques such as cupping and Gua Sha can be used to unblock meridians, especially the bladder meridian and Du Meridian on the back, promoting blood circulation and accelerating dampness removal. The negative pressure created during cupping draws dampness out from the body surface, while Gua Sha stimulates meridians and acupoints to enhance organ metabolism. These procedures should be performed by trained professionals to avoid skin damage caused by improper operation.
When addressing dampness, it is essential to choose suitable methods based on individual conditions rather than blindly following trends. If discomfort occurs during the process, stop immediately and consult a healthcare professional. Moreover, eliminating dampness takes time; patience and long-term adherence to a healthy lifestyle are necessary to achieve optimal results.
