How to manage cold body constitution and excessive dampness
Aug 15, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Sun Lianqing
Introduction
Under normal circumstances, cold body constitution and excessive dampness can generally be managed through dietary regulation, moderate exercise, environmental improvements, moxibustion or heat application, and Chinese herbal medicine. Applying moxibustion to acupuncture points such as Guanyuan (CV4), Zusanli (ST36), and Mingmen (GV4), or using a hot water bag to apply heat to the waist, abdomen, and feet can help stimulate the meridians, warm and supplement yang energy, and enhance the body's ability to expel cold and resolve dampness. This treatment can be performed 2–3 times per week.
Generally, cold body constitution and excessive dampness can be improved through dietary regulation, moderate exercise, environmental improvement, moxibustion or heat application, and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) regulation. If abnormalities occur, prompt medical attention is recommended. Detailed methods are as follows:
1. Dietary Regulation: Consume more warming foods such as ginger, lamb, and chives, while reducing intake of raw, cold, and cooling foods. Drinking red bean and coix seed soup can help dispel cold and promote the elimination of dampness through the warming properties of these foods.
2. Moderate Exercise: Choose activities such as brisk walking, jogging, or yoga. Exercise generates body heat, enhances circulation, promotes sweating, helps remove dampness, strengthens physical constitution, and improves poor blood circulation caused by cold body constitution.
3. Environmental Improvement: Avoid prolonged exposure to damp and cold environments. Keep living spaces well-ventilated and dry. Reduce outdoor activities during rainy weather and regularly air out bedding to minimize external dampness intrusion and alleviate symptoms of excessive dampness associated with cold body constitution.
4. Moxibustion and Heat Application: Apply moxibustion to acupoints such as Guanyuan (CV4), Zusanli (ST36), and Mingmen (GV4), or use a hot water bottle to apply heat to the waist, abdomen, and feet. This warm stimulation helps unblock meridians, nourish yang energy, and enhance the body's ability to dispel cold and eliminate dampness. This can be performed 2–3 times per week.
5. TCM Regulation: Under professional guidance, take Chinese patent medicines such as Fuzi LIZhong Wan or Guifu Dihuang Wan, or consume herbal decoctions containing ingredients like dried ginger, poria, and atractylodes. These remedies warm the body, dispel cold, strengthen the spleen, and promote diuresis to regulate body constitution internally.
Regulating cold body constitution and excessive dampness requires long-term persistence and should not be rushed. If discomfort occurs or symptoms fail to improve during the process, consult a professional promptly to adjust the treatment plan. Additionally, maintain regular sleep patterns, avoid staying up late, and keep emotions stable to enhance the effectiveness of the regulation.
