How to Lose Weight with Dampness-Induced Obesity
Aug 18, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Sun Lianqing
Introduction
Dampness-induced obesity can generally be reduced through methods such as consuming meals that help remove dampness and reduce fat, consistently engaging in aerobic exercise, applying moxibustion on acupoints to eliminate dampness, adjusting作息 (daily routines) to decrease dampness production, and drinking herbal teas that help dispel dampness. Activities like brisk walking, swimming, and rope jumping, performed 3–5 times per week for at least 30 minutes each session, are recommended. Exercise accelerates bodily metabolism, promotes sweat excretion, aids in removing dampness, and helps burn excess calories.
Generally, weight loss for dampness-induced obesity can be achieved through methods such as consuming meals that reduce dampness and fat, engaging in regular aerobic exercise, applying moxibustion on acupoints for dampness removal, adjusting daily routines to reduce dampness formation, and drinking herbal teas that help eliminate dampness. Detailed explanations are as follows:
1. Consuming Dampness-Reducing and Fat-Losing Meals: Choose ingredients that both remove dampness and are low in calories, such as wax gourd, coix seed, and red adzuki beans, combined with chicken breast meat and vegetables to prepare meals. These foods can promote the elimination of internal dampness while reducing calorie intake, preventing fat accumulation. Long-term adherence can aid in weight loss.
2. Practicing Regular Aerobic Exercise: Activities such as brisk walking, swimming, and rope jumping, performed 3-5 times weekly for more than 30 minutes each session. Exercise accelerates metabolism, promotes sweating, helps expel dampness, and consumes excess calories, reducing fat accumulation. It is an effective weight-loss method for individuals with dampness-induced obesity.
3. Applying Moxibustion on Dampness-Relieving Acupoints: Perform moxibustion on acupoints such as Guanyuan (CV4), Zusanli (ST36), and Yinlingquan (SP9). Moxibustion stimulates these points with warmth, enhancing spleen and stomach function, promoting dampness transformation, improving slow metabolism caused by dampness stagnation, and assisting weight loss. This should be conducted under the guidance of a professional.
4. Adjusting Daily Routines to Reduce Dampness Formation: Maintain a regular schedule and avoid staying up late, aiming to be asleep before 11 PM. Late nights can impair metabolism and spleen/stomach function, worsening dampness accumulation. A consistent routine helps maintain normal bodily functions, reduces dampness formation, and creates favorable conditions for weight loss.
5. Drinking Dampness-Removing Herbal Teas: Prepare teas using ingredients such as Poria (Fuling), Tangerine Peel (Chenpi), and Lotus Leaf (Heye), using the decoction as a substitute for regular tea. These ingredients strengthen the spleen, remove dampness, enhance metabolism, help eliminate excess water and dampness from the body, and reduce bloating caused by dampness. They are suitable for daily consumption as an adjunct to weight management.
Individuals with dampness-induced obesity should simultaneously focus on dampness removal and fat loss. During this process, consumption of raw, cold, and sweet foods should be avoided, as they may exacerbate dampness. Maintaining a positive mindset and avoiding impatience is important. If no significant weight change occurs after a period of time or if noticeable discomfort arises, professional consultation should be sought promptly to adjust the plan.
