How to Remove Dampness During the Dog Days of Summer
Aug 21, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Sun Lianqing
Introduction
Under normal circumstances, methods to eliminate dampness during the dog days of summer may include moxibustion at the Guanyuan acupoint, drinking red bean and coix seed water, persisting in brisk walking exercises, soaking feet with Agastache, and consuming winter melon and kelp soup. Additionally, during the dog days of summer, one should also avoid staying in damp environments for prolonged periods and refrain from excessive consumption of raw and cold foods such as ice drinks and ice cream, to prevent exacerbating internal dampness.
Generally, during the dog days of summer, methods to eliminate dampness include moxibustion at the Guanyuan acupoint, drinking adzuki bean and coix seed water, persisting in brisk walking, using Agastache for foot soaking, and consuming winter melon and kelp soup. Detailed explanations are as follows:
1. Moxibustion at the Guanyuan Acupoint
The Guanyuan acupoint is located in the lower abdomen. Applying moxibustion to this point through warm stimulation can promote blood circulation, enhance the function of the spleen and stomach in transforming and transporting fluids, and help expel dampness from the body. During the dog days, when yang energy is abundant, moxibustion can utilize external yang energy to enhance the effectiveness of removing dampness.
2. Drinking Adzuki Bean and Coix Seed Water
Adzuki beans strengthen the spleen, remove dampness, and reduce swelling, while coix seed promotes diuresis, removes dampness, strengthens the spleen, and stops diarrhea. When cooked together and consumed as a beverage, they promote the transformation and transportation of dampness through strengthening the spleen, allowing excess moisture in the body to be excreted through urine. This is suitable for individuals with a damp-heat constitution during the dog days.
3. Persisting in Brisk Walking
Brisk walking is an aerobic exercise that accelerates bodily metabolism and promotes sweat secretion. During perspiration, some dampness can be expelled from the body. Appropriate exercise during the dog days can also enhance the function of the spleen and stomach, thereby fundamentally reducing the formation of dampness.
4. Using Agastache for Foot Soaking
Agastache has the effects of resolving dampness with its aromatic properties and harmonizing the middle jiao to stop vomiting. Using Agastache boiled water for foot soaking allows its active components to be absorbed through the skin on the feet, helping to resolve internal dampness while promoting blood circulation in the feet and alleviating discomfort such as fatigue and drowsiness caused by excessive dampness.
5. Consuming Winter Melon and Kelp Soup
Winter melon clears heat, promotes diuresis, and reduces swelling, while kelp softens hardness, disperses nodules, promotes diuresis, and reduces swelling. When cooked together as a soup, it can facilitate the elimination of dampness from the body through dietary therapy. Its mild taste makes it suitable for replenishing fluids and nutrients during the dog days while also addressing dampness removal.
In addition, during the dog days, one should avoid staying in damp environments for prolonged periods and refrain from consuming excessive cold foods such as ice drinks and ice cream, which may worsen internal dampness. Keeping indoor areas well-ventilated and dry also helps reduce dampness infiltration.
