What medication should be taken for excessive dampness in the body?

Generally, excessive dampness in the body is often caused by dysfunction of the spleen and stomach in transforming and transporting fluids, leading to internal accumulation of dampness. Common symptoms include a heavy feeling in the body, thick and greasy tongue coating, abdominal distention with loose stools, and limb edema. Patients may take medications such as Huoxiang Zhengqi Water, Shenling Baizhu Pills, Pingwei Pills, Xiangsha Yangwei Pills, and Wuling Powder under the guidance of a physician. Detailed explanations are as follows:

1. Huoxiang Zhengqi Water

Huoxiang Zhengqi Water is a clear, dark brown liquid made from herbs including Atractylodes, Tangerine Peel, and Magnolia Bark. It functions to resolve exterior syndromes, transform dampness, regulate qi, and harmonize the middle jiao. It is suitable for colds caused by external contraction of wind-cold with internal stagnation of dampness or summerheat-dampness. It can relieve symptoms caused by excessive dampness, such as heavy-headed headache, chest and epigastric oppression, and abdominal pain with distension.

2. Shenling Baizhu Pills

Shenling Baizhu Pills are yellow to yellowish brown water pills containing ingredients such as Ginseng, Poria, and Atractylodes. They can strengthen the spleen and stomach, and benefit lung qi. They are commonly used to treat spleen and stomach weakness, reduced appetite with loose stools, shortness of breath with coughing, and fatigue. By enhancing the function of the spleen and stomach, they promote the elimination of dampness and improve discomfort caused by excessive dampness.

3. Pingwei Pills

Pingwei Pills are brownish yellow water pills composed of Atractylodes, Magnolia Bark, Tangerine Peel, and other herbs. They dry dampness, strengthen the spleen, relieve chest and abdominal distension. They are suitable for poor appetite, epigastric fullness, nausea, vomiting, acid regurgitation, and belching caused by excessive dampness in the spleen and stomach. They effectively remove dampness from the spleen and stomach and harmonize their function.

4. Xiangsha Yangwei Pills

Xiangsha Yangwei Pills are black water pills that appear brownish after removing the coating. They contain Costus Root, Amomum, Atractylodes, and other ingredients. They warm the middle jiao and harmonize the stomach. They are effective for stomach pain and epigastric fullness caused by dampness obstructing and qi stagnation, manifesting as dull stomach pain, epigastric stuffiness and discomfort, and vomiting of sour water. They can alleviate discomfort caused by dampness obstructing the spleen and stomach.

5. Wuling Powder

Wuling Powder is a light yellow powder made from Poria, Alisma, Polyporus, and other herbs. It warms yang to transform qi and promotes diuresis to eliminate dampness. It is used for edema caused by yang deficiency failing to transform qi and internal accumulation of dampness, manifesting as difficult urination, edema, abdominal distension, vomiting, and diarrhea. It promotes the metabolism of dampness in the body and alleviates symptoms of excessive dampness.

In daily life, it is important to develop good habits, avoid long-term exposure to damp environments, and limit consumption of sweet, greasy, raw, and cold foods, such as cakes and ice cream, to prevent exacerbating internal dampness.