What are the most effective medicines for removing dampness from the body?

Aug 22, 2025 Source: Cainiu Health

Dr. Sun Lianqing

Introduction

Generally speaking, there is no specific medication referred to as "the most effective medicines for removing dampness," but several commonly used herbal remedies for effectively eliminating dampness include Huoxiang Zhengqi Shui (Agastache Formula), Shenling Baizhu San (Ginseng-Poria-Coicis Combination), Wuling San (Poria and Polyporus Powder), Xiangsha Pingwei Granules (Fruit and Rhizome Combination Granules), and Xiangsha Liujun Wan (Ginseng, Poria, and Atractylodes Combination Pills). These medications should be taken strictly according to medical advice. In daily life, in addition to taking medications, it is also important to adjust lifestyle habits and avoid staying in damp environments for prolonged periods.

Generally speaking, there is no such thing as "the most effective medicines for eliminating dampness." Specific medications that are effective in removing dampness mainly include Huoxiang Zhengqi Water, Shenling Baizhu Powder, Wuling Powder, Xiangsha Pingwei Granules, and Xiangsha Liujun Pills. It is important to strictly follow medical advice when using these medications. The detailed analysis is as follows:

1. Huoxiang Zhengqi Water: This is suitable for excessive dampness caused by external contraction of cold and internal injury from damp stagnation. Common symptoms include nausea and vomiting, abdominal distension and diarrhea, headache, and a heavy feeling in the head. This medication can relieve exterior syndromes, resolve dampness, regulate qi, and harmonize the middle jiao. It helps alleviate discomfort caused by dampness obstructing the spleen and stomach. Cold or greasy foods should be avoided during administration. Additionally, driving or engaging in high-altitude work immediately after taking the medication is not recommended.

2. Shenling Baizhu Powder: Suitable for excessive dampness due to spleen and stomach weakness and impaired transformation and transportation functions. Symptoms often include poor appetite, loose stools, limb fatigue, and a sallow complexion. This medication strengthens the spleen and stomach, benefits lung qi, and promotes the elimination of dampness by enhancing spleen and stomach functions. It is recommended to take it with warm water alongside a light diet, such as millet porridge and vegetables, to aid in the recovery of the spleen and stomach.

3. Wuling Powder: Used for dampness-related issues caused by internal retention of water and dampness, manifested as poor urination, edema and abdominal distension, thirst without desire to drink, etc. This medication promotes diuresis, removes dampness, warms yang, and transforms qi, helping to eliminate excess fluid in the body and improve discomfort caused by stagnation of water and dampness. An adequate water intake is recommended during treatment to promote metabolism. Prolonged sitting or lying should be avoided, and appropriate physical activity is encouraged.

4. Xiangsha Pingwei Granules: Suitable for dampness stagnation in the spleen and stomach, common symptoms include abdominal distension, poor appetite, nausea, vomiting, and heavy limbs. This medication dries dampness, regulates the spleen, regulates qi, and harmonizes the stomach, alleviating dysfunction of the spleen and stomach caused by dampness obstructing the spleen. It should be taken with hot water. Overeating should be avoided during administration, and intake of spicy and sweet greasy foods should be reduced to alleviate the burden on the spleen and stomach.

5. Xiangsha Liujun Pills: Suitable for cases of spleen and stomach qi deficiency combined with impaired transformation and transportation functions and dampness obstruction. Symptoms include reduced food intake with loose stools, abdominal distension, belching with reduced appetite, and unformed stools. This medication benefits qi, strengthens the spleen, harmonizes the stomach, and resolves dampness. It removes dampness while tonifying the spleen and stomach, making it suitable for individuals with long-term spleen and stomach weakness accompanied by dampness. Regular rest and avoiding staying up late to prevent damaging the spleen and stomach are advised during administration.

In daily life, besides taking medications, attention should also be paid to adjusting lifestyle habits. Avoid long-term exposure to damp environments, reduce intake of cold foods such as ice cream and cold beverages, and engage in moderate exercise like brisk walking or yoga to assist in expelling dampness through sweating, helping the body maintain normal metabolic function.

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What is the best and fastest medicine for removing dampness?

Generally speaking, there is no such thing as "what medicine is best and fastest for removing dampness." If you wish to eliminate dampness, medications such as Huoxiang Zhengqi Shui (Agastache fortunei liquid), Shenling Baizhu San (Codonopsis and Atractylodes powder), Pingwei San (Regulating Stomach Powder), Wuling San (Poria and泽泻 Powder), and Er Miao Wan (Two Marvels Pills) may be taken under a doctor's guidance. Eliminating dampness requires syndrome differentiation to select appropriate medications, as different syndromes call for different treatments. Blindly taking medicine may worsen the condition. It is recommended to use these medicines under the guidance of a TCM practitioner.

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What are the functions and effects of Gentiana scabra (Dragon胆草)?

Under normal circumstances, the main functions and effects of Gentiana (Long Dan Cao) include clearing heat and removing dampness, purging fire from the liver and gallbladder, relieving bitter taste in the mouth, improving red eyes, and assisting in reducing jaundice. Gentiana is usually administered by oral intake of decoction, and the dosage should be controlled according to a physician's instructions. Due to its cold nature and bitter taste, it is contraindicated for individuals with spleen-stomach deficiency cold or without excess heat and dampness, to avoid damaging the spleen-stomach yang qi and causing discomfort such as abdominal pain and diarrhea.

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What foods help remove dampness?

Under normal circumstances, consuming foods such as Poria (Fu Ling), red adzuki beans (Chi Xiao Dou), Gorgon fruit (Qian Shi), winter melon peel (Dong Gua Pi), and stir-fried hyacinth bean (Chao Bian Dou) may help remove dampness from the body. If you have a need to eliminate dampness, it is recommended to conduct dietary adjustments under the guidance of a healthcare professional. In daily life, in addition to dietary regulation, you can also appropriately increase physical exercise, such as jogging or practicing Tai Chi, to promote blood circulation and assist in expelling dampness from the body.

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How to Remove Dampness, What Are the Most Effective Methods

Consuming more ingredients that strengthen the spleen and resolve dampness, such as coix seed, red beans, poria, winter melon, and Chinese yam, can be beneficial. These ingredients can be prepared as porridge or soup. At the same time, avoid raw, cold, sweet, greasy, and fatty foods to reduce the burden on the spleen and stomach, thus addressing the root cause of dampness formation internally. Consistently engage in moderate-intensity exercises, such as brisk walking, jogging, swimming, and rope skipping.