What to Eat to Strengthen the Spleen and Stomach and Remove Dampness

Generally, to strengthen the spleen and stomach and eliminate dampness, one can consume foods such as Chinese yam, red beans, Poria (Fuling), Job's tears (coix seed), and pumpkin. Additionally, oral medications such as Shen Ling Bai Zhu San (Polyporus and Atractylodes Powder), Xiang Sha Yang Wei Wan (Medicated Pills for Stomach with Aucklandia and Amomum), Huo Xiang Zheng Qi Shui (Agastache Fluid Extract), Fu Zi Li Zhong Wan (Processed Aconite in Regulating the Middle Energizer), and Jian Pi Wan (Spleen-Strengthening Pills) may be taken under medical guidance. The effects may vary from person to person. Detailed explanations are as follows:

I. Foods

1. Chinese Yam: Rich in mucilaginous proteins, vitamins, and various minerals, it nourishes the spleen and stomach, generates body fluids, and benefits the lungs. The mucilaginous protein helps protect the gastric mucosa, enhances digestive function of the spleen and stomach, improves indigestion caused by spleen and stomach weakness, and assists in regulating dampness metabolism.

2. Red Beans: Rich in dietary fiber, protein, and multiple trace elements, they strengthen the spleen, remove dampness, nourish the blood, and improve complexion. They promote intestinal peristalsis, help expel excess water from the body, alleviate discomfort such as edema and abdominal distension caused by excessive dampness, and reduce the burden on the spleen and stomach's transformation and transportation function.

3. Poria (Fuling): Both a food and a medicinal herb, it contains Poria polysaccharides, triterpenoids, and other components. It strengthens the spleen, calms the mind, promotes diuresis, and removes dampness. It enhances the spleen's transformation and transportation function, helps eliminate dampness from the body, and alleviates symptoms such as fatigue and poor appetite caused by excessive dampness.

4. Job's Tears (Coix Seed): Rich in dietary fiber and B vitamins, it strengthens the spleen, removes dampness, clears heat, and promotes abscess drainage. It facilitates water metabolism in the body, helps eliminate dampness, improves symptoms such as bodily heaviness and sticky stools caused by excessive dampness. It is recommended to stir-fry it before cooking to reduce its cold nature.

5. Pumpkin: Rich in carotene, vitamin C, and pectin, it replenishes vital energy, strengthens the spleen, and warms the stomach. Pectin protects the gastric mucosa, reduces damage from irritating foods, promotes digestion and absorption, and its mild nature suits individuals with weak spleen and stomach. It also helps regulate internal dampness.

II. Medications

1. Shen Ling Bai Zhu San: A traditional Chinese medicine containing ginseng, white atractylodes, and Poria. It strengthens the spleen and stomach and benefits lung qi. It is suitable for symptoms such as spleen and stomach weakness, reduced appetite with loose stools, shortness of breath and cough, and limb fatigue. It enhances the spleen's transformation and transportation function, helps eliminate internal dampness, and should be used according to a doctor's instructions for a specific course of treatment.

2. Xiang Sha Yang Wei Wan: Contains Aucklandia root, Amomum fruit, white atractylodes, and others. It warms the middle jiao and harmonizes the stomach. It is suitable for stomach pain and fullness caused by insufficient stomach yang and dampness obstructing qi flow. It improves stomach discomfort and poor appetite caused by dampness obstructing the spleen and stomach. Strict medical guidance is necessary during use.

3. Huo Xiang Zheng Qi Shui: Contains Agastache, perilla leaf, Angelica root (Baizhi), and others. It resolves exterior syndromes, removes dampness, regulates qi, and harmonizes the middle jiao. It is suitable for colds caused by external contraction of cold and internal damage from dampness stagnation or summerheat-dampness. It alleviates symptoms such as heavy headache, abdominal distension and pain, vomiting, and diarrhea caused by excessive dampness. It should be taken according to the prescribed dosage.

4. Fu Zi Li Zhong Wan: Contains processed aconite, codonopsis, white atractylodes, and others. It warms the middle jiao and strengthens the spleen. It is suitable for conditions such as cold deficiency of the spleen and stomach, cold abdominal pain, vomiting and diarrhea, and cold limbs. It improves dampness accumulation caused by cold deficiency of the spleen and stomach, enhances spleen function, and requires dosage adjustments based on specific conditions.

5. Jian Pi Wan: Contains codonopsis, white atractylodes, tangerine peel, and others. It strengthens the spleen and stimulates the appetite. It is suitable for symptoms such as spleen and stomach weakness, abdominal fullness, reduced appetite, and loose stools. It promotes digestion, helps eliminate internal dampness, improves digestive issues caused by weak spleen and stomach function, and must be used under medical guidance.

To strengthen the spleen and stomach and eliminate dampness, maintain a light diet, avoid excessive consumption of raw, cold, or greasy foods, establish regular sleeping habits, engage in appropriate exercise to promote metabolism. When using medications, strictly follow medical instructions and never self-medicate or arbitrarily adjust dosages.