How to manage damp-heat in the spleen and stomach

Aug 26, 2025 Source: Cainiu Health

Dr. Sun Lianqing

Introduction

Damp-heat in the spleen and stomach may be caused by various pathological factors including improper diet, irregular作息 (作息 should be translated as "lifestyle" or "作息 habits" depending on context), functional dyspepsia, chronic gastritis, and bile reflux gastritis. It is recommended to seek timely medical consultation, identify the underlying cause, and then proceed with general management and medication under a physician's guidance. In daily life, maintaining a cheerful mood, avoiding prolonged anxiety and irritability, and engaging in mild exercises such as walking or tai chi are advised.

Generally, damp-heat in the spleen and stomach may be caused by pathological factors such as improper diet, irregular作息 (作息 should be translated as作息 pattern/lifestyle here), functional dyspepsia, chronic gastritis, and bile reflux gastritis. It is recommended to seek timely medical advice, identify the underlying cause, and then proceed with general management and medication under a doctor's guidance. Specific explanations are as follows:

1. Improper Diet: Long-term excessive consumption of spicy, greasy, and sweet foods can increase the digestive burden on the spleen and stomach, leading to stagnation of dampness and internal heat formation, resulting in damp-heat in the spleen and stomach. Symptoms may include abdominal fullness and distension, bitter taste in the mouth, and sticky sensation. It is advisable to choose a light diet, consume more heat-clearing and dampness-resolving foods such as coix seed, winter melon, and mung beans, reduce intake of hot pot, fried foods, and desserts, and control portion sizes to avoid overeating.

2. Irregular作息 Pattern: Long-term late nights or irregular作息 patterns can impair the normal digestive function of the spleen and stomach, leading to abnormal discharge of dampness, accumulation and transformation into internal heat, causing damp-heat in the spleen and stomach, accompanied by fatigue, weakness, and decreased appetite. It is necessary to adjust the作息 pattern, maintain a fixed bedtime each day, ensure 7–8 hours of sleep, avoid using electronic devices one hour before sleep, and reduce the frequency of staying up late.

3. Functional Dyspepsia: Damp-heat in the spleen and stomach affects digestive function, leading to slow digestion of food and symptoms such as postprandial fullness, belching, and nausea. Patients should follow medical advice and use medications such as Xiangsha Yangwei Pills, Zhizhu Pills, and Baohe Pills for treatment.

4. Chronic Gastritis: Long-term stimulation of gastric mucosa by damp-heat in the spleen and stomach can cause inflammation, presenting as dull epigastric pain, acid regurgitation, and heartburn. Patients should follow medical advice and use medications such as hydrotalcite chewable tablets, omeprazole enteric-coated capsules, and domperidone tablets to reduce inflammation.

5. Bile Reflux Gastritis: Damp-heat in the spleen and stomach interferes with the normal excretion of bile, causing bile to reflux into the stomach, damaging the gastric mucosa, and causing symptoms such as retrosternal burning sensation, bitter taste in the mouth, and abdominal distension. Patients should follow medical advice and use medications such as mosapride citrate tablets, rabeprazole sodium enteric-coated tablets, and sucralfate suspension to alleviate symptoms.

In daily life, it is important to maintain a cheerful mood, avoid long-term anxiety and irritability, engage in mild exercises such as walking and tai chi to promote gastrointestinal motility. Additionally, keep the abdomen warm to avoid cold exposure that may worsen spleen and stomach discomfort, thereby improving the condition of damp-heat in the spleen and stomach through comprehensive regulation.

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What are the patent medicines for damp-heat in the spleen and stomach?

Under normal circumstances, patients with damp-heat in the spleen and stomach can use medications under a doctor's guidance. Commonly used medications include Gegen Qinlian Pills, Huoxiang Qingwei Capsules, Er Miao Pills, Yin Zhi Huang Granules, and Xiang Lian Pills. During treatment, patients should also maintain a light diet, avoid spicy and greasy foods, and follow a regular作息 (作息 should be translated as "daily routine" or "作息" could be transliterated as "zuoxi" if retaining Chinese terms is acceptable), to promote recovery.

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What are the traditional Chinese medicine prescriptions for damp-heat in the spleen and stomach?

The traditional Chinese medicine formula Lian Pu Yin, primarily composed of Coptis (Huang Lian), Magnolia bark (Hou Po), Ternate Arisaema Rhizome (Shi Chang Pu), and Pinellia (Ban Xia), is effective in clearing heat, resolving dampness, regulating qi, and harmonizing the middle jiao. It is suitable for symptoms caused by damp-heat in the spleen and stomach, such as epigastric and abdominal distension and fullness, nausea, vomiting, bitter taste, sticky mouth, and dark yellow urine. This formula helps alleviate qi stagnation due to damp-heat blocking the middle jiao and improves digestive function.

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What causes a summerheat-dampness type of common cold, and what should be done?

In general, damp-heat感冒 (a type of common cold in traditional Chinese medicine) is often caused by external contraction of dampness-heat pathogens, food stagnation leading to internal dampness, environmental exposure to damp-heat, excessive fatigue consuming vital energy, or internal accumulation of damp-heat in the spleen and stomach. It is recommended to seek timely medical advice, identify the underlying cause, and then improve the condition through lifestyle adjustments and medication under a doctor's guidance. In daily life, adjust clothing according to seasonal changes, avoid prolonged exposure to air conditioning, and refrain from consuming cold beverages, particularly during summer.

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What medication should be taken for damp-heat in the spleen and stomach?

Under normal circumstances, damp-heat in the spleen and stomach is a condition caused by the accumulation of damp-heat pathogens in the spleen and stomach, leading to dysfunction in their digestive and transformative functions. Common symptoms include abdominal distension and fullness, limb fatigue, loose stools, bitter taste and stickiness in the mouth. Patients may take medications such as Huoxiang Qingwei Capsules, Gegen Qinlian Tablets, Xiangsha Liujun Pills, Lianpu Shuangqing Tablets, and Zhishi Daozhi Pills under the guidance of a physician.