What are the traditional Chinese medicines for removing dampness and heat?

Aug 27, 2025 Source: Cainiu Health

Dr. Sun Lianqing

Introduction

Under normal circumstances, a damp-heat body constitution may easily cause discomforts such as bitter taste in the mouth, sticky mouth sensation, heavy limbs, dark yellow or reddish urine, and sticky, unsatisfactory bowel movements. Chinese herbal medicines such as Long Dan Xie Gan Wan (Dragon胆Liver-Draining Pill), Yin Chen Wu Ling Wan (Yinchen Five-Ingredient Pill), Si Miao Wan (Four Marvels Pill), Huo Xiang Zheng Qi Shui (Agastache Qi Rectifying Water), and Liu Yi San (Six-One Powder) may be used for regulation under medical guidance. In daily life, it is important to avoid staying in damp environments for prolonged periods, and dietary intake of sweet, greasy, or high-fat foods such as cakes and fatty meats should be reduced.

Generally, a damp-heat constitution may easily cause discomforts such as bitter taste in the mouth, sticky mouth sensation, heavy limbs, yellowish-red urine, and sticky, unsatisfactory bowel movements. Chinese herbal medicines such as Longdan Xiegan Wan (Dragon胆Liver-Draining Pill), Yinchen Wuling Wan (Capillaris Five-Ling Pill), Simiao Wan (Four Marvels Pill), Huoxiang Zhengqi Shui (Agastache Qi-Warming Water), and Liuyi San (Six-One Powder) may be used for regulation under medical guidance. Detailed explanations are as follows:

1. Longdan Xiegan Wan

Main ingredients include Gentiana (Longdan), Bupleurum (Chaihu), Scutellaria (Huangqin), etc., which function to clear heat and dampness from the liver and gallbladder and promote dampness elimination. Gentiana clears excessive fire in the liver and gallbladder and eliminates damp-heat in the lower jiao; Scutellaria effectively clears damp-heat in the upper jiao. Together, they are suitable for dizziness, red eyes, tinnitus, deafness, flank pain, bitter taste in the mouth, short and dark urine, and leukorrhea caused by damp-heat in the liver and gallbladder.

2. Yinchen Wuling Wan

Composed of Capillaris (Yinchen), Alisma (Zexie), Polyporus (Zuling), etc., Capillaris clears damp-heat and promotes bile secretion to relieve jaundice; Alisma and Polyporus drain dampness and promote urination. Overall, it clears damp-heat and benefits urination. It is suitable for jaundice caused by damp-heat in the liver and gallbladder and stagnation of spleen and lung Qi, presenting with yellowing of the skin and eyes, abdominal distension, and difficult urination.

3. Simiao Wan

Composed of Phellodendron (Huangbai), Atractylodes (Cangzhu), Coix Seed (Yiyiren), and Achyranthes Root (Niuxi). Phellodendron strongly clears heat and removes dampness; Atractylodes dries dampness and strengthens the spleen; Coix Seed strengthens the spleen and drains dampness; Achyranthes Root promotes joint circulation and directs medicinal effects downward. It clears heat and removes dampness, suitable for bi syndrome caused by downward accumulation of damp-heat, presenting with red and swollen knees, and pain in the bones and joints.

4. Huoxiang Zhengqi Shui

Main ingredients include Agastache (Huoxiang), Perilla Leaf (Zisuye), Angelica Root (Baizhi), etc. Agastache aromatically resolves dampness, harmonizes the middle jiao, stops vomiting, and relieves summerheat; Perilla Leaf resolves exterior syndromes, disperses cold, regulates Qi, and harmonizes the stomach. Overall, it resolves exterior syndromes, transforms dampness, regulates Qi, and harmonizes the middle jiao. It is suitable for common cold caused by external contraction of wind-cold with internal injury from dampness retention or summerheat-dampness, presenting with headache with a heavy feeling, chest and diaphragm fullness, abdominal distension and pain, vomiting, and diarrhea.

5. Liuyi San

Composed of Talcum Powder and Licorice. Talcum Powder drains dampness, clears heat, and relieves summerheat; Licorice tonifies Qi, harmonizes the middle jiao, alleviates spasms, and stops pain. It clears summerheat and removes dampness, suitable for fever, fatigue, thirst, diarrhea, and scanty yellow urine caused by summerheat-dampness. Externally, it can also be used to treat prickly heat.

In daily life, avoid long-term exposure to damp environments. Diet-wise, reduce sweet, greasy foods such as cakes and fatty meats. Appropriately consume ingredients that help eliminate damp-heat, such as coix seed and red beans, to assist in body regulation.

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What are the best methods to remove dampness and heat?

Generally speaking, there is no single best method for removing damp-heat. Damp-heat can usually be managed by adjusting dietary habits, such as consuming more heat-clearing and dampness-resolving foods like winter melon, coix seed, mung beans, and bitter melon, while reducing intake of spicy, greasy, and sweet foods. A light diet can alleviate the burden on the spleen and stomach, promote the elimination of damp-heat through metabolism, and prevent its accumulation, which may worsen discomfort.

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What are the best traditional Chinese patent medicines for removing dampness and heat?

Generally speaking, there is no such thing as "the best traditional Chinese patent medicines for removing dampness and heat." Damp-heat syndrome is a condition caused by the intermingling of dampness and heat pathogens, which invade the internal organs and lead to symptoms such as heaviness and discomfort in the body, bitter taste and stickiness in the mouth, abdominal distension, short and dark urine, and sticky, unsatisfactory bowel movements. Patients may use Qingre Qushi Granules, Simiao Pills, Shenling Baizhu Powder, or Huoxiang Zhengqi Water as directed by a physician.

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What are the most effective traditional Chinese patent medicines for removing dampness and heat?

Generally speaking, there is no such thing as "the fastest Chinese patent medicines for removing dampness and heat." Damp-heat invading the body easily causes dysfunction of internal organs. Patients may use medicines such as Longdan Xiegan Pills, Yin Zhi Huang Oral Liquid, Compound Chicken Gizzard Grass Capsules, Huoxiang Qingwei Capsules, and Wu Ling San, as directed by a physician. A detailed analysis is as follows:

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What are the best traditional Chinese patent medicines for removing dampness and heat?

Generally speaking, there is no such thing as "the best Chinese patent medicines for removing dampness and heat." Damp-heat accumulation in the body can easily lead to various discomforts, with common symptoms including heaviness and weakness in the limbs, bitter taste, and sticky mouth. Patients may use medications such as Qingre Qushi Granules, Simiao Pills, Huoxiang Zhengqi Soft Capsules, Er Miao Pills, and Shenling Baizhu Powder according to their physician's instructions.