What are the symptoms of a damp-heat constitution?

Aug 27, 2025 Source: Cainiu Health

Dr. Sun Lianqing

Introduction

Accumulation of damp-heat in the body impedes the circulation of qi and blood, leading to a persistent feeling of heaviness, as if wrapped in wet cloth. Even with sufficient sleep, fatigue is difficult to relieve, and physical activity may exacerbate feelings of weakness in the limbs, mental lethargy, and difficulty concentrating. Damp-heat traveling along the meridians to the skin stimulates excessive sebum production by the sebaceous glands, causing the face and scalp to become oily, particularly noticeable on the forehead and sides of the nose.

Physical manifestations caused by a damp-heat constitution generally include bodily heaviness and fatigue, oily skin with acne, bitter taste and stickiness in the mouth with bad breath, sticky and unsatisfactory bowel movements, and short, dark yellow or reddish urine. The specific symptoms are as follows:

1. Bodily heaviness and fatigue: Accumulation of internal dampness and heat hinders the circulation of qi and blood, often causing a feeling of heaviness in the body, similar to being wrapped in wet cloth. This sensation persists even after sufficient sleep and fails to relieve fatigue. During physical activity, limbs feel weak, mental state tends to be listless, and it becomes difficult to concentrate.

2. Oily skin with acne: Damp-heat reaches the skin through the meridians, stimulating excessive sebum production. The face and scalp become oily, particularly noticeable on the forehead and sides of the nose. Acne and pimples develop easily, some accompanied by redness, swelling, and pus. Occasional skin itching may occur, and scratching may leave marks.

3. Bitter taste, sticky mouth, and bad breath: Damp-heat rising upward affects the oral cavity, causing a bitter taste in the mouth upon waking or in the afternoon. There is a persistent sticky sensation inside the mouth that cannot be completely eliminated even after brushing teeth. Bad breath is also present, easily noticeable during close conversations. Symptoms worsen after consuming spicy or greasy foods.

4. Sticky and unsatisfactory bowel movements: Damp-heat descending into the intestines affects intestinal motility, causing sticky and poorly formed stools. Bowel movements tend to stick to the toilet bowl and are difficult to flush away. The defecation process feels unsmooth, often accompanied by a sensation of incomplete evacuation. Some individuals experience prolonged bowel movements and a sticky residue around the anus after defecation.

5. Short, dark yellow or reddish urine: Internal damp-heat affects fluid metabolism, interfering with urine production and excretion. Urine volume decreases and appears deep yellow or tea-colored. A mild burning sensation may occur during urination, and the first urination in the morning shows darker, shorter, and more concentrated urine.

After experiencing symptoms related to a damp-heat constitution, it is important to maintain a light diet, reduce intake of spicy, sweet, and fried foods, and consume more heat-clearing and dampness-resolving foods such as coix seed, winter melon, and mung beans. Additionally, maintaining regular sleep patterns, avoiding late nights, and engaging in moderate physical activity to promote sweating are recommended.

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What are the Manifested Symptoms and Regulation Methods of a Damp-Heat Body Type?

The face is prone to oiliness, with a yellowish and dull complexion, and is susceptible to acne and pimples. Sebum secretion is excessive, and the face tends to become oily quickly even after cleansing, affecting the overall facial condition. There is often a bitter taste and stickiness in the mouth, accompanied by bad breath, with symptoms possibly more pronounced upon waking in the morning. These symptoms are difficult to fully relieve even after drinking water, affecting the sense of taste. The body commonly feels heavy and fatigued, with a sensation of heaviness during movement of the limbs.

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What to Eat for a Damp-Heat Constitution

Under normal circumstances, individuals with a damp-heat body type are suitable to consume foods such as coix seed, winter melon, mung beans, red adzuki beans, and bitter melon, as well as oral medications including Huoxiang Qingwei Capsules, Shenling Baizhu Powder, Longdan Xiegan Pills, Qingre Qushi Granules, and Xiangsha Yangwei Pills. Foods can assist in removing dampness and clearing heat, while medications should be used according to medical advice, and their effects may vary from person to person.

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What to Eat for a Damp-Heat Body Type

Under normal circumstances, individuals with a damp-heat constitution are advised to consume foods such as luffa, poria (Poria cocos), mung beans, water spinach, and lotus seeds, as well as oral medications including Sanren Mixture (Three Seeds Mixture), Compound Gotu Kola Granules, Qingre Qushi Granules (Heat-clearing and Dampness-resolving Granules), Longdan Xiegan Pills (Dragon胆Liver-Draining Pills), and Xiangsha Yangwei Pills (Fragrant Sand Stomach-Nourishing Pills). People with a damp-heat constitution should generally avoid excessive consumption of sweet, greasy, or fried foods in order to reduce the accumulation of damp-heat.

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Damp-heat: What teas can help regulate it?

In general, individuals with a damp-heat body type can regulate their condition by drinking teas that have heat-clearing and dampness-resolving effects. Commonly recommended teas include honeysuckle tea, Poria tea, coix seed tea, tangerine peel and lotus leaf tea, dandelion tea, etc. In addition, individuals with a damp-heat constitution should avoid drinking strong tea, sweet tea, and other similar beverages, to prevent exacerbating internal dampness. At the same time, attention should be paid to maintaining regular作息 (作息 translates as作息 habits or作息 routines) in daily life.