What to eat for damp-heat syndrome
Aug 28, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Sun Lianqing
Introduction
In general, for damp-heat conditions, it is advisable to consume foods such as Poria (Fuling), luffa, lotus seeds, purslane, and winter melon peel. Under a doctor's guidance, oral medications such as Er Miao Wan, Xiang Sha Liu Jun Wan, Yin Zhi Huang Oral Liquid, Huang Lian Shang Qing Pian, and Ping Wei San may also be taken for regulation. To manage damp-heat, one should avoid excessive intake of sweet, greasy, fried, and spicy foods in daily life, as these can exacerbate dampness and heat.
Under normal circumstances, it is advisable to consume foods such as Poria (Poria cocos), luffa, lotus seeds, portulaca, and winter melon peel for damp-heat conditions. Additionally, under a physician's guidance, oral medications such as Er Miao Wan (Two Marvels Pill), Xiang Sha Liu Jun Wan (Aucklandia and Cardamom Six Gentlemen Pill), Yin Zhi Huang Oral Liquid (Capillarisin, Gardenia, Baicalin, and Honeysuckle Extract Liquid), Huang Lian Shang Qing Pian (Coptis Upper Clearing Tablets), and Ping Wei San (Stomach Harmonizing Powder) may be taken to regulate damp-heat. Detailed explanations are as follows:
I. Foods
1. Poria: Containing components such as Poria polysaccharides, Poria cocos can strengthen the spleen to resolve dampness, calm the mind, and promote the transformation and transportation of bodily fluids to reduce damp-heat accumulation. It is suitable for preparing as Poria congee or Poria and Yam soup, helping to alleviate symptoms such as poor appetite, abdominal distension, impaired urination, and mental restlessness caused by damp-heat.
2. Luffa: With a cool nature and high water content, luffa can clear heat, resolve phlegm, cool the blood, detoxify, and assist in removing dampness. It is suitable for stir-frying or making into soup, helping to improve symptoms such as sore throat, skin itching, and sticky stools caused by damp-heat.
3. Lotus Seeds: These can strengthen the spleen to stop diarrhea, benefit the kidneys, and consolidate essence. The lotus seed heart can clear heart fire, helping to balance damp-heat. They can be cooked with lily bulbs and white fungus to make a thick soup or added to congee to relieve spleen deficiency diarrhea and irritability with insomnia caused by damp-heat.
4. Portulaca: A dual-purpose herb used as both food and medicine, portulaca can clear heat, detoxify, cool the blood, stop bleeding, and treat dysentery. It can be eaten raw as a salad or cooked into congee, suitable for improving damp-heat-related dysentery, enteritis, and skin sores, especially providing auxiliary benefits for intestinal discomfort caused by summer damp-heat.
5. Winter Melon Peel: Compared to the flesh, winter melon peel is more effective at promoting diuresis and reducing edema, accelerating the elimination of dampness. Its cool nature also helps clear heat. It is suitable for making tea or adding to soups to relieve damp-heat-induced leg swelling and reduced urine output.
II. Medications
1. Er Miao Wan: Composed of Phellodendron bark and Atractylodes, this formula clears heat and resolves dampness. It is suitable for damp-heat descending syndrome manifesting as red, swollen, painful legs and knees, dark yellow urine, and damp scrotum. It should be taken according to the prescribed course under a physician's guidance, and spicy and greasy foods should be avoided during treatment.
2. Xiang Sha Liu Jun Wan: Containing Aucklandia root, Cardamom fruit, Codonopsis root, Atractylodes rhizome, and other ingredients, this formula benefits qi, strengthens the spleen, harmonizes the stomach, and removes dampness. It is suitable for individuals with spleen and stomach weakness combined with damp-heat, improving symptoms such as poor appetite, abdominal distension, belching, reduced food intake, and loose stools. Dosage should be adjusted according to medical advice when used.
3. Yin Zhi Huang Oral Liquid: Composed of Capillarisin, Gardenia, Baicalin, and Honeysuckle extract, this formula clears heat, detoxifies, promotes dampness elimination, and reduces jaundice. It is suitable for damp-heat jaundice, alleviating symptoms such as yellowing of the skin and sclera and dark yellow urine. It should be strictly used according to medical instructions, with close monitoring of drug reactions.
4. Huang Lian Shang Qing Pian: Containing Coptis, Scutellaria, Gardenia, and other components, this formula clears heat, purges fire, dispels wind, and relieves pain. It is suitable for symptoms such as dizziness, mouth ulcers, sore throat, and swollen gums caused by damp-heat. Due to its cold nature, it should not be self-administered for prolonged periods.
5. Ping Wei San: Composed of Atractylodes, Magnolia bark, Tangerine peel, and Licorice, this formula dries dampness, strengthens the spleen, regulates qi, and harmonizes the stomach. It is suitable for individuals with spleen and stomach qi stagnation combined with damp-heat, improving symptoms such as abdominal fullness, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, and loose stools. It should be used according to medical advice based on the condition.
To regulate damp-heat, one should avoid excessive consumption of sweet, greasy, fried, and spicy foods to reduce damp-heat generation. At the same time, maintain a regular routine, avoid staying up late, and engage in mild exercises such as Tai Chi or brisk walking to promote the elimination of dampness.
