In my clinic in Herne Bay, Kent dampness and phlegm is one of the most common causes of a range of conditions I see frequently. This is short description of what dampness and phlegm is in relation to Chinese medicine and how it affects our body. This article also explains how it can develop from fluid separation and diffusion. This is just an introduction and should not used for self diagnosis. Chinese medicine is complex, if you would like to know more then speak to your local TCM acupuncturist or herbalist.

What has dampness and phlegm got to do with health and well-being?

These concepts do not have a western equivalent and applies exclusively to Chinese medicine.

Body fluid is needed to help regulate the body for example sweat cools the body and saliva helps digest food and fluids moisten tissue in the skin, hair, tendons, internal organs and muscles.

During the digestive process the body separates murky or impure fluids, that are excreted through urination, to clear or pure fluids. The stomach is the first organ to start this process and it is referred to as the origin of fluids.

“Fluid enters the stomach. It is then extracted as a fluid essence, which is processed by the spleen. The spleen then separates the pure from the turbid. Within the pure, there are jin and ye, which are transported to the lungs. The lungs, in their function of regulating water passages, distribute the purified fluids to the entire body via channels...” Neijing Chapter 21. The fluid distribution flows to the internal organs.

When this process in not working efficiently dampness or phlegm is formed and deposited. This affects the body differently depending on where in body on in how dampness or phlegm manifests.

Dampness is

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• Stickyheavy

• Slows down movement

• Turbid

• Clogging

• Obstructs

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For example

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• Heaviness or muzziness of the head

• Eyes oozing or styes

• Mouth ulcers

• The feeling of fullness after eating

• Sticky taste

• Poor appetite

• Excessive vaginal discharge

• Greasy sweating

• Swollen painful joints

• Numbness

• Some forms of rheumatoid arthritis

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Phlegm is usually accompanied with heat. It is congealed fluids that have been distributed through the triple burner (san jiao) and block the pathway creating internal heat.

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Non Substantial

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• Under the skin

• Lumps under the skin

• Swelling of lymph nodes or the thyroid

• Numbness

• Some types of mental illness (phlegm misting the mind)

• Gall bladder stones or kidney stones (this can also be damp heat (in some case)

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If there is internal dampness or phlegm then it can get worse if the body is exposed to a damp environment or if  the weather is hot and humid or cold and damp.

Avoid

• Dairy

• Greasy

• Fried

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They are all phlegm and damp building foods that will take time for the body to remove.

Other damp and phlegm building foods are

• Peanuts

• Bananas

• Sugar

• Pork

• Fatty meat

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Food to eat

• Millet

• Rice

• Pear

• Cherries

• Grapes

• Ginger

• Flax seed

• Radish