Lao Li is 62 years old and was a busy factory worker before he retired. After retiring, he thought he could enjoy a leisurely retirement life, but he found that he often felt heavy and weak, especially in the spring. Frequent joint soreness made him almost reluctant to get out of bed on wet days. During a casual after-dinner chat, a friend mentioned to him that it might be "dampness" at work.
Lao Li's situation is not uncommon among middle-aged and elderly people. Dampness, a seemingly simple word, carries a profound meaning in Chinese medicine. It is not only related to the change of weather, but also closely related to our physical health. Lao Li's case is a classic case of health problems caused by dampness, which reveals how dampness inadvertently invades our bodies and how we can deal with them through TCM theories.
Analysis of Traditional Chinese Medicine Theory: Dampness and Dampness Evil
Deciphering Moisture: A Traditional Chinese Medicine Perspective
In traditional Chinese medicine, dampness is regarded as a disease in the external environment, which can enter the human body through the skin, mouth and nose, or be produced by poor metabolism in the body. Moisture is characterized by viscosity and turbidity, which can easily block the meridians of the human body and affect the flow of qi and blood, thus causing a series of health problems. After dampness invades the human body, the most common manifestations are heaviness, fatigue and weakness, and even cause symptoms such as joint pain and indigestion.
The causes and effects of dampness
The formation of moisture is related to a variety of factors, including prolonged exposure to humidity, improper diet (e.g., excessive consumption of greasy, sweet and greasy foods), and poor water metabolism in the body. When dampness accumulates in the body to a certain extent, it will affect the function of the spleen and stomach - Chinese medicine believes that the spleen and stomach are the foundation of nurture and the source of qi and blood biochemistry. Impaired spleen and stomach function not only leads to a decrease in digestion and absorption, but also may affect the circulation of qi and blood throughout the body, further aggravating the accumulation of moisture.
The interaction of dampness with other diseases
Moisture often does not act on the human body alone, it may combine with other pathologies such as cold and heat to form complex pathological changes. For example, when dampness and heat are combined, the human body may experience symptoms such as fever and dry mouth, and when dampness and cold are combined, it may manifest as cold pain in the body and warmth in the limbs. Understanding the interaction of dampness with other diseases can help us to diagnose and treat various diseases caused by dampness more accurately.
The effect of moisture on the five internal organs
Among the five internal organs, the spleen is the most susceptible to dampness. The spleen is mainly transported, which is responsible for the metabolism and distribution of water and moisture. Dampness erodes the spleen, which will lead to the weakening of spleen function, the stagnation of dampness, and the formation of phlegm dampness or edema. In addition, dampness may also affect the kidneys, liver, and other internal organs, causing or aggravating symptoms such as pain and stiffness in the body.
Through the above detailed analysis, we can not only better understand the important position of dampness and dampness in traditional Chinese medicine, but also grasp how they affect our physical health.
Moisture prevention in life: daily habits and dietary adjustments
In TCM theory, dampness is considered to be one of the main factors affecting health, especially for middle-aged and elderly people. Heavy dampness can lead to physical discomfort and the occurrence of a variety of chronic diseases. Therefore, mastering how to prevent dampness in daily life is essential to improve the quality of life.
1. Dietary adjustment: Choose the right ingredients and dietary principles
Diet is an effective means of regulating dampness in the body. Here are some basic dietary recommendations:
Dampness ingredients: Choose foods with dampness functions such as barley, winter melon, red beans, watermelon, etc. These ingredients not only help to expel moisture from the body, but also replenish the nutrients that the body needs.
Spleen food: The spleen is the foundation of the day after tomorrow, and the main transport is water and dampness. It is recommended to eat spleen-strengthening foods such as pumpkin, yam, lentils, etc., to enhance the function of the spleen and stomach and help expel moisture in the body.
Cooking method: It is recommended to use cooking methods such as boiling, stewing, and steaming to reduce greasy and fried food to reduce the burden on the spleen and stomach and prevent the formation of moisture.
2. Lifestyle habits: Arrange daily activities reasonably
Maintaining a moderate daily activity can effectively promote the body's blood circulation and metabolism, thereby helping the body to expel excess moisture:
Moderate exercise: Low-intensity exercises, such as walking and tai chi, can speed up the body's circulation and dispel moisture in the body.
Living environment: Keep the home dry and ventilated, use dehumidifiers or desiccant and other tools to reduce moisture in the living environment and avoid the invasion of dampness.
Traditional Chinese Medicine Remedies for Dampness: Natural Remedies and Traditional Secrets
TCM has a wealth of theory and practice in dispelling dampness, and the following are several effective TCM treatments:
1. Traditional Chinese Medicines: A Combination of Classics and Innovations
Coix seed soup: Coix seed is the main medicine, combined with Poria cocos, Atractylodes macrocephalus, etc., which has a good effect of dampness and spleen strengthening. It is suitable for people with wet and heavy physique.
Bazhen Soup: It is suitable for people with deficiency of qi and blood and weak physique. Contains angelica, astragalus and other ingredients, which can enhance physical fitness and assist in dispelling dampness.
2. Acupuncture treatment: Precise regulation of homeostasis
Acupuncture point selection: Acupuncture points such as Sanyinjiao and Zusanli can be stimulated by acupuncture and moxibustion to strengthen the transportation function of the spleen and stomach, thereby helping to remove dampness in the body.
Procedure: Operated by an experienced TCM practitioner to ensure the safety and effectiveness of acupuncture.
3. Physical Therapy: Cupping and Gua Sha
Cupping: By cupping on specific acupuncture points, local negative pressure is formed, which stimulates local blood circulation and helps in the discharge of moisture.
Gua Sha: Gua sha can be performed on specific parts of the body through a gua sha board to promote blood circulation, speed up metabolism, and help moisture drain out.
Through the above-mentioned TCM treatments and adjustments in daily life, you can effectively control and reduce dampness in the body and improve your quality of life. These methods are both ancient and full of wisdom, which are worth learning and applying for modern people.