Summer not only brings scorching heat but also high humidity levels. From the perspective of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), dampness is one of the common pathogenic factors. Why does humidity make people sick, and how can we "dispel dampness"?
TCM categorises dampness into "external" and "internal" types. External dampness is related to seasonal climate and environment, and is mostly caused by humid weather, exposure to rain, working near the water, or prolonged residence in humid areas. Internal dampness, on the other hand, often results from spleen and stomach dysfunction, which leading to bodily moisture accumulation. In the process of disease development, external and internal dampness often affect each other. Among the organs, dampness typically invades the spleen first, hindering fluid metabolism and qi circulation. Symptoms of dampness-related discomfort include poor appetite, dizziness, overall heaviness, limb soreness, increased secretion from eyes, ears, mouth, and nose, loose and sticky stools, skin eczema, and lower limbs edema.
TCM principles emphasise spleen invigoration, dampness dispelling, turbidity reduction, phlegm resolution, and lung, kidney, and circulation maintenance for those afflicted by severe dampness. Here are some lifestyle suggestions:
- Exercise regularly: Physical activity boosts metabolism, enhances blood circulation, and promotes moisture elimination through sweating. After intense workouts, avoid immediate exposure to strong air conditioning or fans, and refrain from showering immediately to prevent moisture accumulation on the skin surface.
- Maintain a light diet: Avoid overeating and minimise consumption of sweet and greasy fried foods. Nourishing and sweet-sour foods should also be consumed in moderation. It is advisable to eat more spleen-tonifying and dampness dispelling foods, including celery, cabbage, white radish, winter melon, cucumber, loofah, water chestnuts, bamboo shoots, seaweed, kelp, clams, jellyfish, onions, spring onions and garlic, loquats, ginkgo, olives, jujube, lentil, barley, rice bean, broad bean, mung bean, peanuts, lotus leaves, poria, gorgon, yam, carrot, lotus seeds.
- Seek TCM support: Consult a registered TCM practitioner for personalised diagnose and treatment plans, which may include prescribed Chinese herbal medicines, moderate cupping, moxibustion, and wormwood patches. All of these help warm the yang, dispel cold, nourish the lungs, and strengthen the spleen to eliminate dampness.
By incorporating exercise, dietary adjustments, and TCM interventions as needed, we don’t have to worry about the health impacts of humid weather!
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