Feeling sluggish, lacking energy, and experiencing a loss of appetite? If these symptoms persist for an extended period without improvement, excess dampness in the body could be the cause, according to traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). This imbalance may also contribute to various health conditions, including high cholesterol, high blood sugar, obesity, and even tumors.

On the “Health 1+1” program, Shu Rong, a seasoned TCM practitioner with more than 30 years of experience and the director of Doctor Rong’s TCM Clinic in Cambridge, England, discussed the health risks associated with excess dampness and effective ways to eliminate it.

How Excess Dampness Leads to Disease

Dampness can accumulate in various organ systems and tissues, including the respiratory, digestive, circulatory, nervous, and endocrine systems, as well as the skin and hair, Shu said. As a result, it increases the risk of numerous health conditions.

According to TCM, dampness can transform into phlegm within the body. The body’s natural heat causes fluids to thicken. When these thickened fluids accumulate in one area and fail to circulate properly, they become phlegm, a pathological byproduct of impaired fluid metabolism.

TCM classifies phlegm into two types:

1. Visible phlegm: includes substances that can be seen, such as mucus coughed up from the lungs, nasal discharge, or pus from infected wounds.


2. Invisible phlegm: an internal buildup of phlegm that is not physically visible but is believed in TCM to contribute to various health conditions. These conditions include obesity, high blood lipids, high blood sugar, high cholesterol, joint swelling, cervicitis, urinary tract infections, nephritis, pneumonia, and pancreatitis.

If phlegm continues to build up in one area of the body over time, more substances may accumulate, potentially leading to cysts, tumors, or even cancer, Shu said.

Signs of Excess Dampness

Traditional Chinese medicine identifies five symptoms of excess dampness.

1. Fatigue, Sluggishness, and Lack of Motivation

People experiencing these symptoms may not be lazy or unwilling to move—they could be showing signs of spleen deficiency, Shu said. In TCM, the spleen is seen as more than an anatomical organ. It’s a broader concept encompassing the body’s digestive system and its functions, including the processing and transportation of nutrients and fluids. A weak spleen disrupts fluid metabolism, causing excess dampness to build up in the body.

Additionally, the spleen is said to govern the muscles of the limbs in TCM. This means that when the spleen is deficient, the muscles weaken, making physical activity even more exhausting.

2. Obesity

Excess dampness in the body contributes to fat accumulation. People with spleen deficiency often struggle with weight loss because they tend to crave rich, heavy foods like grilled meats and fried foods over light, easily digestible meals. Unfortunately, these unhealthy dietary choices further weaken the spleen and increase dampness, creating a vicious cycle.

3. Lipomas and Fatty Liver

Shu once treated a male patient who had already developed fatty liver disease. Since childhood, he had eaten large amounts of meat and heavily seasoned foods while avoiding vegetables and fruits. In addition to fatty liver, he also suffered from asthma and eczema—conditions that TCM associates with excess dampness in the body.

4. Uterine Fibroids and Ovarian Cysts

Shu stated that women who frequently eat large amounts of meat and cold beverages may experience stagnation of qi and blood in the uterus. The combination of dampness and blood stasis increases the risk of developing fibroids and cysts.

5. Imbalance of Heat and Cold

Some people experience an uneven distribution of heat and cold within their bodies—for example, feeling warm in the upper body but cold in the lower body or feeling cold internally while the skin feels warm on the outside. According to TCM, these sensations often stem from excessive dampness and spleen deficiency.

Causes of Excess Dampness

The causes of dampness, according to Shu, can be categorized into two types.

Internal Factors

Certain bodily conditions increase susceptibility to dampness. For example, some people are born with a weak spleen and stomach, which can lead to poor digestion and frequent bloating or diarrhea after eating.

Additionally, digestive disorders, irregular eating habits, chronic stress, and negative emotions can all weaken the spleen and stomach, allowing dampness to accumulate over time.

External Factors

Exposure to cold can weaken the spleen and stomach. For instance, some people habitually sleep without covering their abdomen or wear clothing that exposes their midsection, making them more vulnerable to cold.

Eating excessive amounts of cold or greasy foods can also damage the spleen and stomach, further aggravating dampness in the body.

Key Strategies for Addressing Dampness

Winter is a peak season for respiratory illnesses, many of which are linked to internal dampness and phlegm. Dampness in the body can be classified into two types, each presenting distinct symptoms.

1. Cold-Dampness

Cold-dampness affects the respiratory system in stages, first entering through the nose, then moving to the trachea, and eventually reaching the lungs, Shu noted. In the early stages, symptoms may include a runny nose with clear mucus or a cough that produces clear phlegm.

To counteract cold-dampness, it is important to stay warm. Drinking ginger water, ginger tea, or plenty of warm fluids such as hot tea and soups can be beneficial. Inhaling steam from hot water may also help relieve nasal congestion.

A review indicated ginger’s warming properties can help alleviate respiratory and lung-related issues. Ginger also promotes sweating, which aids in expelling cold-dampness that weakens the lungs’ immune defenses.

2. Damp-Heat

Over time, cold-dampness can transform into damp-heat due to the body’s natural warmth and factors like inadequate water intake or a lack of vegetables in the diet.

Early signs of damp-heat include thick nasal discharge that appears yellow or green. The greener the mucus, the higher the internal heat. Similarly, phlegm from coughing may become thick and yellow or green, indicating the presence of significant heat along with dampness.

To manage damp-heat, it is recommended to drink plenty of warm water, lemon water, or honey water. Alternating between warm and cool water to rinse the nasal passages may also help alleviate symptoms.

Ways to Eliminate Excess Dampness

Dr. Jingduan Yang, CEO of Northern Medical Center in New York, stated that for individuals with excess dampness, the primary approach in TCM is to regulate spleen and stomach function. The spleen and stomach play a crucial role in digestion and fluid metabolism, so maintaining their health is essential for eliminating excess dampness.

Another approach is the use of herbs with dampness-eliminating properties, such as Dendrobium (Shi Hu) and Poria cocos (Fu Ling).

In TCM, Poria cocos is believed to support digestion and metabolism. Research indicates that Poria cocos polysaccharides have various bioactive properties, including anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, immunomodulatory, and hepatoprotective effects and the ability to regulate gut microbiota.

Additionally, a 2021 study found that Poria cocos promotes urination, lowers uric acid levels, and protects kidney function, further supporting its role in dampness elimination.

Shu also recommends maintaining a regular diet, staying active, and getting sunlight, as these practices can help the body expel dampness.

Sweating during exercise helps remove dampness from the skin and muscle layers, but it is important not to overexert yourself—light sweating is usually sufficient. Getting 30 minutes to an hour of sunlight can also help the body expel dampness, though the ideal duration varies by individual.

Note: Some herbs mentioned in this article may be unfamiliar, but they are generally available in health and Asian grocery stores. Treatment methods may vary depending on the individual. Please consult with a health care professional for a specific treatment plan.