“According to the law of ‘similar transformation,’ a guest will tend to transform according to the nature of the host—this applies equally to political diplomacy, military invasion, and medicine. Since the human host is alive and therefore Yang and warm, any guest—such as Dampness—will over time take on this Heat. The acupuncture point Spleen 9 is the foremost point on the Spleen channel for transforming and draining excess Dampness and Damp-Heat.” —P. Deadman
- being triggered by minor events and loosing one’s cool
- dryness or thirst without desire or ability to drink
- feeling of heat in stomach or chest
- nauseating taste in the mouth
- sticky, greasy, thick yellow tongue coating
- fever or heat not relieved by perspiring or drinking
- loose or sticky stool streaked with mucus or pus
- burning, red, oozing sores, boils, pimples, blisters or rashes
- increase of symptoms from heat and/or humidity
- feeling worst after eating sweet, spicy or oily foods
The signs and symptoms above point to a diagnosis of Excess Damp Heat. Chinese medicine always evaluates the relationship between the different, opposing and complementary Qi circulating in the body: Cold and Heat, Dryness and Dampness, etc. In many instances, these energies join forces. A common and frequent pairing is that of Damp and Heat. Draining Dampness and clearing Heat—often through the urine and the bowels—is essential in order to restore good health.
When Spleen-Qi is weak, Dampness accumulates. Cold, raw, and greasy foods, eating at irregular times, eating too much or too little, diets poor in protein and nutritious value, eating when stressed out—all weaken Spleen Qi. Excessive greasy and spicy foods, most forms of alcohol, many recreational drugs, insufficient rest, too much caffeine, and intense emotional stress, all create Excess Heat. Balancing and readjusting one’s diet and lifestyle are of utmost importance when fortifying the Energy of the Spleen.