Sluggish Digestion due to dampness in the body

​Damp is a term used in Traditional Chinese Medicine when the fluids of the body aren’t being transformed correctly, leading to a buildup that can settle in and make itself at home in almost any area of the body. This, in turn, can lead to a wide array of mental and physical issues. 

All about the Spleen
It’s the function of the Spleen Ki (energy) to transform fluids. So failure of the Spleen Ki to transform fluids can result in the accumulation of dampness.

A few things that can have a negative effect on the spleen are lack of exercise, worrying and overthinking, poor diet, aging, irregular eating and drinking, eating too many sweets and refined sugars, too much fatty and fried foods, eating too much cold and raw foods. 

Overeating and eating too many hard-to-digest foods in particular can also cause food stagnation and this will damage the spleen further.

Living in a damp environment can also add to the dampness in our bodies.

Signs of Dampness
Here are some signs that you may have too much dampness:

• weight gain
• foggy head
• loose stools
• bloating
• swelling in the body
• frequent yeast infections or excessive vaginal discharge
• feeling of heaviness in the body
• nasal congestion
• cough with phlegm
• nausea
• dizziness when you stand up
• thick greasy tongue coating
• Teeth marks on the edges of the tongue: spleen deficiency and sluggish digestion

Eliminating Dampness
How to get rid of excess dampness in the body:

• eat warm cooked foods
• avoid raw and cold foods
• move your body daily and get moderate exercise
• limit dairy intake
• have plenty of soups, stews and broths in your diet
• avoid refined sugars
• limit greasy deep fried foods
• add ginger to your tea’s and foods (ginger helps to dry dampness)
• Limit alcohol
• chew your food well
• avoid mental stimulation while eating (reading, studying) – instead try to relax while eating meals
• don’t drink cold liquids with meals
• don’t get overly full when eating

So there we have it! A better understanding of what causes dampness and the signs, and ways to eliminate it from your body.  For a proper diagnosis of your symptoms you may be experiencing, book in for a Shiatsu massage. Receiving Shiatsu is a great way to rebalance your spleen energy by helping you ground, relax and calm the mind.

book an appointment