Damp-Phlegm
The information provided here is not a replacement for a doctor. You shouldn't use it for the purpose of self-diagnosing or self-medicating but rather so you can have a more informed discussion with a professional TCM practitioner.
At a glance
Preliminary reading: What is a pattern? The concept of Dampness The concept of Phelgm
Key attributes
Chinese name: 痰湿 Pinyin name: Tán Shī
Pattern nature: Full
Pattern hierarchy: General pattern with specific forms like Damp-Phlegm in the Uterus
Causes
Common causes: 1. External Wet, 2. Diet
Diagnosis
Common symptoms: Nausea Obesity No thirst Fat belly Overweight and five other symptoms
Pulse type(s): Slippery (Hua)
Tongue description: Swollen tongue with sticky white coating
Treatment
Treatment principle: Expel Dampness and Phlegm, tonify the Spleen Qi
Common formulas: Er Chen Tang Xiang Sha Liu Jun Zi Tang Shen Qi Wan
Pathology
This Phlegm is associated with or deriving from Dampness. The typical manifestation is profuse amount of white sticky sputum which is easy to spit as well as overweight. For these middle age men who develop big, fat and soft bellies, there are often some degree of Damp-Phlegm.
The pattern can be acute or chronic. In acute cases, it is normally caused by Wind invasion of the Lungs. If the patient's immune system is not strong enough to defense this Pernicious Evil, the patient then develops acute cough with profuse sputum.
In chronic cases, it is often the result of prolonged Spleen Qi Deficiency. It is because the Spleen is responsible for Body Fluids transformation and transportation. Kidney Qi Deficiency is also a cause, as the Kidneys control water circulation and balance Body Fluids in the body. They are the root of water metabolism in the body.
The Spleen and Kidneys dysfunction leads to Phlegm formation. Then it often gets stored in abdomen and causes a fat and soft belly.
Choose Er Chen Tang due to Lung Deficiency caused Damp-Phlegm. As for Spleen Qi Dysfunction, use Xiang Sha Liu Jun Zi Tang. For Kidneys related Damp-Phlegm, use Shen Qi Wan.
Causes
External Wet : Prolonged exposure to wet environment can cause this pattern.
Diet: Overconsumption of dairy, cold, raw, greasy or fat foods.
Diagnosing Damp-Phlegm
Diagnosing a pattern in Chinese Medicine is no easy feat and should be left to professional practitioners. In particular one has to know how to differentiate between different types of pulses and tongue coatings, shapes and colors as well as learn to read from a long list of seemingly unrelated symptoms.
Pulse type(s): Slippery (Hua)
Tongue description: Swollen tongue with sticky white coating
Main symptoms: Nausea Obesity No thirst Fat belly Overweight Swollen limbs Profuse white sputum Sticky taste in the mouth Epigastric focal distention Focal distention of the chest
Diagnosis commentary: Key characteristic symptoms of this pattern are the profuse white sticky sputum but easy to spit, chest and epigastric oppression as well as obesity, especially the fat on belly.
Treating Damp-Phlegm
Treatment principle
Expel Dampness and Phlegm, tonify the Spleen Qi
Herbal formulas used to treat Damp-Phlegm
Er Chen Tang
Source date: 1148 AD
Number of ingredients: 5 herbs
Key actions: Dries Damp and dispels Phlegm. Regulates Qi and harmonizes the Middle Burner (Stomach and Spleen).
Formula summary
Er Chen Tang is a 5-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula. Invented in 1148 AD, it belongs to the category of formulas that dry Dampness and transform Phlegm.
Besides Damp-Phlegm, Er Chen Tang is also used to treat Damp-Phlegm in the Lungs or Phlegm-Fluids.
Xiang Sha Liu Jun Zi Tang
Source date: 1675 AD
Number of ingredients: 9 herbs
Key actions: Tonifies Spleen and Stomach Qi. Removes Dampness. Moves Qi. Alleviates pain.
Formula summary
Xiang Sha Liu Jun Zi Tang is a 9-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula. Invented in 1675 AD, it belongs to the category of formulas that dispel Phlegm.
Besides Damp-Phlegm, Xiang Sha Liu Jun Zi Tang is also used to treat Damp-Phlegm in the Uterus or Stomach Deficiency.
Shen Qi Wan
Formula summary
Shen Qi Wan is a 8-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula. Invented in 220 AD, it belongs to the category of formulas that warm Yang and tonify.
Besides Damp-Phlegm, Shen Qi Wan is also used to treat Oedema or Kidney Yang Deficiency.
Diet recommendations
Try more physical exercises so as to have a better metabolism. Avoid fat and greasy foods. Avoid dairy, cold or raw foods. Avoid alcohol.