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.
Thick greasy secretions can be the consequence of several so-called “patterns of disharmony” in Chinese Medicine.
Chinese Medicine sees the body as a system, not a sum of isolated parts. A "pattern" is when the system's harmony is disrupted, leading to symptoms or signs that something is wrong (like thick greasy secretions here). It is similar to the concept of disease in Western Medicine but not quite: a Western disease can often be explained by several Chinese patterns and vice-versa.
A pattern often manifests itself in a combination of symptoms that, at first glance, do not seem necessarily related to each others. For instance here thick greasy secretions is often associated with nausea, feeling of heaviness and numbness in the limbs in the pattern “Phlegm”.
Once identified, patterns are treated using medicinal herbs, acupuncture, and other therapies. In the case of thick greasy secretions we’ve identified two herbal formulas that may help treat patterns behind the symptom.
We’ve also selected below the five medicinal herbs that we think are most likely to help treat thick greasy secretions.
Phlegm, a "pattern of disharmony" that can cause thick greasy secretions
In Chinese Medicine thick greasy secretions is a symptom for the pattern "Phlegm". Below is a small explanation for it with links for more details.
Crow-Dipper Rhizomes (Ban Xia) is the king ingredient for Er Chen Tang, a formula used for Phlegm
Phlegm
Pulse type(s): Slippery (Hua), Wiry (Xian)
Tongue coating: Sticky coating, Thick coating
Tongue shape: Swollen
The concept of Phlegm is much wider and important in Chinese Medicine than in the West. Broadly speaking, Phlegm is a substance produced when the body fails to handle Body Fluids properly.
In addition to thick greasy secretions, other symptoms associated with Phlegm include nausea, feeling of heaviness and numbness in the limbs.
From a Western Medicine standpoint Phlegm is associated with health issues such as Low Breast Milk Supply, Late Menstruation or Scanty Menstruation.
Phlegm is often treated with Er Chen Tang, a herbal formula made of 5 herbs (including Crow-Dipper Rhizomes - Ban Xia - as a key herb). Er Chen Tang belongs to the category of "formulas that dry dampness and transform phlegm", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Dries Damp and dispels Phlegm".
Two herbal formulas that might help with thick greasy secretions
Wu Ling San
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 5 herbs
Key actions: Promotes urination,. Warms the Yang. Strengthens the Spleen. Promotes Qi transformation function. Drains Dampness. Clears edema.
Why might Wu Ling San help with thick greasy secretions?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Phlegm' of which thick greasy secretions is a symptom.
Other symptoms characteristic of Phlegm include nausea, feeling of heaviness and numbness in the limbs.
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).
Why might Er Chen Tang help with thick greasy secretions?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Phlegm' of which thick greasy secretions is a symptom.
Other symptoms characteristic of Phlegm include nausea, feeling of heaviness and numbness in the limbs.
The five Chinese Medicinal herbs most likely to help treat thick greasy secretions
Why might Poria-Cocos Mushroom (Fu Ling) help with thick greasy secretions?
Because Poria-Cocos Mushroom is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat thick greasy secretions as a symptom, like Wu Ling San or Er Chen Tang for instance.
Poria-Cocos Mushrooms is a Neutral herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Spleen, the Heart, the Kidney and the Lung.
Its main actions are: Encourages urination and drains Dampness. Tonic to the Spleen/Stomach. Assists the Heart and calms the Spirit.
Why might Crow-Dipper Rhizome (Ban Xia) help with thick greasy secretions?
Because Crow-Dipper Rhizome is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat thick greasy secretions as a symptom, like Er Chen Tang or Ban Xia Bai Zhu Tian Ma Tang for instance.
Crow-Dipper Rhizomes is a Warm herb that tastes Pungent. It targets the Spleen, the Stomach and the Lung.
Its main actions are: Drains Dampness and reduces Phlegm. Reverses the flow of Rebellious Qi. Reduces hardenings and relieves distention.
Why might Fresh Ginger (Sheng Jiang) help with thick greasy secretions?
Because Fresh Ginger is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat thick greasy secretions as a symptom, like Er Chen Tang or Ban Xia Bai Zhu Tian Ma Tang for instance.
Fresh Ginger is a Warm herb that tastes Pungent. It targets the Spleen, the Stomach and the Lung.
Its main actions are: Relieves the Exterior and disperses Cold. Warms and circulates Qi in the Middle Burner. Calms a restless fetus and treats morning sickness. Treats seafood poisoning.
Why might Jujube Date (Da Zao) help with thick greasy secretions?
Because Jujube Date is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat thick greasy secretions as a symptom, like Ban Xia Bai Zhu Tian Ma Tang or Wen Dan Tang for instance.
Jujube Dates is a Warm herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Spleen and the Stomach.
Its main actions are: Tonifies the Spleen and Stomach Qi. Tonifies the Blood. Calms the Shen (spirit). Moderates the actions of other herbs in formula.
Why might Atractylodes Rhizome (Bai Zhu) help with thick greasy secretions?
Because Atractylodes Rhizome is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat thick greasy secretions as a symptom, like Liu Jun Zi Tang or Ban Xia Bai Zhu Tian Ma Tang for instance.
Atractylodes Rhizomes is a Warm herb that tastes Bitter and Sweet. It targets the Spleen and the Stomach.
Its main actions are: Tonifies the Spleen Qi. Fortifies the Spleen Yang and dispels Damp through urination. Tonifies Qi and stops sweating. Calms restless fetus when due to Deficiency of Spleen Qi.
Other symptoms often associated with thick greasy secretions
Nausea Feeling of heaviness Numbness in the limbs Lumps Nodules Tumors Delirium Obesity Overweight Feeling of oppression of the chest