From the perspective of traditional Chinese medicine, dampness is the source of all evils in the body. Once there is an excessive amount of dampness in the body, it is like a time bomb buried inside. If dampness is not promptly removed and allowed to wreak havoc in the body, it can pose significant health risks. Of course, dampness is not just a random occurrence; it is closely related to our daily dietary habits. What is most concerning is that almost everyone in modern urban areas tends to have some degree of excessive dampness. As we are currently in the spring season, when yang qi gradually rises, failure to timely expel dampness from the body might result in feeling drowsy, weak all over, and lackluster in everything. Therefore, for the sake of good health, it is advisable to avoid consuming these “humidifier-like” foods, no matter how tempting they may seem!
1. Fried Foods
Recently, due to the impact of the novel coronavirus, many people have been idle at home, leading to a surge in exploring the world of food, with fried foods being a favorite. Although fried foods are delicious, their high oil and calorie content is undeniable. When consumed, the fat content in the body gradually increases, leading to internal damp-heat, and symptoms such as oiliness on the face and internal heat. Therefore, it is best to refrain from consuming foods like fried chicken, fried dough sticks, and fried vegetables, as they may make your body feel excessively damp.
2. Raw and Cold Foods
When it comes to foods that can worsen internal dampness, raw and cold foods are always a topic of discussion. In fact, raw and cold foods inflict significant harm on the body, especially during the spring season. We know that the relationship between natural yang and yin energies is a delicate balance, and the spring season is when yang qi gradually becomes dominant. Consuming cooler foods at this time can easily impair the growth of yang qi in the body. Once the body’s yang qi is insufficient, it becomes difficult to dispel damp-cold qi from the body, eventually leading to damage to the Spleen and Stomach. Therefore, for good health, it is advisable to avoid overly cooling foods at this time, and it is best to refrain from consuming overly cold water.
3. High-Sugar Fruits
We all know that consuming fruits in moderation is beneficial for health. However, if not eaten correctly, it can exacerbate internal dampness. Common fruits such as mangoes, dragon fruits, pineapples, and persimmons have high sugar content, and some are categorized as cooling fruits. Excessive consumption of these fruits can aggravate internal damp-heat, hinder the expulsion of internal dampness, and be detrimental to health. Therefore, it is recommended to consume these fruits in moderation.
So, how can we expel internal dampness during the spring season? You can try the following two methods:
Soak your feet in Sichuan peppercorn or ginger water
Sichuan peppercorn and ginger are warm-hot ingredients that can help promote blood circulation and metabolism when used to soak your feet, facilitating the rapid elimination of internal dampness.
Make tea by steeping hawthorn and Cassia seeds together to drink
Hawthorn has the effect of reducing oiliness and clearing grease, while Cassia seeds can promote diuresis and relieve constipation. Drinking tea made from these two ingredients can accelerate the removal of waste from the body, completely expelling dampness.
In reality, many people suffer from excessive internal dampness due to their inability to control their diet. Therefore, to effectively expel internal dampness, the most crucial step is to control your diet. The above three types of foods that exacerbate internal dampness should be strictly avoided!
