As spring arrives, although temperatures rise, the frequent rain can leave one feeling damp and uncomfortable. Traditional Chinese medicine believes this is a manifestation of excessive dampness in the body, which can be addressed by consuming foods that dispel dampness, such as those that strengthen the spleen and stomach, promote urination, and calm the mind. Additionally, massaging acupoints can help expel dampness. Below are some detailed traditional Chinese medicine dietary therapies for removing dampness:
1. Job's tears and red bean porridge
Job's tears, known as "Yi Yi Ren" in traditional Chinese medicine, is listed as a superior herb in the *Shennong Bencao Jing* (Shennong's Classic of Materia Medica). It can treat dampness-related ailments, benefit the intestines and stomach, strengthen the spleen and stomach, reduce edema, and with prolonged consumption, lighten the body and invigorate qi. Red beans, being red, are associated with the heart, thus they can nourish the heart and blood. Ancient texts record that "prolonged consumption makes one thin," meaning that regular consumption of red beans can also aid in weight loss. They also have significant effects in reducing swelling, promoting diuresis, and strengthening the spleen and stomach. Modern people often experience high levels of stress, leading to heart qi deficiency; irregular diets and lack of exercise result in spleen deficiency and dampness accumulation.
Benefits: For removing dampness, nourishing the heart, and strengthening the spleen and stomach, nothing beats Job's tears and red beans. Cooking them into porridge allows for optimal absorption of their beneficial components while minimizing the burden on the spleen and stomach.
2. Heat-clearing and dampness-removing soup
Ingredients: 250g Smilax glabra, 50g red adzuki beans, 250g kudzu root, 50g hyacinth beans, half a piece of dried tangerine peel, 8 bowls of water.
Instructions: Peel and cut the Smilax glabra into sections, peel and cut the kudzu root into chunks, put all the ingredients into a pot, bring to a boil, then simmer for 3 hours.
Suitable for clearing heat, removing dampness, and detoxifying.
3. Japanese and Chinese wet water
Ingredients: 30g kapok flowers, 30g frangipani flowers, 30g Job's tears, 30g sophora japonica flowers, 100g lean pork, 30g stir-fried hyacinth beans, 12g dried tangerine peel or cardamom.
Instructions: Wash the kapok flowers, frangipani flowers, sophora japonica flowers, lean meat, Job's tears, stir-fried hyacinth beans, and dried tangerine peel or cardamom, and place them in a clay pot. Add an appropriate amount of water, bring to a boil over high heat, then simmer over low heat for 1 hour. Suitable for those with damp-heat and spleen deficiency.
4. Grass turtle dehumidifying soup
Ingredients: 500g turtle, 200g pork, 250g fresh Smilax glabra, 6 red dates.
Instructions: Put the pork, turtle, Smilax glabra, and red dates into a clay pot and simmer for 3 to 4 hours.
Efficacy: It has the functions of clearing heat, removing dampness and detoxifying.
5. Quail Soup to Remove Dampness
Ingredients: 4 quails, 50 grams each of Job's tears and lily bulbs, 3 slices of ginger.
Instructions: Place Job's tears, quail, lily bulbs, and ginger in a clay pot, add an appropriate amount of water, and simmer for 1.5 hours.
Suitable for clearing heat and dampness, moistening the lungs and resolving phlegm.
6. Spleen-strengthening and dampness-removing soup
Ingredients: 10g dried Chinese yam, 10g *Poria cocos*, 10g *Pork pancreas*, 300g pork pancreas, and appropriate amount of water.
Instructions: Wash the Chinese yam, angelica sinensis, smilax glabra, and pork liver and place them in a clay pot. Add an appropriate amount of water and bring to a boil. Then simmer over low heat for 1 hour before drinking.
Suitable for people with poor spleen and stomach function.
