Dampness

Dampness represents pathological accumulation of body fluids due to Spleen qi deficiency, excessive fluid intake, or environmental exposure to damp conditions. The pathomechanism involves impaired transformation and transportation of fluids, leading to turbid yin pathogen retention that obstructs qi movement and impairs yang qi function. This pattern forms the foundation for numerous complex disorders and frequently combines with other pathogenic factors.

Clinical Presentation

Heavy, tired sensation in head and body
Chest and epigastric fullness and oppression
Poor appetite with nausea or vomiting
Loose stools or diarrhea
Edema, particularly lower limbs
Turbid, scanty urination
Sticky, sweet taste in mouth
Thick, greasy tongue coating (white or yellow)
Slippery, moderate pulse or slippery, slow pulse

Pattern Differentiation

vs. Phlegm

Phlegm presents with more pronounced respiratory symptoms, expectoration of sputum, and subcutaneous nodules. Dampness shows greater digestive dysfunction, body heaviness, and fluid retention without respiratory focus. Phlegm tongue coating is thicker and more adherent.

vs. Spleen Qi Deficiency

Pure Spleen qi deficiency lacks the sticky, greasy tongue coating and heavy body sensation. Dampness includes distinct fluid retention signs and the characteristic oppressive, turbid symptoms. Spleen deficiency shows fatigue without the specific damp obstruction patterns.

vs. Water Retention (Shui Yin)

Water retention involves more severe edema with clear fluid accumulation and stronger urinary symptoms. Dampness presents with turbid, sticky fluid retention and pronounced digestive symptoms. Water retention pulse is more rapid and forceful compared to dampness slippery pulse.

Treatment Principle

Transform dampness, strengthen Spleen, promote urination, regulate qi movement

Formulas for Dampness in Our Catalog

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Related Patterns

Frequently Asked Questions

External dampness shows acute onset with pronounced body surface symptoms and environmental correlation. Internal dampness develops gradually with chronic digestive weakness and shows stronger Spleen deficiency signs including pale tongue body and weak pulse quality beneath the slippery characteristic.

Use aromatics when dampness presents with pronounced qi stagnation, chest oppression, and thick tongue coating. Apply bland diuretics when fluid retention and urinary dysfunction dominate with minimal qi constraint. Combined approach addresses both fluid accumulation and qi movement obstruction.

Dampness produces a slippery pulse that feels smooth and flowing but moderate in speed. This contrasts with water retention's rapid, slippery pulse and blood stasis's choppy, irregular quality. The dampness pulse lacks the floating quality of external pathogen patterns.

Cold-dampness maintains white, greasy coating with pale tongue body. Heat-dampness develops yellow, greasy coating with red tongue body and possible sticky texture. Pure dampness shows thick, greasy white coating with normal or slightly pale tongue body color.

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