How to Manage Constipation Caused by Dampness?
Many people suffer from excessive dampness, which can lead to various health issues such as constipation, obesity, eczema, and others. Prolonged dampness in the body can contribute to a state of sub-health. In traditional Chinese medicine, it is said that "cold is easy to dispel, but dampness is difficult to remove," highlighting the challenges associated with treating excessive dampness.
Certain foods such as red beans and barley can help eliminate dampness, but it requires consistent consumption. One can drink red bean and barley tea or prepare them as a porridge. Both methods are effective for removing dampness. Additionally, here are some recommended methods for managing constipation due to dampness:
Pharmacological Treatment:
- Dampness obstructing the gastrointestinal tract: The treatment involves clearing dampness and promoting qi flow to facilitate bowel movements. Prescriptions such as Pingwei San can be used, and for those with qi stagnation, additional herbs like betel nut, wild garlic, radish seed, and citrus aurantium peel can be added to promote qi flow and dispel dampness.
- Damp-heat obstructing the gastrointestinal tract: Lianpo Yin can be modified to clear heat and resolve dampness, with the addition of citrus aurantium peel, betel nut, and radish seed to promote qi flow, dispel dampness, and facilitate bowel movements.
- Qi deficiency with dampness obstructing the gastrointestinal tract: The treatment aims to tonify qi, resolve dampness, and promote bowel movements. Prescriptions like Xiangsha Liujun Tang can be used.
Symptomatic Treatment:
Kaisailu, an external application, can temporarily relieve constipation symptoms. The container's top should be punctured or cut open, and a small amount of lubricant applied. The applicator should then be inserted slowly into the anus, and the medication squeezed into the rectum. The recommended dosage is one applicator for adults and half an applicator for children.
Dietary Therapy:
Red bean and coix porridge can be made by combining 20g of small red beans or red beans, 10g of coix seed, 10g of yam, 10g of poria cocos, 10g of tangerine peel, and 5g of amomum fruit. All ingredients should be placed in a pot, filled with water, and simmered for one hour before consumption. Consuming this porridge regularly can effectively alleviate constipation symptoms.
Tea Therapy:
Burdock root tea can be made by steeping 5-8 slices of burdock root in boiling water and drinking repeatedly. The daily dosage should not exceed 10g.
Moxibustion Therapy:
Moxibustion can be applied to specific acupuncture points such as Changqiang, Yinlingquan, and Qihai. Each session should last 15-20 minutes, and it is recommended to perform this therapy twice weekly. Moxibustion can help stimulate the body's natural excretion functions and relieve constipation symptoms.
Recipe for Brown Rice and Coix Porridge:
- Wash the brown rice and coix thoroughly.
- Place the washed brown rice and coix in an electric rice cooker, add an appropriate amount of water (you can add more water for a soupier texture), and set the cooker to cook for one hour.
- After one hour, turn off the power, let the porridge cool for a while, and then enjoy.
