Disharmony of Dampness in the body

Dampness is one of the six pernicious influences on the health of the body within the Chinese medical framework. Dampness is like Cold, but may be distinguished by heaviness and protraction whereas Cold is sharp, sudden and intense. The nature of Dampness is to sink and accumulate. It appears as swelling and a sense of fullness and heaviness, locally or throughout the body. because of its tendency to collect and coagulate, Dampness easily causes stagnation and obstruction of circulation. Secretions are cloudy, thick or sticky rather than clear and watery.

As an external influence, Dampness obstructs the movement of Qi, producing fullness of chest or abdomen and incomplete urination or defaecation. It causes stiffness in the joints and heaviness in the limbs. The lower body is especially affected. The Spleen is especially sensitive to Dampness; signs of a distressed Spleen are loss of appetite, indigestion, nausea, diarrhoea and swollen abdomen. Spleen dysfunction may allow Fluids to accumulate, creating a state of internal Dampness, which is distinguished from external Dampness by arriving less suddenly and with less acuteness. Mucous (tan) is a form of internal Dampness.

Many respiratory illnesses are linked to internal dampness and phlegm. Dampness in the body can be classified into two types, each presenting distinct symptoms.
1. Cold-Dampness
Cold-dampness affects the respiratory system in stages, first entering through the nose, then moving to the trachea, and eventually reaching the lungs. In the early stages, symptoms may include a runny nose with clear mucus or a cough that produces clear phlegm.

2. Damp-Heat
Over time, cold-dampness can transform into damp-heat due to the body’s natural warmth and factors like inadequate water intake or a lack of vegetables in the diet.  Early signs of damp-heat include thick nasal discharge that appears yellow or green. The greener the mucus, the higher the internal heat. Similarly, phlegm from coughing may become thick and yellow or green, indicating the presence of significant heat along with dampness.