Improving Digestion and Diet: Dampness

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A patient diagnosed with dampness may have some or all of the following symptoms:

fatigue, body heaviness, sluggishness

excess weight

cysts, tumors

yeast infections

bloating and gas

unclear thinking

chronic sinus infections

cloudy urine

foul smelling stools

thick tongue coating

The digestive system is slowed down by foods that are damp in nature. Dietary changes for patients diagnosed with dampness help “dry out” the system. In general, it is recommended that a patient eats foods that are warm and cooked, and plenty of vegetables, soups and stews. Grains should be well cooked and easily digestible. It is best to minimize:

raw salads

pork

buckwheat

very sweet sticky fruits like melons, pears, bananas

dairy products

sugar and sweets

cold drinks with meals

alcohol, especially beer

artificial sweeteners

chilled, frozen foods and liquids

coffee, caffeine and other stimulants

Recommended foods that dry dampness are lettuce, celery, turnip, kohlrabi, rye, amaranth, aduki bean, wild blue-green micro-algae, asparagus, white pepper, alfalfa, pumpkin, vinegar, papaya and bitter herbs such as chaparral, pau d’arco, valerian, and chamomile.

Information in part from “Healing with Whole Foods” by Paul Pitchford