01 What is Cold and Dampness? An overabundance of cold and dampness is the root cause of many illnesses. Among the six pathogenic factors—wind, cold, heat, dampness, dryness, and fire—Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) particularly fears dampness. Dampness is the easiest to permeate the body. Dampness never acts alone; it always combines with other pathogenic factors. When dampness meets cold, it becomes cold-dampness.

Signs of Cold and Dampness in the Body: A pale, blue, dark, or black complexion may indicate the presence of cold in the body. The darker the color, the heavier the cold-dampness.

● A white tongue coating indicates cold-dampness in the body.

● Recurrent oral ulcers indicate cold-dampness in the body.

● White tongue coating accompanying bad breath indicates cold-dampness in the body.

● Clear and thin phlegm when coughing indicates cold-dampness in the body.

● Clear nasal discharge indicates cold-dampness in the body.

● Cool sweat indicates cold-dampness in the body.

● Frequent sneezing, especially in the morning or when exposed to wind, indicates cold-dampness in the body.

● Feeling cold all over when having a fever indicates cold-dampness in the body.

● Frequent abdominal pain and diarrhea indicate cold-dampness in the body.

● Chronic cold hands and feet indicate cold-dampness in the body.

● Swollen ankles indicate kidney deficiency and cold.

● Persistent joint pain, neck and shoulder pain, shoulder periarthritis, back pain, etc., indicate cold-dampness in the body. The more areas affected and the longer the duration, the heavier the cold-dampness in the body.

02 It's Time to Eliminate Cold and Dampness—Don't Miss This Opportunity

The best strategy is to leverage external heat by using moxibustion to unblock meridians and help the body expel cold-dampness. Drinking some warming teas can also boost your body's energy and assist in eliminating cold-dampness.

Pu'er Ripened Tea:

The simplest way to eliminate dampness is to steep a pot of aged ripened Pu'er tea and drink it slowly until your hands and feet feel warm and there is a light sweat on your forehead and back.

The rich aroma of tea surrounds you like a natural sauna. How could dampness still exist within you?

Oolong Tea:

Most people with excessive dampness have suboptimal spleen and stomach function. In such cases, you can choose Oolong Tea, which is a warming and stomach-nourishing tea. Although the effect of eliminating dampness may not be immediate, regular consumption is effective.

Barley Tea:

Barley tea is superb for eliminating dampness. Buy barley from the supermarket, soak and rinse it clean, then air-dry it. Place it in a pot over low heat and stir continuously.

Continue until the barley changes color and its aroma is released, then turn off the heat and let it cool. Boil water, add the roasted barley, and simmer for 15 minutes before turning off the heat. You can now serve it in cups.

On a cloudy day, holding a steaming cup of barley tea, the rich flavor slides into your mouth with a mature sweetness. What a delight.

Ginger Red Tea:

Without a doubt, this is the top choice. Drinking ginger red tea in damp-cold weather is like soaking in a hot bath on a cold day.

The preparation method is simple: just add a few slices of ginger to boiling red tea and drink it.

Goji and Job's Tears Tea:

300 grams of job's tears, a handful of goji berries, 2-3 jujubes, an appropriate amount of rock sugar and water. Pick out impurities from the job's tears, rinse them with water, and drain them dry;

Place the job's tears in a flat-bottomed pan (no oil needed), turn on low heat, and stir-fry the job's tears until they release their aroma, then turn off the heat.

Cut the jujubes in half or make slits and place them in a Teapot. Add a small handful of goji berries. If you prefer a sweet taste, add a few pieces of rock sugar. Add the roasted job's tears, pour in boiling water, and steep for 5-10 minutes before drinking.

Job's tears has diuretic and de-swelling effects, helps strengthen the spleen and eliminate dampness, soothes muscles and joints, and clears heat and pus. It is commonly used as a diuretic and dehumidifying herb. Goji and job's tears tea nourishes the liver, improves vision, and eliminates dampness, making it suitable for spring health preservation.

To adjust the problem of dampness, one must persistently continue the effort and adjust daily habits.

In general, if you have excessive dampness, you should take it seriously, as dampness can significantly impact health.

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