Dampness and Phlegm Accumulation:

Description: TCM considers the accumulation of dampness and phlegm as a potential cause of lymphatic issues. This can lead to stagnation and obstruction in the body’s channels, affecting the flow of fluids, including blood and lymph. It’s caused by poor diet, lack of exercise, overuse of anti-biotics, living in hot damp environments.

Common Symptoms:

• Feeling heavy or lethargic
• Edema or water retention
• Foggy-headedness
• Excessive mucus or phlegm
• Digestive issues, such as bloating

Acupuncture Therapy: Acu-Points along the lung and spleen channels help expel phlegm and damp.

Example Herbal Formula: Er Chen Tang (Two Cured Decoction): dries dampness

Dietary Dos: Eat plenty of:

• Warm, Cooked Foods: Include warm, cooked foods in your diet, like soups and stews. Cooking helps to eliminate excess dampness.
• Herbs and Spices: Incorporate herbs and spices with drying properties, such as ginger, garlic, and cinnamon.
• Bitter Foods: Bitter foods like bitter melon can help to counteract dampness. Check out this blog on healing with bitter foods.

Dietary Don’ts: Avoid consuming:

• Dairy and Cold Foods: Avoid or minimize dairy products and cold/raw foods as they may contribute to dampness.
• Processed and Sugary Foods: Reduce processed and sugary foods, as they can exacerbate damp conditions.
• Excessive Damp Foods: Limit foods that are inherently damp, such as dairy, greasy foods, and excessive sweets.

Spleen Qi Deficiency:

Description: The spleen in TCM is responsible for transforming and transporting fluids in the body. If the spleen’s Qi (energy) is deficient, it may result in poor fluid metabolism, leading to issues like fluid retention and compromised lymphatic function. It’s caused by poor diet, lack of exercise, excessive worry and erratic eating schedules. Living in hot damp or cold damp environments aggravate symptoms.

Common Symptoms:

• Fatigue
• Weakness in limbs
• Poor appetite
• Loose stools or diarrhea
• Easily bruised

• Example Formula: Si Jun Zi Tang (Four Gentlemen Decoction) Boosts Spleen
• Dietary Dos:
  • Warm, Nourishing Foods: Consume warm, nourishing foods like soups, cooked grains, and stews to support the spleen.
  • Root Vegetables: Incorporate root vegetables like sweet potatoes and carrots for sweet nourishing earth energy.
  • Food Enzymes & Probiotics: Use enzymes and Probiotics to aid digestion and to breakdown nutrients more efficiently. Check out this blog on the importance of Probiotics.
• Dietary Don’ts:
  • Cold Foods: Avoid consuming cold or raw foods, as they can weaken the spleen.
  • Excessive Damp Foods: Minimize damp-producing foods, such as cold, raw, greasy, excessively sweet and dairy, to support the spleen.
  • Overeating: Avoid overeating, especially at night, as it can strain the spleen’s digestive function and divert the liver from filtering duties. Learn about the Daylight Diet by clicking here.

Blood Stasis

Description: TCM identifies the importance of smooth blood circulation for overall health. Blood stasis refers to a condition where blood doesn’t flow smoothly, and this stagnation may impact the lymphatic system’s ability to function optimally. This happens after chronic illness, prolonged periods of lack of exercise, poor diets over long periods of time, genetic factors, and long standing emotional problems.

Common Symptoms:

• Sharp or stabbing pain
• Dark or purplish discoloration of the skin
• Varicose veins
• Menstrual clots or pain
• Cold extremities

Acupuncture: Known for increasing circulation of blood and energy, acupuncture and cupping are TCM therapies that move stagnant blood inside the body.

Example Herbal Formula: Tao Hong Si Wu Tang (Peach Kernel and Four Substance Decoction), treats poor blood circulation that causes internal pain.

Dietary Dos:

• Anti-Inflammatory Foods: Include foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, such as flaxseeds and walnuts, to support blood circulation. Check out this blog for more information. 
• Dark Leafy Greens: Incorporate dark leafy greens like spinach and kale, which are high in iron and support blood health.
• Citrus Fruits: Consume citrus fruits rich in vitamin C to promote blood vessel health.

Dietary Don’ts:

• Processed Foods: Avoid processed foods and excessive consumption of red meat, which may contribute to inflammation.
• Sedentary Lifestyle: Reduce prolonged periods of inactivity; engage in regular exercise to promote blood flow.
• Excessive Alcohol: Minimize alcohol consumption, as excessive alcohol can contribute to blood stasis.

Wei Qi Deficiency:

Description: Wei Qi, like an immunity shield, is the protective energy that circulates on the surface of the body, defending against external pathogens. If Wei Qi is deficient, it might affect the body’s ability to combat infections and maintain a healthy lymphatic and immune system. Indoor air, poor genes, poor diet and lack of exercise contribute.

Common Symptoms:

• Frequent colds or infections
• Fatigue
• Shortness of breath
• Spontaneous sweating
• Allergies or sensitivities to environmental factors

Acupuncture: Acu-Points like LI4, CV6, and ST 36 can offer protection.

Example Formula: Yu Ping Feng San (Jade Windscreen Powder)

Dietary Dos:

• Immune-Boosting Foods: Include immune-boosting foods like garlic, ginger, and medicinal mushrooms.
• Warm Soups: Consume warm, nourishing soups to support the immune system.
• Adequate Sleep: Ensure sufficient, quality sleep to promote the body’s immune function.

Don’ts:

• Excessive Cold Foods: Minimize excessive consumption of cold or raw foods, which can weaken the immune system.
• Overexertion: Avoid overexertion and excessive physical or mental stress, which can deplete Wei Qi.
• Inadequate Rest: Ensure adequate rest and avoid pushing the body beyond its limits.

Kidney Yang Deficiency:

Description: In TCM, the kidneys are associated with the transformation of fluids and the regulation of water metabolism. Kidney Yang deficiency may contribute to water retention and compromise lymphatic circulation. Common causes are aging, poor diet, sexual immoderation, side effects of medicines, and plunging too much.

Common Symptoms:

• Feeling cold, especially in the lower back
• Fatigue
• Weak or achy knees
• Frequent urination, especially clear and copious
• Low libido

Acupuncture Therapy: Certain Acu-Points on the ankles and back help restore functions associated with Kidney Yang.

Example Herbal Formula: Jin Gui Shen Qi Wan (Kidney Qi Pill from the Golden Cabinet)

Dietary Dos:

• Warm Foods: Prioritize warm, cooked foods to support the kidneys and yang energy.
• Nourishing Soups: Consume nourishing soups with bone broth and root vegetables.
• Moderate Salty Foods: Include moderate amounts of salty foods to support the kidneys.

Dietary Don’ts:

• Excessive Cold Drinks: Avoid excessive consumption of cold drinks, as they can weaken the kidneys.
• Highly Processed Foods: Minimize highly processed foods and excessive intake of caffeine, which can deplete kidney energy.
• Excessive Stress: Reduce stress and find stress management techniques to support overall kidney health.

Wind-Damp Invasion:

Description: External factors like wind (virus) and dampness (bacteria) in TCM can invade the body, causing blockages and disrupting the smooth flow of Qi and fluids, potentially affecting the joints, the lymph pathways and the immune system. Caused by exposure to environmental factors, poor diet, and lack of exercise.

Common Symptoms:

• Joint pain that moves around
• Sensation of heaviness in the limbs
• Muscle stiffness
• Headache exacerbated by windy or damp weather
• Swelling in the affected joints

Acupuncture: Acu Points Like ST40, 36, CV6, LI4 & GB20 can help the body expel and recover from pathogens.

Common Formula: Qiang Huo Sheng Shi Tang (Notopterygium Decoction to Overcome Dampness)

Dietary Dos:

• Warming Foods: Include warming foods like ginger, garlic, and cinnamon to dispel wind-dampness.
• Spices: Use spices like cayenne pepper and turmeric, known for their warming and anti-inflammatory properties.

Dietary Don’ts:

• Cold and Damp Foods: Minimize consumption of cold and damp-producing foods, such as dairy and raw foods.
• Stagnant Lifestyle: Avoid a sedentary lifestyle; engage in regular exercise to promote the circulation of Qi and dispel dampness.
• Excessive Cooling Herbs: Reduce the intake of cooling herbs like peppermint, as they may exacerbate damp conditions.