Traditional Chinese Medicine Has Answers!

Environmental and dietary factors are very important in Chinese Medicine. My clinical treatments varies here in hot damp Florida from the treatments given by acupuncturists up North in cold or dry environments. In TCM, we understand that one similar symptom can be experienced for different reasons, so each treatment is individualized.

Here’s some basic information about herbs and acupuncture that treat hot and dry conditions.

1. Hot Syndrome:

Excess heat can cause many different types of issues.

• Fever, hot flashes. (Chronic immune issues, menopause)
• Restlessness and irritability (Insomnia, Anxiety, Hyperthyroid)
• Excessive thirst (dry mouth & eyes, dehydration)
• Red complexion, especially on the face (malar flush, bulbous nose)
• Rapid pulses (tachycardia, irregular beats, HBP)
• Dark urine (UTI, OAB)

Chinese Herbs Often Used with Other Herbs to Help Heat Conditions:

1. Chrysanthemum (Ju Hua):
   • Clears heat and benefits the eyes.
2. Mint (Bo He):
   • Disperses wind-heat and clears the head and eyes.
   • _{(Caution for men giving sperm samples)}
3. Forsythia (Lian Qiao):
   • Clears heat and toxins, particularly effective for early-stage fevers, flu.

Acupuncture Points: These points are used in combination with others, based on your individual constitution.

1. LI-11 (Quchi):
   • Clears heat, cools blood, and reduces inflammation in IBS.
2. LU-10 (Yuji):
   • Clears heat from the lungs and benefits dry coughs and sore throats from flu like illnesses.

Dietary Dos and Don’ts:

• Do: Consume cooling foods like cucumber, watermelon, and leafy greens.
• Don’t: Avoid spicy and greasy foods that contribute to heat.

2. Hot and Damp Syndrome:

When it’s hot AND damp, like a moldy bathroom, bacterial infection and inflammation occur.

• Inflammatory joint conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis
• Infections leading to fever and chronic infection and immune issues.
• Conditions associated with excess fluid retention and swelling.
• Metabolism and reproductive disorders.

Chinese Herbs:

1. Bamboo Shavings (Zhu Ru):
   • Clears heat and transforms phlegm-dampness.
2. Atractylodes (Cang Zhu):
   • Dries dampness and strengthens the spleen.
3. Poria Mushroom (Fu Ling):
   • Promotes urination and drains dampness.

Acupuncture Points:

1. SP-9 (Yuan Spring):
   • Clears dampness and strengthens the spleen.
2. ST-40 (Abundant Splendor):
   • Resolves phlegm and dampness.

Dietary Dos and Don’ts:

• Do: Include foods like bitter melon, celery, and barley that help clear dampness.
• Don’t: Avoid dairy, sugary, processed, fried and greasy foods that exacerbate dampness in the digestive system.

3. Hot and Dry Syndrome:

When the environment and diet leads to accumulated heat which dries out the body fluids, the situation has gotten more severe. The following issues can occur.

• Dehydration, infection and accumulations in bladder and kidneys
• Dry skin conditions like eczema or psoriasis
• Inflammatory bowel diseases causing dryness in the digestive tract

Chinese Herbs used in other combinations to treat various hot & dry diseases:

1. Mai Men Dong (Ophiopogon Root):
   • Nourishes yin and moistens dryness.
2. Sheng Di Huang (Rehmannia Root):
   • Generates fluids and clears heat.
3. Lu Gen (Phragmites Rhizome):
   • Clears heat and generates fluids.

Acupuncture Points used to help the body heal from dehydration:

1. KD-6 (Zhaohai):
   • Nourishes yin and benefits the throat.
2. HT-6 (Yinxi):
   • Clears heat and calms the mind.

Dietary Dos and Don’ts:

• Do: Consume foods with high water content like watermelon, cucumber, and soups.
• Don’t: Avoid spicy and hot foods that contribute to dryness.

These recommendations are general in nature, and it’s important to consult with a qualified TCM practitioner for personalized advice tailored to individual health conditions. Integrating TCM approaches with dietary modifications and acupuncture can offer a holistic approach to balance and well-being.