Used with permission from Zang Fu Syndromes, By McDonald and
Penner.
* Etiology
* Clinical Manifestations
* Complications
* Associated Western Conditions
* Differential Diagnosis
* Treatment Principle
* Common Acupuncture Points
* Common Herbal Formulae
Overindulgence in cold, raw food
and drinks, and fruit and tea damages SP Yang, reducing SP's ability
to transform and transport Fluids, which leads to Damp Stagnation.
Further, the SP Yang Xu condition is Cold.
Environmental Dampness such as
wearing drenched clothes and shoes after walking in the rain, perspiring
heavily or otherwise getting wet.
External Dampness due to living
in damp places damages SP.
Distention and fullness of epigastrium
and abdomen Borborygmus
Nausea / vomiting Lassitude
Anorexia Yin jaundice
Loose stools Heavy head
Reduced sensation of taste Maybe edema
No thirst or preference for hot drinks Maybe copious white vaginal
discharge
Sticky sensation in mouth Maybe cold limbs, fear of cold, feeling
chilled
T: Pink
C:Thick, white and greasy or sticky
P: Deep and slow
Only when Dampness ascends to the
head do symptoms of heavy head, reduced sensation of taste, sticky
sensation in mouth and no thirst or preference for hot drinks occur.
In such cases the tongue coating is sticky.
Associated Western Conditions
Acute or chronic gastroenteritis Acute or chronic
bacterial dysentery
Chronic hepatitis Cirrhosis of the liver
Cold-Damp Distresses SP may be differentiated
from Damp-Heat in SP / ST by the differences between Cold-Damp and
Damp-Heat such as:
| Cold-Damp |
Damp-Heat |
| T: Pink |
T: Pink |
| C: Thick, white and greasy or sticky |
C: Thick, yellow and greasy or sticky |
| P: Deep and slow |
P: Soft and rapid |
| Lack of taste |
Sweet or bitter taste |
Warm Cold, Transform Dampness, Harmonize
ST and Strengthen SP.
| Common Acupuncture
Points |
To Strengthen SP and Disperse
Dampness:
SP9 (Yinlingquan) - Used more often
for Damp Heat.
ST36 (Zusanli)
SP6 (Sanyinjiao)
UB20 (Pishu)
REN12 (Zhongwan)
To Regulate Qi and Disperse
Dampness:
REN6 (Qihai) -
To warm, use moxibustion either as warm needle or moxa cones on
a ginger slice. The moxa box is also good for abdominal use. Moxibustion
can be used on any of the above points. Other points are selected
according to signs and symptoms. For instance:
Cold-Damp Dysentery:
ST25 (Tianshu)
ST37 (Shangjushu)
CO4 (Hegu)
*REN12 (Zhongwan)
*REN6 (Qihai)
*SP6 (Sanyinjiao)
Cold-Damp Vaginal Discharge:
DU26 (Daimai)
UB30 (Baihuanshu)
*REN6 (Qihai)
*SP6 (Sanyinjiao)
REN4 (Guanyuan)
*ST36 (Zusanli)
Cold-Damp Diarrhea:
ST25 (Tianshu)
UB25 (Dachangshu)
ST37 (Shangjushu)
*ST36 (Zusanli)
*REN12 (Zhongwan)
*REN6 (Qihai)
Cold-Damp Jaundice (Yin
Jaundice):
*SP9 (Yinlingquan)
*ST36 (Zusanli)
GB24 (Riyue)
UB19 (Danshu)
UB48 (Yanggang)
DU9 (Zhiyang)
*UB20 (Pishu)
*LIV13 (Zhangmen)
*Points which have specific actions
on Dampness.
SP3 (Taibai) and SP5 (Shangqiu)
are also sometimes used to Strengthen SP and disperse Dampness,
but are less frequently used than the above points.
Wei Ling Tang / Decoction to Dispel
Dampness in the Spleen and Stomach
Yin Chen Si Ni Tang / Artemisia
Yinchenhao Decoction for Frigid Extremities
[Return
to Spleen Index]
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