Damp-heat syndrome

The purpose of treatment is not only to eliminate pathogenic factors, but also to strengthen the body s resistance, to maintain and improve the physical condition and constitution, to harmonize the Yin, Yang, Qi and blood, to re-establish the balance of the body, and to achieve a healthy mind and body. For example, to treat a bacterial infection, which often infers a damp-heat syndrome in TCM differentiation, the aim of treatment is not to kill the bacteria, but to eliminate damp-heat, promote the function of the Spleen and fortify the body s resistance, thereby restoring health. 

Zhi Gan Cao, as in the other conditions of internal heat syndrome, can be used in the formula to harmonize and moderate the functions of herbs and to protect the Stomach. However, in a damp-heat syndrome of the Lower-Jiao, Zhi Gan Cao - which has a tendency to retain dampness because of its sweet nature - should be used with caution. 

In the diagnosis, the syndrome of dampness can be divided into damp-cold syndrome and damp-heat syndrome, which are decided by constitution and dietary habit of the individual, as well as the nature of the pathogenic factors. The treatment principles and the strategies of composing formulas are quite different in these two types. For clarity, these two syndromes are discussed separately. 

Qin Jiao is pungent, bitter and neutral, and primarily enters the Stomach and Large Intestine meridians. Pungent can disperse the dampness, and bitterness can drain and dry the dampness. In particular, this herb expels the dampness from the subcutaneous region and the muscles and can therefore relax the tendons and muscles. It can be used as chief in a formula to expel dampness in the Upper-Jiao. Since it is a neutral herb, it can be used in either damp-cold or damp-heat syndrome. 

Damp-heat syndrome is a very complicated condition. It is often caused by external damp-heat and is seen frequently in damp-febrile disease, referred to as Shi Re Bing in Chinese. 

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