Expel Dampness — herbs and formulas (祛湿剂)

Dampness is one of the commonest pathogenic factors in modern UK practice — reflecting damp climate, diet rich in dairy and refined carbohydrate, and sedentary lifestyle. Damp-resolving formulas are divided by where and how the Damp is expressed.

Sub-categories

1. Aromatically transform Damp — Ping Wei San, Huo Xiang Zheng Qi San
2. Drain Damp via urination — Wu Ling San, Zhu Ling Tang
3. Clear Damp-Heat — Yin Chen Hao Tang, Ba Zheng San, Si Miao San
4. Warm and transform Cold-Damp — Ling Gui Zhu Gan Tang
5. Expel Wind-Damp — Du Huo Ji Sheng Tang

Herbs in this category

The following individual herbs belong to this category in the Chinese Materia Medica:

Aromatic herbs that transform Damp

• Bai Dou Kou (Round Cardamom)
• Cang Zhu (Atractylodes Rhizome)
• Cao Dou Kou (Grass Cardamom Seed)
• Hou Po (Magnolia Bark)
• Huo Xiang (Agastache / Patchouli)
• Pei Lan (Eupatorium)
• Sha Ren (Amomum Fruit)

Herbs that drain Dampness (via urination)

• Che Qian Zi (Plantain seed / Asiatic plantain seed)
• Deng Xin Cao (Juncus / Rush Pith)
• Fu Ling (Poria (Tuckahoe / China Root))
• Yi Yi Ren (Job's Tears seed / Coix seed)
• Ze Xie (Water Plantain Rhizome (Alisma))

Herbs that expel Wind-Damp

• Du Huo (Pubescent Angelica root)
• Mu Gua (Chinese Quince Fruit)
• Sang Ji Sheng (Mulberry Mistletoe / Loranthus)
• Wei Ling Xian (Clematis Root)

Formulas in this category

The following classical and modern formulas in this category are detailed individually in the formula directory:

1. Ping Wei San — Spleen-Stomach Damp stagnation
2. Huo Xiang Zheng Qi San — summer-damp invasion
3. Wu Ling San — Triple Burner fluid disorder
4. Zhu Ling Tang — Damp-Heat with Yin deficiency
5. Wei Ling Tang — cold-Damp diarrhoea
6. Ba Zheng San — Bladder Damp-Heat (UTI)
7. San Ren Tang — damp-warmth at all three burners
8. Du Huo Ji Sheng Tang — chronic Wind-Damp-Bi
9. Juan Bi Tang — Wind-Damp Bi syndrome

Browse the full formula directory for over 260 individual formula pages.

When this category is used

Formulas that Expel Dampness are typically prescribed for: oedema, urinary tract infections, gout, vaginal discharge, sticky bowel motions, rheumatic pain, damp skin conditions. The choice of specific formula within the category is determined by precise Eight Principles pattern differentiation in clinical consultation.

About prescribing

Chinese herbal formulas are dispensed by qualified practitioners following individual TCM diagnosis. The herbs I prescribe are pharmaceutical-grade granules from Sun Ten in Taiwan, tested to the highest international quality and safety standards. Online consultations are available throughout the UK and worldwide.

Return to the Chinese herbal medicine main page or browse individual herbs.