Draining Dampness

Herbs That Drain Damp

These herbs can treat 2 types of dampness. The first section is dampness causing edema and/or congested fluids in the chest and digestive system. These herbs are successful at treating edema below the waist in the lower extremities. Acute edema should be combined with herbs that release the exterior while chronic edema should be combined with herbs that tonify spleen and kidney Qi. The second section is dampness complicated with heat. With this disorder there will be heat signs of fever, burning sensation, yellow discharges with stagnation symptoms of distention and fullness. Lin syndrome (painful urination), Shi Wen (warm febrile disease), damp sores and Jaundice all fit under this category.

The main method of treatment is to induce dieresis so the excess heat will be drained out in the urine along with the excess water and fluids. These herbs must be used with caution and special care must be used to make sure yin deficiency does not occur.

Fu Ling Properties: SWEET, BLAND - NEUTRAL Dosage: 9 - 15g

Fungus Nucleus Meridian: HEART, SPLEEN, LUNG

-promotes urination , drains damp

-strengthen spleen, harmonize middle Jiao

-quiet’s heart and calms spirit

Zhu Ling Properties: BLAND – COOL Dosage: 6 - 15g

Fungus Nucleus Meridian: SPLEEN, KIDNEY, BLADDER

-promotes urination, drains damp (combine with Fu Ling)

-Yang jaundice – lin syndrome

Zu Xie Properties: SWEET, BLAND - COLD Dosage: 6 - 15g

Water Plantain Meridian: KIDNEY, BLADDER

Root -promote urination, drains damp in lower burner

-drain deficient kidney fire

Yi Yi Ren Properties: SWEET, BLAND - COOL Dosage: 9 – 30g.

Seeds Of Meridian: SPLEEN, LUNG, KIDNEY

Jobs Ears -Promote urination, drains damp

-strengthen spleen, stops diarrhea

-expel wind-damp, relieve joint and muscle pain

*contraindicated during pregnancy

Mu Tong Properties: BITTER - COOL Dosage: 3 – 9g.

Akebia Vine Meridian: BLADDER, HEART, SMALL INTESTINE

-promote urination, drain heat from heart through the small intestine.

-promotes lactation, Un-blocks blood vessels.

Hua Shi Properties: SWEET, BLAND - COLD Dosage: 6 - 15g

Talcum Powder Meridian: KIDNEY

-promote urination, drain Heat from bladder lin syndrome

-clear heat, summer heat and damp heat through urine.

-absorbs dampness (oozing eczema) used topically.

*contraindicated during pregnancy

Che Qian Zi Properties: SWEET - COLD Dosage: 4.5 – 9g.

Plantago Seeds Meridian: KIDNEY, BLADDER, LIVER, LUNG

-promote urination, drain heat from bladder

-solidify stool , clear/brighten eyes.

-lung heat – expel phlegm, stop cough

Bian Xu Properties: BITTER - COOL Dosage: 9 - 15g.

Knot Weed Meridian: BLADDER

-damp heat in bladder - promote urination, re lin, xue lin syndrome

-expels parasites

-itchy skin

Qu Mai Properties: BITTER - COLD Dosage: 6 - 12g.

Dianthus Meridian: BLADDER, HEART, SMALL INTESTINE

- promote urination, drain Damp Heat from bladder, lin syndrome- re lin, xue lin, stone lin

- breaks up blood stasis.

Shi Wei Properties: BITTER, SWEET - COOL Dosage: 3 - 9g.

Pyrrosia Meridian: BLADDER, LUNG

Leaves -promote urination, drain damp heat from bladder, re lin, xue lin, stone lin

-stops bleeding

-clears lung. expel phlegm, relieve cough

Bie Xie Properties: BITTER - NEUTRAL Dosage: 9 – 15g.

Dioscorea Meridian: BLADDER, LIVER, STOMACH

Root -separates pure from turbid, cloudy urine and leukorrhea

-expel wind damp (cold and hot bi syndrome), relax sinews

-damp heat – skin disorders

Jin Qian Cao Properties: SWEET, BLAND - NEUTRAL Dosage: 15 – 60g.

Lysimachia Meridian: BLADDER, GALLBLADDER, KIDNEY, LIVER

Whole Plant -promote urination, stone lin syndrome

-clears damp, jaundice (yang or yin) , red-swollen eyes

-snake bite

Yin Chen Hao Properties: BITTER, PUNGENT - COOL Dosage: 9 – 15g.

Yinchenhao Meridian: LIVER, SPLEEN, GALLBLADDER, STOMACH

Seedling -clear damp heat from liver and gallbladder, relieves jaundice (yang or yin)

-clear heat, Shao Yang Syndrome.

Mu Fang Ji Properties: BITTER, PUNGENT - COLD Dosage: 3 – 9 g.

Aristolochia Meridian: BLADDER, SPLEEN, KIDNEY

Root -expel wind-damp, alleviate pain

(stephania) -hot bi syndrome

-easily damages stomach due to cold

Han Fang Ji Properties: BITTER, PUNGENT - COLD Dosage: 3 – 9 g.

Stephania Meridian: BLADDER, SPLEEN, KIDNEY

Root -edema in lower part of body

-easily damages stomach due to cold.

Dong Gua Pi Properties: SWEET - COLD Dosage:1.5 – 4.5g.

Winter Melon Seed Meridian LUNG, STOMACH, LARGE INTESTINE, SMALL INTESTINE

-clear lung heat, expel phlegm, discharge puss – thick-sticky-yellow phlegm, lung abscess, upper jiao obstruction

-clear heat, drain damp – leucorrhea

Chi Xiao Dou Properties: SWEET, SOUR - NEUTRAL Dosage:1.5 – 4.5g.

Aduki Bean Meridian HEART, SMALL INTESTINE

-clear heat, promote urination – abdominal fullness/swelling with edema

-disperse blood stasis – reduce swelling and fire toxicity, sores, carbuncles

-clears damp heat – jaundice

Yu Mi Xu Properties: SWEET - NEUTRAL Dosage:1.5 – 4.5g.

Cornsilk Meridian BLADDER, GALLBLADDER, LIVER

-promote urination – re lin, stone lin, edema

-regulate gallbladder – jaundice

-wasting, thirst disorder

Dan Zhu Ye Properties: SWEET, BLAND - COLD Dosage:6 – 9g.

Lophatherum Stem and leaf Meridian HEART, SMALL INTESTINE, STOMACH

-clear heat in stomach or heart - irritable, cankers, swollen-painful gums

-promote urination – clear damp heat, lin syndrome

-heat in small intestine – irritability, dark red tongue tip

Tong Cao Properties: SWEET, BLAND - COLD Dosage: 3 – 6 g.

Rice Paper Pith Meridian: LUNG, STOMACH

-promote urination, clear heat – lin syndrome, damp warm-febrile disease

-promote lactation

Hai Jin sha Properties: SWEET - COLD Dosage:15 – 60g.

Japanese Fern Meridian: BLADDER, SMALL INTESTINE

-clear heat, promote urination – stone lin, xue lin,

-clear heat and toxic fire – swollen-painful throat

Di Fu Zi Properties: SWEET, BITTER - COLD Dosage:1.5 – 4.5g.

Broom Cypress Fruit Meridian: BLADDER

-clear damp heat, promote urination – lin syndrome, re lin.

-expel dampness, stop itch – damp skin disorder, eczema, scabies, genital itch.