In the last post, we talked about dampness and how to identify dampness in your body. As promised I'm going to give you some simple things that you can do right now to start clearing the dampness.
Think of this as reestablishing your internal garden after a big flood.
You must regulate the water balance by controlling dampness.
The first thing you need to do is MOVE.
Most of us just do not move with the frequency and intensity that our ancestors did. Our bodies are designed for steady and continuous movement (such as walking). Getting enough walking IN will help significantly with getting the dampness OUT. Aim for 10,000 steps every day. You can start slow and gradually build up to the 10K. I use an app on my phone to track my steps. (There are many, many apps - free and paid - available to help you track steps).
The second thing you can do is ABDOMINAL MASSAGE.
You read that right. I want you to rub your belly. Dampness originates in the gut. Just as you must circulate your blood through exercise, you must also directly circulate and move the stagnation in the abdomen. This is a small step that will take 10-15 minutes and offer you profound results
.
Here is a link to a video by Nick Baker. He explains and walks you through basic abdominal massage in the first half of the video.
The third thing you can do is FOCUSED BREATHING EXERCISES.
A simple Exhale Breath is a great way to start. It goes like this:
Breath in through your nose... INHALE... then EXHALE out of your mouth with a long, audible breath. Imagine a forced and extended SIGH. That kind of breath helps to regulate gasotransmitters, which in turn help you clear the dampness. You know you've done enough when you start to yawn uncontrollably, you fall asleep, or you are able to do this exercise continuously for 15 minutes.
Here is the advanced version of the Exhale Breath recorded by Kristen Horner Warren. This version is called the "Huff'n'Puff." I usually recommend doing this exercise for 5 days in a row, then use as needed. It also works well for pain, stress, anxiety, and many more conditions.
If you do these three simple things, you will make huge strides toward clearing the dampness.
As the dampness clears, your symptoms will too.
The best way to begin is to pick one thing.
Set a habit goal that is so easy you can't fail.
Then every day you build on your success.
In the next email, I will send you a few more actions you can take to address the dampness as well as the ways that herbs and acupuncture can fast track the healing.
Diagnosing Dampness
Simple Signs of Dampness
You've heard me talk about dampness. And you will likely keep hearing me talk about it. That is because dampness is one of the most common issues that Americans face.
So what does dampness look like? How can you tell if you've got it?
I'm going to share with you a few key signs that are easy to see that will indicate dampness in the body.
But first let's put this in context.
Dampness is the main cause of most of our chronic internal medicine and chronic pain conditions. This is why I will keep bring it up. Dampness is the root of what is reeking havoc on our health. It is so pervasive, I could almost change the name of my clinic to the "Clear Dampness Clinic."
Dampness is directly caused by our modern diet. Most of us consume the "Standard American Diet (SAD)" that, even in it's healthiest form, often includes an abundance of refined carbohydrates, sugar, and seed oils.
Pair this "SAD" diet with low daily physical activity.
This combo creates a perfect storm where the body's ability to process these foods becomes overwhelmed.
Damp accumulation is the result.
Here are some symptoms to look out for:
Waist to Height ratio greater than .5
Fatigue
Heaviness
Swelling or Edema
Dull Ache or Pain
Lethargy
Brain Fog
Oily Skin
Dark Circles under the Eyes
No desire to drink Water
Also look at your tongue. If you see these signs it is part of a dampness pattern.
pale
swollen
teeth marks on the sides
central crack
thick or thin coating
white or yellow coating
visible moisture
(For comparison, a healthy tongue is medium pink, not to fat or thin, and no coat or very slight coat.)
If you suspect dampness in your body, have no fear! There is hope. I have lots of tools and tricks to Conquer the Dampness.
Next up - I'll share some simple things you can do to help overcome the dampness in your body.
The Best 10 Minutes You Will Spend Today
Botanical Biohacking has wowed us again.
I've been using the Botanical Biohacking herbs in the clinic for the last year and a half. I am constantly amazed at the results they produce not only for my patients but for myself and my family too. These are the highest quality herbs available and come directly from the growers/harvesters in China, through advanced processing and testing, and then straight to Comal Springs Acupuncture.
That is just about as close the source as you can get.
Andrew and Xue Lan (the founders) just released this gorgeous ebook that explains more about each formula, where the herbs grow, what each formula treats, and some easy lifestyle suggestions that support each formula's function.
This book is especially for you if you are doing foot soaks (in clinic or at home), if you are taking microgard or microgard plus, if you are drinking Xiao Yao San or Wind tea, or if you are curious about any of the above. They also talk about a few upcoming products.. including one that might incorporate chocolate? (We'll let you know as soon as we find out more about that one)
Do yourself a favor. Take 10 minutes and check out this beautiful, informative, and free ebook online here:
https://botanicalbiohacking.com/flipbook
My current favorite product they offer is the Wind tea. This tea helps to regulate immune function, dissolve biofilms and then kill the hiding pathogens. It also helps regulate bowel function and is great for reducing low grade systemic inflammation. It also tastes great (which is highly unusual for most Chinese herbal formulas).
I've been drinking it daily for 2 weeks now and I have had no allergy symptoms at all and I'm usually highly allergic to cedar.
I'll be serving Wind tea in the clinic for the rest of January.
Come on by and have a cup.
Your Gut and Your Skin
I came across this article that talks about the relationship between the gut and the skin.
https://www.mindbodygreen.com/articles/boost-radiance-with-these-inflammation-reducing-tips
From our Traditional Chinese Medicine perspective, this relationship has been known about for thousands of years. The Lungs and the Large Intestine have a primary relationship and directly manifests in skin conditions. The best way to have health + clear skin is to manage what you eat by eating foods that are not inflammatory. (Think like this: if it came from the store in a box or bag, it causes inflammation)
So here are the three big things plus one that you can also do to support optimal gut flora health, reduce inflammation, and improve your skin.
Sleep (go to bed early or by 10 pm)
Breath (daily deep breathing or meditation)
Move (walk 10,000 steps daily)
Plus One -- Avoid consuming anything that numbs you out
All easier said than done.
These are the things I've been consciously working on since March last year.
Still haven't mastered all at the same time, but I really believe these 3 plus 1 will get most people to where they really want to be if done together and consistently.
The Dampness is Real
Let's talk about dampness...
In Chinese Medicine Dampness is considered an excess yin pathogen. This means it has a physical basis and can be seen and felt. It is responsible for that heavy lethargic feeling you get when all you just want to do is sit on the couch and do nothing. Often pain has an underlying “damp” component to it. Meaning that heavy, dull, achy sensation you might sometimes feel. This is fluid/water accumulating in places it doesn't belong. It could be happening at the cellular or the tissue level. Think swelling and edema. Or pain that is worse with damp weather or changes in pressure. The best analogy I've heard is to picture dampness as an internal swamp. And what grows in swamps? Bacteria. Viruses. Molds. Fungus. And many other opportunistic pathogens.
So how does this dampness occur?
It can be caused by an external invasion such as that “cold that penetrates to the bone" or stifling humidity. In most cases it is a result of our modern lifestyle... too much food and not enough movement. The best way to avoid dampness is by avoiding damp causing foods. Think heavy, fried foods, highly refined and processed foods, sugar, dairy, alcohol... you know all those holiday favorites. If you can't completely avoid these foods, then you are completely normal! However, you can use movement and exercise can help the body to utilize the fuel it is getting and drain the swamp. One of the best things to do is to just walk more through out the day. A good goal is to try to get up to 10,000 steps in daily.
So get a jump on the season and increase your movement to avoid accumulating the dampness that occurs during this time of the year.