What are Damp foods and Why Should I Remove Them?
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In Chinese Medicine we have a term called damp or dampness, that refers to a condition that can happen in the body where things become moist, sticky, and cloying. Dampness happens from the body not being able to transform moisture in the body. This condition happens from a weak spleen, kidneys or lungs. This is created by improper diet, a sedentary lifestyle, use of both prescription and non-prescription drugs, and this is because the yang of the body is suppressed. Damp external conditions can also contribute to this disharmony.
The foods that create dampness in the body are bread, pasta, sugar, dairy, juice (especially orange juice and tomato juice), hummus, alcohol and saturated fats. It is very important during the cold and flu season to limit these foods, and avoid if you start feeling even a little off, or if you don’t get enough sleep. Cold foods and too much liquids during a meal also interfere with the transformation of yang, and the spleens ability to integrate nutrients from our food.
Warm foods and especially broth soups, along with lots of veggies and fruits are needed to stay well. Foods to resolve or prevent dampness are: celery, asparagus, kidney beans, lemon water, parsley, pumpkin, radish, turnip, corn, onion, mushroom, aduki beans, and the following spices: garlic, oregano, marjoram, mustard, clove, cardamom, horseradish, basil and coriander.
Other ways to support your body from creating dampness and then getting a cold or virus, is to keep your lymph system moving. The lymph system is responsible to cleanse out the toxins from the body, and we must move the body to get lymph moving. Vigorous and mindful movement such as hiking, dancing, biking, or a fast walk will all get the heart rate up and the lymph moving. Dry skin brushing is also important to move lymph,and remember to brush towards the heart. Bodywork moves the lymph, and Amma Therapy, my acupressure and bodywork not only moves lymph, but has acupressure points that can drain dampness from the body, as well as boost the immune system and addresses all disharmonies in the body.
Remember that above all else, our minds are powerful. What we think we can create! How do you see your body? What are the messages you are telling yourself? Recently I went on a 6 hour, 17 mile hike. My ankle started hurting towards the end of the hike. I had to be careful to not make up a story, and was careful with the wording of my slight injury after the hike. Was it strained and did it swell? Yes. But, I also didn’t need to make as big of a story around it by focusing on it, which could create more pain and longer suffering. Instead I focused on sending it healing energy, doing my ankle rolls, doing some walking to keep it moving, providing it with the healing herbs of dit dat jow liniment daily, taking high quality turmeric and other supplements to aid in it’s recovery. When I started to want to talk about it, I recognized if I was doing it for attention, and why. What could I gain from talking or complaining about it? What could I instead share with others, or ask from others, to get my need for attention met? Last of all, I visualized it healing, being strong and seeing myself taking on a moderate hike the following weekend.
To excellent and optimal health!
Tanya Augusta