Expert: Coninyah B. Dew - 7/25/2009

Question
QUESTION: I have just had acupuncture for a digestive disorder. Basically,
stagnant digestion and some possible blockage to the right of
my belly button. Acupuncturist came up with "heat-phlegm" but
was not too specific about nutritional remedy. (I already had
blood test and ultrasound, both were negative. There is no pain,
just discomfort there. And some weakness of energy. Are there
any specific nutritional and/or herb recommendations for "heat-phlegm"
conditions? And what to avoid? Thanks! I am 59 and generally
excellent health otherwise.

ANSWER: Hello David,

Thank you for your question. There are several dietary recommendations to assist in clearing phlegm-heat. The first would be to avoid greasy, spicy and phlegm (mucus) producing foods. Such foods would include red meats, fried foods of any sort, peppers, refined sugar (to include high fructose corn syrup), dairy products, night shades (potatoes, bell peppers, eggplant) and wheat based products. Now having said this, I do understand that this greatly limits what can be eaten. This dietary recommendation is for the purpose of clearing your condition and not to be maintained indefinitely unless you find it suites you.

The foods you want to lean more towards are blander foods such as rice with little to no season. Sea salt would be the most if absolutely necessary. Oatmeal, kale, broccoli, spinach, amaranth, watermelon, molasses (if a sweetener is necessary and used sparingly), green tea, quinoa (with some walnuts) are good options as well.

I am hesitant to recommend any Chinese formulas without knowing the full composite of your symptoms. I would ask that you consider asking your acupuncturist however about a formula Wen Dan Tang. He/She would need to validate if your symptoms would suggest this formula would be beneficial or not. I would defer to him/her to make that determination.  

I hope this information has been helpful. Should you choose to follow the dietary recommendations you should notice two major affects within 2-3 weeks. The first is a lessening of the discomfort you are currently experiencing and the second is an increase in energy. Should you have any additional questions, please feel free to ask. Be well.

Regards,
Coninyah B. Dew L.Ac., M.S.O.M.
Acupuncture Stress and Pain Management Practices


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you. I want to be more specific about the (partial) obstruction which I sense. What I feel may be described
as a small water-filled balloon 3-5 inches to the right of the belly button. My theory is that there is a blockage there, causing this "sack" to form. My acupuncturist has not corroborated this specifically, but I guess he means that phlegm has acumulated. In your opinion, can phlegm accumulate to form a blockage? And the "sack" or "balloon" that I feel is merely food that is trying to move through the tract, but whose passage is jammed up at that point, and only passes through slowly. Does that sound like a good theory to you? Also I am going in for a water colonic this week. Can that remove phlegm or an obstruction? I know I may have asked you questions here which may be out of your area. In any case I am going to follow your diet recommendations, and will give you a high rating.

Answer
Hello David,

Thank you for your follow up questions. I am copying your message below and inserting my comments as to not miss anything. My comments will be denoted by brackets [].


QUESTION: Thank you. I want to be more specific about the (partial) obstruction which I sense. What I feel may be described
as a small water-filled balloon 3-5 inches to the right of the belly button. My theory is that there is a blockage there, causing this "sack" to form. My acupuncturist has not corroborated this specifically, but I guess he means that phlegm has acumulated [In Chinese medicine, phlegm can feel very much like what you are describing]. In your opinion, can phlegm accumulate to form a blockage [Yes phlegm can accumulate to form blockages. These blockages from what is called "substantial" phlegm are very noticeable. They can appear as nodules with or without pain and take longer to treat in most cases than "non"substantial phlegm]? And the "sack" or "balloon" that I feel is merely food that is trying to move through the tract, but whose passage is jammed up at that point, and only passes through slowly [This I am not certain of although possible. If this were the case though, there would be not just local discomfort most likely and potential changes in your bowel movement which could look like constipation]. Does that sound like a good theory to you [Please see before mentioned comments]? Also I am going in for a water colonic this week. Can that remove phlegm or an obstruction [Colonics can assist in removing obstructions. They are only affective however for the large intestines from what I know of them. The location of your discomfort sounds to be more in the small intestines although that is only a guess not having performed a physical exam personally or seen your test results]? I know I may have asked you questions here which may be out of your area. In any case I am going to follow your diet recommendations, and will give you a high rating.

I hope this additional information helps. Please let me know if I may be of further assistance. Be well.

Regards,
Coninyah B. Dew L.Ac., M.S.O.M.
Acupuncture Stress and Pain Management Practices