Expert: Heather Vandeburg L.Ac M.S.O.M. dipl.Ac - 8/5/2011

Question
Hi,

First, thank you for donating your time to this web site! It is much appreciated.

Briefly. I spent years in a damp cold environment (northern coast of California) and had damp cold in my spleen. Acupuncture helped so much with this (along with completely curing my carpal tunnel syndrome, yay).

I've lived in sunny/hot Los Angeles since 2001 and recently began having intense fatigue issues, weight gain, and abdominal tenderness near the belly button. I could tell by feeling my pulses and seeing the redness on my tongue tip that things were awry.

Went to an Acupuncturist and have so far had 2 treatments (am going to start going 2x a week for 1 month). She said I have damp heat in my spleen (makes sense). I just finished a round of Chinese herbal formula meant for damp spleen and have completely revamped my diet. So interesting because foods that I have loved and made a MAJOR part of my diet are no longer in it. Up until 2.5 weeks ago I ate a lot of sushi, raw fruits, raw veggies, lots of spicy hot sauce and salsas, and loved, loved, loved ice cold water (as well as drinking lots of fluid during the time I was eating). You get the picture.

Now I eat nothing raw, no dairy, no sushi, no ice water, no iced tea, no rich meats, no sugar/honey/agave/molasses. Only cooked foods that are easily digested, soups, ginger, cardamom, room temperature fluids (or hot green tea) and nothing during the time I eat or 20-30 minutes later. And, I feel AMAZING. The best I have felt in years. No falling asleep at 7 pm, no drowsiness after eating, no mid day naps. No brain fog. So, why am I writing? Well, I don't understand my Acupuncturist's thick accent too well. Most of what I have done with diet I've found out on my own. I have two questions for you:

1) Can I drink a lot of water (room temp)? I know not to drink 1/2 hour before, during or directly after meals but looking back on the past 2 weeks I realize I haven't been drinking much of anything. I am only drinking about 24 ounces a day and my lips and mouth are dry.

2) I know dampness (whether damp-heat or damp-cold) is difficult to get rid of completely. Am I likely to have to follow this way of eating for the rest of my life? Or, could I have a piece of sushi once in a while or some cold strawberries or an apple? I don't want to feel deprived but do want to do what I can to support this new feeling!

Any other dietary words of wisdom as they would relate to my damp-heat would be great. I've read every bit of info I could find on the internet and in book stores but am hungry for more!

Again, thank you for your time and expertise!

Wendy

Answer
Hi Wendy,
It sounds like you know your stuff, which is great!  From the TCM perspective lot of water even room temperature is dampening.  People that are damp tend to have to force themselves to drink.  If you are dry then you do need to drink more.  If you are taking damp draining herbs they may be making you dry.  Dampness is insidious and horribly hard to get rid of.  Yes, it may take years of healthy eating to get your spleen in a better place.  Think about how long it has been out of balance.  It is all about balance and moderation.  Yes, you can have dampening things.  I would wait until your spleen is a bit more stable.  Always remember that cooking food makes it easier on the spleen.  So eat stewed strawberries.  Have a California roll occasionally, steam your apple.  Steamed, stir fried, or poached is always easier for your body to assimilate.  Use digestive enzymes they may help too.  Bitters may help your digestion more. There are great books on TCM nutrition out there.  A friend and colleague of mine Jason Bussell wrote one called " The Asian Diet"
Here are dampening foods to avoid.  Remember all food have a temperature.  Cold(c), Cool(cl) Neutral(n),warm(w),hot(h).
dampening foods
pork n
shark n
sardines n
clam c
mussels w
crab c
octopus c
duck n
goose n
eggs n
milk n
cheese n
ice cream c
coconut milk w
peanuts n
butter w
fat w
refined oils w
fruit juices c
cooked honey c
watermelon c
melon c
mango c
raw veggies c
seaweed c
wheat grass c
sweet rice c
soymilk c
tofu  c
salt  c
Chinese cabbage c
avocado c
alcohol w
hot spices also engender damp and are hot
Here are some food to drain damp:
aduki bean, alfalfa, anchovy, barley, corn, mustard leaf, buckwheat, tea, celery, garlic, green tea, kidney beans,
mackerel, scallion, radish, rye, pumpkin, turnip, plum, button mushroom, onion, parsley,lemon
I hope this helps,
Good luck!!
Heather Vandeburg LAc MSOM diplAc