Is 'Dampness' At The Root Of Your Bloat & Digestive Problems? An Acupuncturist Explains

So how do you know if you are affected by dampness? One of the best ways to measure this is by looking at your digestion. Are you often gassy, have loose stools, are bloated, and just have an overall feeling of distention and puffiness? Chances are you may have some damp accumulation. Quite honestly, most of us do. And we have our sedentary lifestyles and poor diets to thank for that.

Another sign of damp accumulation will show up in our respiratory system. Ever notice after eating ice cream, drinking a cold smoothie, or after eating greasy foods, you may cough up a bit of phlegm, or your sinuses get congested even though you may not have any known allergies? Maybe you're experiencing loose or sticky stools? Maybe your eczema is acting up? This has everything to do with dampness manifesting in different ways.

As we are approaching the winter season, it's important to remember to keep our earth cauldron warm. We are in a different season, which calls for different types of activity and foods. Here are a few key things to remember to decrease dampness as the weather outside changes:

We have to be able to guard our internal environment against the external environment during this time. Cold internally can cause pain and stagnation. Think about what cold does: Cold obstructs and tightens. Eating ice cream or drinking ice cold drinks on cold days will stifle your fire, which means food will not be properly digested. This will create stagnation in the form of undigested food within the stomach and large intestines. Where there's stagnation, there's no movement, and where there's no movement, there is also pain and discomfort. If you must do a smoothie, don't add ice or frozen fruits or vegetables. Instead, try adding spices like cinnamon, turmeric, or ginger—which are warming energetically and supportive to your digestive fire. A tip: if you are only using frozen produce, let it sit on the counter overnight or in the fridge. After blending, let it sit out to remove more of the chill before consumption.

Maybe instead of reaching for the bagel and cream cheese, smoothie, or yogurt, do something more gentle and less jarring to your system. Drink a cup of bone broth or soup, like a carrot-ginger. A tip: I'm a big fan of the Nona Lim brand of to-go broths and soups if you don't have time to make something yourself.

Eating foods that work to support the spleen and stomach can also help prevent dampness. Congee is rice that has been cooked down to a soupy consistency. Congee can be savory or sweet, depending on your taste. But the reason it's so good for you is your digestive system doesn't have to work hard to break down the starches, so it acts as more of a tonic to stabilize the spleen and stomach.

Putting effort and time into strengthening and supporting your earth element is like making daily deposits of chi into your health account. The more you invest in putting foods that nurture, support, and tonify, the more you increase your levels of comfort, energy, and overall health.