Phlegm Dampness Finale (Part 4)
For my final post on phlegm dampness, I’ll share some ways it can manifest and some foods that help to resolve it.
WATER:
Manifests as edema, or swelling of the extremities or body.
Foods that help resolve water include:
Aduki Beans, Black Soybeans, Broad Beans, Barley
Celery, Lettuce, Grapes
Fenugreek
Seaweed, Kelp
Anchovy, Clam, Sardine, Mackerel
DAMPNESS:
Often manifests as a generalized experience of tiredness, heaviness (limbs, body, eyes - for example with waking), foggy headedness, itching of the skin, some types of aching / electrical sensations / or pain that improves with movement, urinary issues.
Foods that help resolve dampness include:
Aduki Beans, Kidney Beans, Barley, Corn, Dry Roasted Oats, Rye, Sourdough Bread, Caraway Rye, Pumpernickel
Celery, Daikon, Mushrooms (white), Radishes, Turnips, Pumpkin, Scallions, Ginger
Green Tea, Jasmine Tea
Lemon
Garlic, Onion, Parsley, Horseradish, Marjoram, cardamon, Nutmeg, Dillseed, Cilantro, Oregano, Basil
Anchovy, Mackerel
And particular foods to help with damp urinary bladder issues:
Aduki beans, Fennel Seeds, Ginger, Fenugreek, Peas
PHLEGM:
The sticky, congealed cousin of the above two. It often lodges in the lungs and large intestine, and can often be seen as mucous in the nose, sinuses, throat or bowels. Currently, people are experiencing instances of phlegm in the lungs that is so congealed and sticky that the cough it produces can sound dry, while there is actually a deep underlying issue with phlegm accumulation.
Foods that help resolve phlegm include those for dampness, with the addition of / emphasis on:
Almonds, Walnuts
Daikon, Radishes, Mushrooms (Button, Shiitake), Watercress, Olives (extra virgin olive oil), Plantains
Persimmon, Pear, Grapefruit
Garlic, Onion, Black & White Pepper
Orange Peel, Lemon Peel, Tangerine Peel, Apple Peel
Marjoram, Mustard Leaf & Seed, Peppermint, Thyme
Shrimp, Clam, Seaweed
And particular foods to help with lung and sinus phlegm issues include:
Radish, Daikon, Turnip, Onion, Shallot / Scallion, Garlic, Mustard Greens, Horseradish, Ginger, Fenugreek, Fennel Seed, Cayenne, Watercress
These foods, in combination with the afore-posted information on foods to limit or avoid, can really help to resolve phlegm dampness related issues and improve your overall health. They aren’t intended to be your entire diet, but if you are able to use these lists as a guide, and when choosing between different grains, veggies or fruits, to try to include some in your diet (some daily, others weekly), it can be very beneficial.
Please note: this information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace medical advice or treatment from a licensed medical practitioner now or at any time. If you have a cough, don’t just eat watercress. Seek medical advice and testing.
Pickling our excess radish crop (with dill & black peppercorns)
Copyright 2020 - Anni Elliston R.TCMP.