Summer Damp-Heat: What It Is, How It Feels, and How to Beat It (TCM-Style!)

Living in Charleston, SC, we know all too well what it’s like to step outside in the summer and instantly feel like you’re wrapped in a warm, wet towel. The humidity here is next level, and while the sunshine is beautiful, it can really take a toll on how we feel, especially if your body is prone to something we call damp-heat in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM).

If you’ve been feeling heavy, sluggish, puffy, irritable, or just plain “off” in this weather, you’re not alone. In the clinic, we see this pattern all the time during the summer months, and the good news is: there’s a lot we can do to help.

Let’s break down what damp-heat actually is, how it shows up in the body, and how we treat it in our clinic, with acupuncture, herbs, essential oils, and simple self-care tools you can use at home to stay balanced, cool, and clear all summer long.

What is Damp-Heat, Exactly?

In Chinese Medicine, “dampness” is like that sticky, heavy energy that bogs everything down. Think: swelling, brain fog, bloating, sluggish digestion, and feeling like you’re moving through molasses. “Heat” brings inflammation, irritation, restlessness, skin issues, and even infections. Together, t’s a combo that tends to flare up in hot, humid weather and can affect different systems of the body.

Damp heat shows up in the tongue and pulse diagnosis as swollen and puffy with a coat in the former, and “slippery” with some tightness or rapidness in the latter.

How Damp-Heat Feels in the Body

Damp-heat looks different for everyone, but here are some common signs:

• Feeling heavy or bloated, especially in the limbs

• Digestive upset (think loose stools, sticky bowel movements, or acid reflux)

• Irritability, brain fog, and fatigue

• Puffy face or swollen ankles

• Skin flare-ups like acne, eczema, or rashes

• Bad breath or a bitter taste in the mouth

• Vaginal or urinary irritation (think yeast infections, UTIs)

Damp-heat can also contribute to the stubborn, dreaded “summer-cold” with symptoms like fatigue, yellow phlegm, GI upset, sore throat or a chest cough that can stick around for a while.

We can help! (*deep sigh of relief*)

How We Treat Damp-Heat in the Clinic

At our clinic, we tailor treatments to clear heat, drain dampness, and restore balance to your system. Here’s how we help you feel better from the inside out:

Acupuncture, of course! We use acupuncture points to:

• Support digestion and metabolism (goodbye bloat!)

• Strengthen the Spleen and Stomach qi

• Cool internal heat and inflammation

• Clear out damp accumulation

• Calm the mind and regulate mood

Some favorite points might include Spleen 9 and Stomach 36, Large Intestine 11, and Liver 3- all depending on your exact presentation.

Herbal support: We love to use Chinese herbal medicine to support treatment! Below are a few fantastic herbal allies to cool the body, support digestion, and release excess damp.

• Yi Yi Ren (Job’s Tears): Strengthens the spleen, drains damp, reduces. Can be used in teas and soups.

• Fu Ling (Poira): Tonifies the Spleen, drains damp, calms the mind. A favorite in many classical formulas to support the Spirit.

• Huo Xiang (Patchouli): An aromatic herb that transforms damp, harmonizes the middle (stomach), relieves nausea.

• Jin Yin Hua (Honeysuckle flower): Clears heat and toxins- great for skin, sore throat or detox teas.

• Xi Gua Pi (Watermelon rind): Clears summer-heat, generates fluids, promotes urination. Use in tea and blend into a smoothie!

• Lu Dou (Mung bean): Detoxifies, quenches thirst, perfect in summer drinks

Always check with a licensed herbalist before taking any formula. Herbs are powerful medicine and work best when customized to you.

Essential Oils to the Rescue! Essential oils can help support your body in clearing damp-heat when used thoughtfully:

• Peppermint: Cooling and refreshing, great for the summer heat and clearing heat from the head.

• Tea Tree: Antifungal, antibacterial, and clears skin damp-heat. Supports Lung qi and the respiratory system and great for allergies.

• Grapefruit: A gentle detoxifier that’s especially helpful for dampness and lymph stagnation.

• Patchouli: Transforms dampness, harmonizes the middle burner, and releases summer heat to treat digestive upset, nausea, and heaviness in the body

Try diffusing them or using a few drops in a carrier oil for a lymphatic massage along your arms, legs, or around your abdomen.

Acupressure You Can Do at Home

Add these to your summer self-care toolkit:

• Spleen 9 (Yinlingquan): Inside of the lower leg, just below the knee. Press here to help drain dampness like fluid retention, heaviness in the limbs, sluggish digestion. This point can feel bruise-like, so press gently.

• Stomach 36 (Zusanli): Below the kneecap, about a hand’s width down. Supports digestion and overall energy and immunity. Excellent for kids- use year round!

• Large Intestine 11 (Quchi): At the end of the elbow crease, on the outer part of the arm. Great for clearing heat, especially from the skin, and summer colds with fever and sore throat.

• Liver 3 (Taichong): On the top of the foot between the first and second toes. Helps move stagnation and cool irritability. A favorite for headaches, pain and PMS.

Hold each point for about 30–60 seconds while breathing deeply.

Summer Tips for Keeping Damp-Heat in Check

• Stay hydrated, but skip icy drinks (they slow digestion!)

• Eat light, cooling foods like cucumber, watermelon, mung beans, and bitter greens

• Avoid greasy, fried, or super-sugary foods (they create more dampness)

• Sip chrysanthemum + goji berry tea to cool the body and supports liver health

• Try dry brushing a few times a week before a shower to support the lymphatic system and help move stagnation

• Get enough sleep and find moments to slow down (stress heats the body up!)

Damp-heat doesn’t have to ruin your summer. With a little extra awareness and some solid TCM tools, you can stay cool, clear, and energized all season long. If you’re feeling off, don’t just chalk it up to “summer sluggishness.” Book a session and let’s get your system back in balance!

Want personalized support? We’re here for you. With acupuncture, herbs, lifestyle tweaks, we’ve got all the tools to help you feel light, bright, and grounded again.

👉 Book your summer reset with us at Balance Acupuncture or reach out at info@balancecharleston.com.

TCM, Summer + the Fire Element

Happy Summer!

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), each season is associated with specific elements, organs, emotions, and health practices to maintain harmony and balance. Summer, governed by the Fire element, is a time of abundance, activity, and outward energy.

Here’s how TCM approaches health during the toasty summer season:

Characteristics of Summer in TCM

Element: Fire

The Fire element represents heat, growth, and movement. It’s the most yang of all elements, indicating maximum activity and expansion.

Organ Systems: Heart and Small Intestine

The Heart is considered the "Emperor" of the organs, governing blood circulation and housing the Shen (spirit or mind).

The Small Intestine helps separate clear from turbid, playing a crucial role in digestion and assimilation.

Emotion: Joy

Joy is the emotion associated with the Fire element and summer. Balanced joy supports emotional health, while excess or deficiency can lead to disturbances such as mania or depression.

Color: Red

Red symbolizes the vibrant energy of summer and the Fire element.

Climate: Heat

Summer is characterized by warmth and heat, which can invigorate but also deplete bodily fluids and energy if excessive.

Health Practices for Summer in TCM

Food Therapy:

Emphasize light, cooling foods to counterbalance the heat. These include watermelon, cucumber, tomatoes, and leafy greens.

Incorporate bitter foods like dandelion greens and bitter melon to promote heart health and digestive functions.

Avoid overly spicy, greasy, and heavy foods, as they can add internal heat and burden the digestive system.

Hydrate!!

Increase fluid intake to replenish the body's moisture lost through perspiration. Herbal teas, such as chrysanthemum tea, can have cooling properties. Include electrolytes like coconut water, as well.

Avoid excessive consumption of cold drinks and ice, which can impair digestion by introducing cold and damp to the digestive system- this puts out our digestive fire!

Activity and Lifestyle:

Engage in moderate outdoor activities to align with the yang energy of the season, but avoid excessive exertion during peak heat times.

Rise early and go to bed later, mirroring the longer daylight hours. Take midday breaks to rest and prevent heat exhaustion.

Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine:

Focus on points and herbs that support the Heart and Small Intestine, regulate heat, and enhance blood circulation.

Common points used include Heart 7 (Shenmen) for calming the spirit and Small Intestine 3 (Houxi) for clearing heat.

Herbs like mint (Bo He), honeysuckle (Jin Yin Hua), and chrysanthemum (Ju Hua) are often used to clear heat and toxins.

Emotional and Mental Health:

Foster activities that bring joy and social interaction, as summer is a time for outward expression and connectivity.

Practice mindfulness and relaxation techniques to balance the high energy and prevent overstimulation.

Seasonal Disorders and TCM Approaches

Heatstroke: Symptoms include dizziness, headache, and nausea. TCM recommends rest, hydration, and cooling herbs.

Skin Issues: Heat and dampness can lead to rashes and other skin problems. TCM uses cooling herbs and acupuncture to clear heat and resolve dampness.

Digestive Problems: Overindulgence in cold and raw foods can impair digestion. Herbs like ginger and acupuncture points on the stomach meridian can help restore balance.

By following these principles and adjusting lifestyle and dietary habits, TCM aims to harmonize the body with the season, promoting health and well-being during the vibrant summer months. And of course, contact your acupuncturist if you could use a seasonal tune-up! (843) 790-4295

Tips for Spring Wellness According to TCM

We are SO ready for spring! Enjoy this bit about the wood element and seasonal wellness according to TCM (traditional Chinese Medicine).

In Chinese Medicine theory, the Wood element aligns with springtime and corresponds to the Liver organ, which is responsible for the free flow of qi in the body. Themes of the season are growth, strength, courage, vision, and renewal.

As we transition into this new season, all of the same wood element energy that readies the plants to begin their transition is happening inside of you, too! The energy of wood wants to move outward and get things done.

Often times this transition comes with symptoms of allergies, headaches, and tight muscles. Additionally, if that wood energy cant express itself, the result can be “qi stagnation” and it feels like anger, irritability, depression, mood swings, poor sleep, migraines, pain, tension, worsening PMS, excessive sighing, indigestion, and skin flare ups.

Thankfully, the teachings and practices of Chinese Medicine can help ease the transition into Spring and keep that qi flowing!

Moving stuck energy can be as simple as taking a few deep breaths, using aromatherapy, going for a walk (soak in that vitamin D for an extra immune and mood boost!), or stretching (especially rib openers, hip stretches, and side twists). Or, clean out a closet! This is a really great time of the year to move your body, which helps move your qi!

Lavender, sandalwood, vetiver, rose, peppermint, chamomile, and all citrus essential oils move Qi and support the wood element. Similarly, lemon water and peppermint, matcha, or chamomile tea will help move stagnation in the liver meridian.

Eat more greens. Green is the color associated with the liver and springtime. Eat more young tender plants, including: fresh, leafy greens, sprouts, and immature cereal grasses. Leafy greens like kale, dandelion, collards, and mint are also great choices. This can improve the liver's overall function and aid in the movement of qi. Try to eat locally grown and in season as much as possible. Opt for some sour foods like pickled veggies- sour is the taste associated with unblocking the Liver.

The Liver loves movement, but this movement won’t feel great if we’re not getting enough sleep- an essential time for replenishment and for the liver to recover from the stresses of the day. The most important time of the night for the Liver to restore (when you should be in a deep sleep!) is 1am-3am.

Get acupuncture! Acupuncture helps improve the overall health of your liver as well as treating stress, allergies, immunity, pain, and more! We highly recommend seasonal tune-ups to help the body adapt to changes in the environment. Your acupuncturist may also be able to prescribe supportive herbal formulas for stress, allergies, skin issues, and other issues that arise this time of year!

Contact us to learn more or to book your seasonal wellness tune up! (843) 790-4295 or info@balancecharleston.com

Our Favorite Books for an Introduction to Chinese Medicine

Cozy up with a book introducing you to the amazing world of Chinese Medicine!

The wisdom and teachings of Chinese Medicine is vast, and there is so much literature- new, old, very very old- where you can dive in to learn more. Here, we are sharing 6 of our favorite reads for an introduction to acupuncture and Chinese Medicine!

The Web That Has No Weaver by Ted Kaptchuk- Lauren’s favorite. A classic well-written, comprehensive guide to the theory and practice of Chinese medicine.

Between Heaven and Earth by Harriet Beinfield- Andrea’s favorite. A soft introduction to the philosophies of Chinese Medicine and how to use Chinese medical techniques in our own lives.

Tao Te Ching (“The Book of the Way”) by Lao Tzu- a series of meditations laying the groundwork of Taoist thought and how to live according to the Tao- the Way, the guiding light, the very source of all existence.

Healing with Whole Foods: Asian Traditions and Modern Nutrition by Paul Pitchford- a truly comprehensive guide to the theory and healing power of Chinese medicine. This is our go-to reference for TCM nutrition and food therapy guidelines.

The Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Medicine- translated from the “Neijing”, this is one of the oldest and most renowned texts on Taoism and Chinese Medicine. It’s a dense read, but a great read for anyone curious about the underlying principles of Chinese medicine.

A Patient’s Guide to Acupuncture by Sarah Swanberg, L.Ac.- for those just discovering the wonders of Chinese Medicine, this book teaches you everything you need to know to fully feel the benefits of holistic healing- a fun and educational read.

Enjoy!

Acupuncture 101: The Basics

Acupuncture is a holistic medical practice that originated in China over 3,000 years ago. It uses sterile, hair-thin needles to stimulate the body’s natural healing abilities and promote physical and emotional well-being.

The medicine is based on the understanding that health is achieved through balance. Symptoms like indigestion, headaches, or irritability indicate something is a little out of wack: there’s an imbalance in the body that needs to be addressed.

As your acupuncturist, our job is to determine the specific pattern of imbalance causing your symptoms and get to the root of the issue. When we treat the root we can address a wide range of symptoms and many seemingly "unconnected" issues in a single treatment!

Qi (pronounced “chee”) is translated as “vital energy” or “life force”, and is the most important concept in Chinese Medicine. Qi is the basis of all phenomena in our universe. In our body, Qi is both form and function; refined energy and functional activity. The primary goal of acupuncture is to move and balance qi in the body to restore harmony and promote health.

Qi circulates along a meridian system. The meridians are like a giant web, linking different parts of the body together. Every organ has its own meridian system that traverses a certain area of the body.

The flow of Qi in the meridians concentrate at certain areas- these are the acupuncture points. When everything circulates properly, we don’t feel it, and we are balanced and strong. But when it gets blocked or becomes deficient, it causes pain, dysfunction, depression and disease.

When needled, acupuncture points can regulate the way in which the body functions, improving basic life functions like sleep and digestion, bringing us back to homeostasis.

Acupuncture has been repeatedly proven to reduce inflammation, alleviate pain and increase blood circulation.  From a Western medical view, acupuncture points are sites to stimulate nerves, muscles, and connective tissue. This stimulation boosts the body’s natural pain killers and feel-good chemicals like endorphins.

Acupuncture can correct minor imbalances before they become chronic or pathological. You don’t have to have something that needs to be “fixed” in order to get acupuncture! While acupuncture excels at treating symptoms, it’s an amazing ally for preventative health. If you have no “symptoms” and want to stay that way, you’re an ideal candidate for acupuncture!

Treatments are relaxing, restorative, and nourishing. Even first-time clients with needle fear are surprised by how quickly they feel relaxed! Acupuncture needles are hair-thin and virtually painless. A slight ache or pinch will quickly dissipate. There may be a pulling sensation called “de qi” (“grabbing of the qi”), which many clients like to feel (“it’s working!”).

Today, the benefits of acupuncture are recognized by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the World Health Organization (WHO), which lists the following symptoms, diseases, and conditions to be treated effectively by acupuncture. (Amazingly, Chinese Medicine works on physical, emotional and mental levels, offering a full spectrum of healing.)

Musculo-Skeletal: arthritis, back pain, neck pain, muscle pain, muscle weakness, muscle cramping, sciatica

Digestive: abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhea, indigestion

Gynecological: premenstrual syndrome, menopausal symptoms, infertility

Emotional: anxiety, depression, insomnia, nervousness, neurosis

Eye-Ear-Nose-Throat: cataracts, poor vision, toothache, gingivitis, tinnitus

Respiratory: asthma, bronchitis, common cold, sinusitis, smoking cessation, tonsillitis

Neurological: headaches, migraines, neurogenic bladder dysfunction, Parkinson’s Disease, post-operative pain, stroke

Miscellaneous: addiction control, athletic performance, blood pressure regulation, chronic fatigue, immune system toning, stress reduction