The cold properties of Guiling for dampness removal are often overlooked. Many people immediately think of Guilinggao when dampness removal is mentioned, and there are various convenient Guiling dampness-removing products on the market, seemingly an excellent choice. But is Guiling really a "panacea" for dampness removal? From a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) perspective, while Guilinggao and Guiling tea can clear heat, their nature is cold. If one consumes them indiscriminately without understanding their own body constitution, it could harm the body and add cold to an already cold condition!
What is the principle behind Guiling for dampness removal?
The main ingredients of Guiling include tortoise plastron and smilax glabra (tu fu ling), which are believed in TCM to have the effects of clearing heat and promoting diuresis. However, these ingredients are actually cold in nature. Long-term consumption can easily lead to excessive coldness in the body. Especially for those with weak spleen and stomach or a naturally cold constitution, consuming Guiling might worsen their condition.
Main ingredients of common dampness-removing products
| Ingredient | Effect on dampness removal |
| Tortoise plastron | Nourishes yin and suppresses yang, easily leading to more coldness, especially for those with a cold constitution. |
| Coix seed | Promotes diuresis and dispels dampness, strengthens the spleen, improves swelling and dampness. |
| Adzuki bean | While it has a diuretic effect, excessive consumption may cause gastrointestinal discomfort. |
| Smilax glabra | Clears heat and detoxifies, but for those with a weak spleen and stomach, it may worsen the feeling of coldness in the body. |
| Stephania tetrandra | Promotes diuresis and reduces swelling, dispels external cold, relaxes tendons and activates collaterals. |
| Astragalus | Tonifies qi and strengthens the spleen, promotes diuresis and reduces swelling, suitable for cold-damp constitutions. |
Why is Guiling not a good remedy for dampness removal?
Although Guiling is believed to remove dampness, it is not a perfect solution. It primarily targets "damp-heat" constitutions because its ingredients (such as Smilax glabra) are mostly cold in nature, helping to clear heat and promote diuresis. However, if one has "cold-dampness" or "spleen deficiency with dampness entrapment," consuming Guiling may harm the spleen and stomach yang due to its cold properties, exacerbating discomfort.
Furthermore, the overall medicinal properties of Guiling are cold. Long-term or excessive consumption can easily deplete the body's yang energy, making it particularly unsuitable for those with weak spleen and stomach or insufficient yang. The ingredients in commercially available products may vary, and their traditional efficacy might be compromised. Therefore, Guiling for dampness removal is specific to certain conditions and not a universal remedy suitable for everyone. Blind consumption may be counterproductive.
Guiling for dampness removal — easily causes gastrointestinal discomfort
Nowadays, people generally have weaker spleens and stomachs, irregular eating habits, and a preference for strong-flavored foods. Coupled with the cold nature of Guiling, it can easily lead to gastrointestinal dysfunction. Symptoms such as bloating and abdominal pain after consumption are common, and some people may even experience severe digestive problems and loss of appetite.
Guiling for dampness removal — excessive coldness harms the body
Even more concerning, the excessively cold properties of Guiling can cause irreparable harm to the body. For women experiencing menstrual discomfort or qi and blood deficiency, consuming Guiling may exacerbate negative feelings, cold limbs, and other conditions. For those who are already cold, Guiling is undoubtedly a "cold medicine" that not only fails to remove dampness but also further depletes the body's yang energy, leading to consequences such as weakened immunity.
Which body types will experience adverse effects? 6 types of people should be careful!
- Spleen and stomach deficient and cold / cold constitution individuals: Will exacerbate coldness, leading to abdominal pain, diarrhea, indigestion, aversion to cold, etc.
- Women / Pregnant women: Cold nature may cause or worsen menstrual discomfort; pregnant women should avoid it due to the risk of invigorating blood from ingredients like tortoise plastron.
- Infants / Elderly: Infants have delicate internal organs, and the elderly may have insufficient yang; neither should consume excessive cold substances.
- Those recovering from serious illness or with weak constitutions: At this time, the body needs warm tonification for recovery; the cold nature of Guiling is not conducive to recovery.
- On an empty stomach: Easily irritates the stomach and intestines.
- Those taking other Chinese or Western medicines: Should consult a doctor to avoid drug interactions.
Correct method for dampness removal — use warm herbs
For effective dampness removal, it is recommended to choose warm herbs such as ginger, cinnamon, and red dates. These herbs can strengthen the spleen and stomach, promote metabolism, and help expel dampness from the body without causing the cold damage that Guilinggao does.
Correct method for dampness removal — control diet and exercise
Controlling diet and engaging in appropriate exercise are also effective methods for dampness removal. One should avoid raw, cold, greasy, and heavily flavored foods to reduce the burden on the spleen and stomach. Additionally, regular aerobic exercise, such as brisk walking and swimming, can promote blood circulation and help eliminate excess dampness, thereby achieving better health outcomes.
Correct method for dampness removal — use Vitagreen Dampness-Removing Lite
In contrast, Vitagreen Dampness-Removing Lite is undoubtedly a milder and safer option for dampness removal. Its formula combines various natural ingredients such as Stephania tetrandra, coix seed, and astragalus, which not only strengthen the spleen and stomach but also promote drainage. As the product is gentle, it is suitable for people of all body types and has no side effects from Western medicine, making it an ideal choice for busy urbanites looking to address issues of heavy dampness, swelling, and pseudo-obesity.
