Overcoming dampness
Late summer is a time when the days are hot but the temperature drops slightly at night reminding us of cooler weather to come. Nature begins to lose its moisture in preparation for the dryness of fall. To be in harmony with nature our bodies must also shed any excess dampness or mucus we may have accumulated from overexposure to the weather’s humidity, eating too late at night on those balmy summer evenings, or from consuming too many dairy products and ice cream treats. The condition of dampness can manifest itself in any of our organs but will affect the spleen-pancreas particularly at this time of year and can be difficult to heal due to its stagnant quality. Symptoms may include yeast infections, lack of appetite, bloating, watery stools, a heavy feeling in the body and a general sluggish feeling. Here are some suggestions to overcome dampness.
Eat fewer animal products in general
Avoid refined over processed foods and those high in fat and mucus, eg ice cream and dairy – raw goat’s milk/yoghurt are the only dairy products that do not contribute to damp conditions
Eat foods with drying qualities – eg rye, corn, amaranth, aduki beans, celery, lettuce, green onions, kohlrabi, turnip, pumpkin
Resist those ice cold sweet drinks! Drink chamomile tea instead
Small amounts of raw honey can be used
Eat simple meals of lightly cooked organic vegetables
Exercise – appropriate exercise oxygenates the body, just as hanging a damp cloth out in a breeze prevents any mold
Address emotional issues of worry and anxiety
Add more orange and yellow to your life, in food and in clothing, to balance your center
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