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In spring, stepping outside in Hong Kong feels like being wrapped in a wet towel. Your thoughts may become cloudy. Your body may feel slow.
Quinton Wong Cheuk-kwan is a registered Chinese medicine practitioner. He explained why humidity makes us feel like we’re in a slump.
“The foundation of traditional Chinese medicine is … [that] the outside and yourself are not separate,” said Wong, who is also the director of Kwan’s Medical Group.
“That means the connection [of our body] with the external is very direct.”
Wong shared ways to restore balance in your body based on traditional Chinese medicine (TCM).
How humidity affects our body
In TCM, the terms “spleen” and “stomach” refer to a broader system in the body related to digestion, absorption and distribution, rather than the organs described in Western medicine.
High humidity in the outside environment can make the body’s internal system feel damp. This dampness mainly affects the spleen and stomach.
“When our spleen and stomach are trapped by a lot of dampness … they stop functioning,” Wong said. “Think of your spleen and stomach as a roundabout in … a busy city. If there’s a traffic jam right in the middle, all other functions will be indirectly affected.”
Wong noted that a dry environment is best for the function of the spleen and stomach. These systems are responsible for making the body’s essential fluids, such as mucus.
If your system is clogged with moisture, any water you drink passes through without being properly used.
“People with heavy dampness … keep drinking water but are still thirsty because the water isn’t getting where it needs to go,” Wong said.
Extra dampness reduces your motivation and negatively affects your mood. Wong also said that you might feel tired because the body needs extra energy to deal with the moisture.
What to avoid eating
Wong warned that having cold drinks and food could worsen the environment for our spleen and stomach.
While fruit is healthy, some fruits make our internal system even damper when the weather outside is already humid.
“Fruits [that] feel slippery and slimy to the touch … we consider them damp, [such as] kiwi, peach and mango,” Wong said.
He also noted that fermented foods and dairy are generally damp. That includes miso soup, cheese, yogurt, kimchi and alcohol.
Reducing dampness
Wong recommended a tea recipe to help the body restore its balance during hot, humid weather.
Combine five grams of chrysanthemum flowers with another five grams of lotus leaves. Steep them in hot water for 10 minutes. Then, it is ready to drink. This recipe can help clear heat, improve digestion and support your body’s water processing.
Wong also suggested two acupressure points to release trapped heat in the body when the weather is humid. Hegu is located on the back of the hand, in the web between the thumb and index finger. Quchi is located at the outer end of the elbow crease when the arm is flexed.
To stimulate these points, apply gentle pressure for about 30 seconds.
