Early Spring People are Prone to "Dampness": Eat Less Tropical Fruits, More Corn
The "South Return" weather of early spring has arrived in full force, with floors and walls dripping with "tears." The damp and unpleasant feeling is enough to make anyone uncomfortable, with a chill rising from the soles of the feet. In a humid environment, the body can also be internally affected, turning one into a "damp person." This leads to symptoms of "excess dampness" such as physical fatigue, chest tightness, diarrhea, and poor appetite. "Damp people" are also prone to eczema and joint pain. Even more unpredictable is that dampness can lie dormant in the body for a long time, only to emerge and cause trouble when conditions are right, triggering the recurrence of chronic illnesses.
Experts explain that the humid and muggy "South Return" weather is considered "dampness evil" in Traditional Chinese Medicine, which invades the body through the skin. In fact, not just during the South Return, this kind of hot and humid weather is common in the Lingnan region. Consequently, the diet of people in the south has many taboos; for instance, they avoid spicy foods for fear of "internal heat," which is related to this climatic characteristic. When in Rome, do as the Romans do; "damp people" really must be mindful of their diet to expel dampness.
Don't be a "Damp Person": Eat Less Tropical Fruit, Eat More Corn to Expel Dampness
"Dampness-evoking foods" refer to those that, after being eaten, cause "internal dampness" in the body, leading to various discomforts such as bloating and pain, a bitter taste in the mouth, poor appetite, and heavy limbs. Many tropical fruits like jackfruit, durian, and mango are considered dampness-promoting foods. During the humid South Return period, it's best not to eat too much of them, especially when you are clearly feeling unwell from the environmental dampness. Seafood like shrimp and crab also promote dampness. If you have a craving, it's better to avoid them during this time and instead opt for aquatic products with dampness-expelling properties, such as carp or crucian carp.
People in Guangzhou love to make soups and congee. It is recommended to add ingredients like corn, Job's tears (coix seed), fox nut (Euryale ferox), and hyacinth bean to these dishes, as these ingredients have dampness-removing properties. Recommended recipes include: Corn and Pork Rib Soup, Old Duck with Winter Melon Congee, and a Mixed Grain Congee with Job's Tears and Hyacinth Beans. You can be flexible and add these to your recipes as you see fit.
During the South Return, everyone hopes for the sun to come out. When the sun does shine, take the opportunity to bask in it—dry yourself, your towels, and your bedding. Use the ultraviolet rays to prevent your mood, body, and environment from "getting moldy." This is also a secret weapon for expelling dampness.
Moisture-Proofing Misconception: Eating Ginger to Drive Away Dampness
When the weather is humid, some people believe they should use pungent foods to drive out internal dampness by increasing their intake of ginger, garlic, and other "warm and pungent" substances in their diet. This is a mistake.
Experts point out that dispelling cold is not the same as expelling dampness. The corn, hyacinth beans, Job's tears, and fox nut recommended above are relatively mild in nature and suitable for expelling dampness for anyone. The humid and hot climate is predominant in the Lingnan region, so regardless of whether it's the South Return season, these ingredients can be added to meals. However, choosing "warming" foods like ginger and garlic depends on one's constitution. If you have a "cold constitution" and often suffer from diarrhea and a fear of cold, you can consume more of them to achieve the dual effect of expelling dampness and cold. If you have a "hot constitution" with a lot of "internal heat," eating these "heat-inducing" foods will instead increase the body's dampness evil. In addition to choosing the neutral-natured foods mentioned above, you can also drink soup made with Smilax glabra (tu fu ling), a "cooling soup" that effectively expels dampness.