Damp depression

One of the six depressions. Stagnation of dampness usually arising when dampness causes qì to stagnate. Damp depression is characterized by generalized pain and heaviness, heavy clouded head, fatigue and lassitude, hypersomnia, thin slimy tongue fur, and a pulse that is sunken, rough, and moderate. Episodes are brought on by yīn-type (dull wet) weather. If damp depression is accompanied by heat and prevents the heat from thrusting through to the outer body, the pattern is called dampness trapping hidden heat; if it affects movement and transformation of the spleen, it is called dampness encumbering spleen yáng.

Medicinal therapy: Eliminate dampness and resolve depression. Use Damp Depression Decoction (湿郁汤 shī yù tāng), Dampness-Eliminating Decoction (除湿汤 chú shī tāng), or Stomach-Calming Powder (平胃散 píng wèi sǎn).

Acumoxatherapy: Base treatment mainly on SP and ST. Select SP-9 (Yīn Mound Spring, 阴陵泉 yīn líng quán), ST-36 (Leg Three Lǐ, 足三里 zú sān lǐ), LI-4 (Union Valley, 合谷 hé gǔ), PC-6 (Inner Pass, 内关 nèi guān), CV-6 (Sea of Qì, 气海 qì hǎi), and LR-3 (Supreme Surge, 太冲 tài chōng); needle with even supplementation and drainage and moxa, if appropriate.

• For dampness trapping hidden heat, drain LI-11 (Pool at the Bend, 曲池 qū chí), ST-44 (Inner Court, 内庭 nèi tíng), and SP-6 (Three Yīn Intersection, 三阴交 sān yīn jiāo).
• For dampness encumbering spleen yáng, add CV-12 (Center Stomach Duct, 中脘 zhōng wǎn), LR-13 (Camphorwood Gate, 章门 zhāng mén), and BL-20 (Spleen Transport, 脾俞 pí shù).

See six depressions.