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According to the *Bencao* (Materia Medica): Cangzhu (Rhizoma Atractylodis) treats dampness and can be used for both upper and lower body dampness. In Erchen Tang (Two-Aged Decoction), adding Jiuhuangqin (Scutellariae Radix fried with wine), Qianghuo (Notopterygii Rhizoma et Radix), and Cangzhu disperses wind and eliminates dampness. When Spleen and Stomach are affected by dampness, symptoms include heaviness, lethargy, weakness, lassitude, and a preference for lying down. To eliminate phlegm, Baizhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma) must be used. For upper body dampness, Cangzhu has potent effects; for lower body dampness, Shengma (Cimicifugae Rhizoma) should be used to raise yang. External dampness is best treated by diaphoresis (sweating method); internal dampness is best treated by bland diuresis (promoting urination). If drying dampness is required, formulas such as Qianghuo Shengshi Tang (Notopterygium Decoction to Overcome Dampness) or Pingwei San (Stomach-Pacifying Powder) may be used; if wind-dampness intertwines causing whole-body pain, Fangji Huangqi Tang (Stephania and Astragalus Decoction) is indicated; if dampness is excessive while qi is substantial, Shenyao Wan (Divine Protection Pill) or Zhouche Wan (Boat Cart Pill) may be taken; if qi is deficient, drugs such as Sangpiao (Morus Folium), Fuling (Poria), Renshen (Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma), Tingli (Semen Lepidii seu Descurainiae), and Muxiang (Aucklandiae Radix) are suitable. Generally, obese individuals presenting with heaviness, lethargy, and lassitude suffer from damp-heat, and should use Cangzhu, Fuling, and Huashi (Talcum). Individuals who are pale and fat, presenting with heaviness, lethargy, and lassitude, suffer from qi deficiency, and should use Ershu (both Cangzhu and Baizhu), Renshen, Banxia (Pinelliae Rhizoma), Caoguo (Tsaoko Fructus), Houpo (Magnoliae Officinalis Cortex), and Shaoyao (Paeoniae Radix). Individuals who are dark-skinned and thin, presenting with heaviness, lethargy, and lassitude, suffer from heat, and should use Baizhu and Huangqin (Scutellariae Radix). If irregular diet injures the Spleen and Stomach, impairing transport and transformation, Zhizhu Wan (Immature Bitter Orange and Atractylodes Pill) is appropriate. To remove dampness and heat from the Upper Jiao, Huangqin must be used because it clears Lung fire. Similarly, if there is dampness in the Lung, Huangqin is also suitable; however, if there is deficiency-heat in the Lung, Tianmendong (Asparagi Radix), Maidong (Ophiopogonis Radix), and Zhimu (Anemarrhenae Rhizoma) are suitable; excessive use of Huangqin damages the Spleen. To remove dampness and painful heat from the Middle Jiao, Huanglian (Coptidis Rhizoma) is used because it clears Heart fire. If there is excess heat in the Middle Jiao, Huanglian is also suitable. If Spleen and Stomach are weak and fail to transform, leading to oppression and discomfort, Huangqin, Baizhu, and Gengegen (Puerariae Lobatae Radix) are suitable. If damp-heat accumulates in the Middle Jiao over time causing pain, indicating intense heat, Huanglian fried with ginger juice is suitable. To remove damp-swelling and pain from the Lower Jiao, and when Bladder has pathogenic fire, Jiuhuanfangji (Stephania Root washed with wine), Huangbai (Phellodendri Cortex), Zhimu, and Caolongdan (Gentianae Radix) are essential. It is also stated: whenever there is dampness in the Lower Jiao, Caolongdan and Fangji are the sovereign drugs, with Gancao (Licorice Root) and Huangbai as ministering drugs; if swelling and pain occur in the Lower Jiao, indicating damp-heat, Jiuhuanfangji, Caolongdan, Huangqin, and Cangzhu are suitable. For obese individuals with qi deficiency presenting with swelling and pain, Ershu, Nanting (Arisaematis Rhizoma), Huashi, and Fuling are suitable; for dark-skinned, thin individuals with Lower Jiao swelling and pain, Danggui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix), Taoren (Persicae Semen), Honghua (Carthami Flos), Niuxi (Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix), Binglang (Arecae Semen), and Huangbai are suitable.

Dai Yuanli said: Dampness comes either from external invasion or internal generation; one must examine the geographical source of the disease. In the Southeast, where land is low and rainy, ground dampness prevails; dampness usually enters from outside, starting from below, often manifesting as heavy legs and Hongjiaojiao (foot ailment/gout); treatment should employ sweating and dispersing methods, and for chronic cases, unblocking and draining methods. In the Northwest, where land is high, people often consume raw/cold foods, wet noodles, and dairy products, or after drinking alcohol, cold qi becomes stagnant, preventing dampness from dissipating, leading to abdominal distension and pain, severe water drumming (ascites), or generalized edema that pits upon pressure; these all arise from within. One must assess the amount of Yuanqi (primordial qi) and promote the free flow of urine and stool, addressing the root cause internally. These internal and external dampness factors due to geography often coexist but in varying proportions; treatment must be symptomatic and flexible, not rigidly adhering to a single method.

Attached Formulas:
Erchen Tang See Stroke Category.
Qianghuo Shengshi Tang (Notopterygium Decoction to Overcome Dampness)
Qianghuo (1 qian), Duhuo (1 qian) Gaoben (Ligustici Wallichii Rhizoma et Radix), Fangfeng (Saposhnikoviae Radix), Gancao (Honey-fried, 0.5 qian), Chuanxiong (0.5 qian) Manjingzi (Vittariae Spora, 0.3 qian)
Decoct these ingredients. Take as one dose, with two cups of water, decoct to one cup. Strain and take warm on an empty stomach. If body weight is heavy and the waist feels heavy, add Jiuhuanfangji (0.5 qian); for mild cases, add Fuzi (Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata, 0.5 qian); for severe cases, add Chuanwu (Aconiti Radix, 0.5 qian).
Pingwei San (Stomach-Pacifying Powder) See Jue Category.
Fangji Huangqi Tang (Stephania and Astragalus Decoction) Treats Wind-Warmth with floating pulse, heaviness, sweating, aversion to wind, or pain.
Fangji (1 liang) Gancao (Honey-fried, 0.5 liang) Baizhu (0.75 liang) Huangqi (Astragali Radix, 1.1 liang)
Decoct these ingredients. Take 1 liang per dose, with ginger and jujube. For asthma, add Mahuang (Ephedrae Herba); for poor Stomach qi movement, add Shaoyao; for upward rushing qi, add Guizhi (Cinnamomi Ramulus); for cold below, add Xixin (Asari Radix et Rhizoma).
Sanhua Shenyao Wan (Three-Flower Divine Protection Pill) Treats all water-dampness swelling diseases, abdominal fullness and distension, asthma, and oppression.
Qingfen (Calomelas, 1 qian) Dahuang (Rhei Radix et Rhizoma, 1 liang, powdered) Qianniu (Semen Pharbitidis, 2 liang) Yuanhua (Genkwa Flos, stir-fried with vinegar) Gansui (Kansui Radix) Daji (Euphorbiae Pekinensis Radix, each 0.5 liang)
Grind into powder, mix with drops of water to make pills the size of small beans. Start with five pills, increasing by five pills per dose, taken with warm water at any time, three times daily.
Zhouche Wan (Boat Cart Pill)
Dahuang (2 liang) Gansui, Daji, Yuanhua, Qingpi (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium Viride), Chenpi (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium, each 1 liang) Qianniu (Head powder, 4 liang) Muxiang (1 liang)
Grind into powder, make water pills the size of Chinese quince seeds. Take 60-70 pills per dose, with plain boiled water. Adjust according to symptoms.
Zhizhu Wan (Immature Bitter Orange and Atractylodes Pill) See Internal Injury Category.
Shengyang Chuwen Tang (Ascending Yang and Removing Warmth Decoction) See Diarrhea Category.