Does traditional Chinese medicine not advocate “sweating profusely”? It may cause 6 major harms! 

However, traditional Chinese medicine has repeatedly emphasized that profuse sweating should not be allowed, because sweat is one of the five fluids in the human body, derived from food and water, and body fluids are closely related to blood. Excessive sweating can cause various harms to the body.

Does traditional Chinese medicine not advocate "sweating profusely"? It may cause 6 major harms! 

Some people pursue profuse sweating in order to achieve weight loss and beauty goals, believing that this can eliminate toxins in the body and reduce weight. However, traditional Chinese medicine has repeatedly emphasized that profuse sweating should not be allowed, because sweat is one of the five fluids in the human body, derived from food and water, and body fluids are closely related to blood. Excessive sweating can cause various harms to the body.

What harm does excessive sweating cause?

1. Reduced blood volume in the body 

Traditional Chinese medicine says: Blood and sweat have the same origin. Excessive sweating can reduce blood volume, leading to palpitations, limb spasms, numbness and pain in the limbs, blurred vision, etc.

2. Causes qi deficiency 

Body fluids can carry qi, and qi is lost along with sweat. Sweating requires vaporization, and excessive sweating causes the body’s qi to be lost along with sweat, manifesting as palpitations, general weakness, laziness, rapid breathing, and shortness of breath. 

3. Damage to body fluids 

Sweat is part of body fluids. Excessive sweating can damage body fluids, manifesting as thirst, constipation, etc. 

4. Damage to yang qi 

Sweat is evaporated by yang qi. Excessive sweating can damage yang qi, manifesting as palpitations, cold hands and feet, fear of cold, and aversion to cold. 

5. Damage to yin and essence 

Excessive sweating damages body fluids and blood, causing damage to yin and essence. The main manifestations are hot hands and feet, irritability, low back pain, weakness of limbs, dizziness, and spasms.

6. Easy invasion of evil qi 

When sweating, the pores all over the body dilate, weakening the body’s defense function. Evil qi can take advantage of the deficiency and invade, leading to the deficiency of righteous qi.

What are the common types of sweating disorders?

1. Spontaneous sweating 

Common in excessive sweating during the day. Due to imbalance of yin and yang and loose muscles and veins, sweat is secreted abnormally. 

2. Night sweats 

Common at night after falling asleep, sweating abnormally. The sweating stops after waking up. 

3. Ceaseless sweating 

Often presents with profuse sweating.

How to nurture sweating problems?

1. Sweating slightly with little activity 

Fear of cold and sweating with light activity, accompanied by pale complexion and frequent colds every other time. The focus of treatment is to replenish qi and stabilize the exterior. In this case, Yupingfeng San with modifications is needed. 

2. Sweating from heat 

There is heat accumulation in the body, excessive sweating, accompanied by dry stool, irritability and thirst. The key to treatment is to clear heat. Under the guidance of traditional Chinese medicine, Baihu Tang with modifications should be used according to syndrome differentiation. 

3. Wind evil attacking the defenses 

When wind evil attacks the defenses, sweating causes aversion to wind. The key to treatment is to dispel wind and eliminate evil, and reconcile. Guizhi Tang should be used as directed by a doctor.

A warm reminder 

After understanding, excessive sweating can damage righteous qi, so the underlying cause should be found in time for scientific and standardized treatment. Pay attention to keeping the body warm after sweating. Do not suddenly take off thick clothes to avoid invasion of cold evil. After wiping off sweat from the body, take a warm bath and change into dry clothes. For sweating due to deficiency, Chinese medicines such as wuzhuyu, fushen, oyster and longgu can be used under the guidance of a doctor. 

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