Chronic Fatigue Syndrome - Damp-Heat Obstruction Pattern

Dr. Li Wei, DACM

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome · Damp-Heat Obstruction Pattern

Updated: June 23, 2026

Reviewed by: Dr. Li Wei, DACM

Reading Time: 7 min

Body Area: Whole Body

Pattern Overview

Damp-Heat Obstruction is a pattern in chronic fatigue syndrome, characterized by chronic low-grade inflammation, fatigue, heavy sensation, and sticky mouth. The core pathogenesis is accumulation of Damp-Heat in the body, leading to obstruction of Qi flow, chronic inflammation, and systemic fatigue.

Key Symptoms and Differentiation Points

| Differentiation Dimension | Manifestations |

| :— | :— |

| Primary Symptoms | Fatigue with heavy sensation, muscle aches, feverishness |

| Associated Symptoms | Sticky mouth, poor appetite, loose stools, heavy head sensation |

| Tongue and Pulse | Red tongue with yellow greasy coating, slippery and rapid pulse |

| Pathogenesis | Damp-Heat accumulating in the body |

| Etiology | Poor diet, alcohol consumption, damp-heat environment, sedentary lifestyle |

Acupuncture Point Prescription

| Point | Location | Function |

| :— | :— | :— |

| Yinlingquan (SP9) | Below the medial condyle of the tibia | Transforms Dampness and drains Heat |

| Sanjiaoshu (BL22) | Lower back, 1.5 cun lateral to L1 | Back-Shu point of Triple Energizer; regulates water metabolism |

| Zhongwan (RN12) | 4 cun above the umbilicus | Front-Mu point of Stomach; harmonizes the Stomach |

| Zusanli (ST36) | 3 cun below the patella, 1 finger-width lateral to the tibial crest | Strengthens Spleen and Stomach; tonifies Qi |

| Fenglong (ST40) | 8 cun above the lateral malleolus, 2 cun lateral to the tibial crest | Transforms Phlegm and Dampness |

Clinical Recommendation: Filiform needle, reducing method; may combine with cupping to drain Damp-Heat.

Herbal Formula

Base Formula: San Ren Tang (三仁汤)

Composition:

Apricot Kernel (Xing Ren), Cardamon (Bai Kou Ren), Coix Seed (Yi Yi Ren), Magnolia (Hou Pu), Pinellia (Ban Xia), Talc (Hua Shi), Poria (Fu Ling), Bamboo Leaf (Zhu Ye)

Action: Clears Damp-Heat, promotes diuresis, and transforms turbidity.

Modifications

| Associated Symptoms | Additions/Subtractions |

| :— | :— |

| Severe heavy sensation | Add Cang Zhu, Huo Xiang to dry Dampness |

| Sticky mouth | Add Pei Lan, He Ye to transform turbidity and awaken the Spleen |

| Feverishness | Add Huang Qin, Huang Lian to clear Heat |

Western Mechanism Reference

Chronic low-grade inflammation with elevated CRP, gut microbiome dysbiosis, and metabolic product accumulation. Damp-Heat Obstruction corresponds to chronic fatigue with inflammatory component, where gut dysbiosis and metabolic dysfunction contribute to systemic inflammation and fatigue.

References

  1. Internal Medicine of TCM - Dampness Obstruction.

  2. DB-TCMJB: Damp-Heat.

  3. WHO. (2023). Chronic fatigue syndrome fact sheet. World Health Organization.

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