Essential hyperhidrosis is a condition caused by the overactivity of the sweat glands due to the dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system. It is characterized by paroxysmal local hyperhidrosis, and can also be seen as generalized, unilateral, or bilateral symmetrical sweating. It is more pronounced after tension, excitement, mental stimulation, heat exposure, or consumption of spicy and irritating foods. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, essential hyperhidrosis falls under the categories of "spontaneous sweating" and "night sweats." It is believed that this condition is often caused by deficiency of yang energy, instability of the defensive energy, disharmony between the nutrient and defensive energies, or internal heat in the lungs and stomach, or internal damp-heat, leading to an imbalance of yin and yang, resulting in sweating.
Lung Defense Inadequacy Type: Excessive sweating with an aversion to wind, sweating worsens with slight exertion, susceptibility to colds, fatigue and lack of strength, pale complexion; the tongue coating is thin and white, and the pulse is slow.
Guard and Nutritive Qi Disharmony Type: Excessive sweating with an aversion to wind, general body soreness, alternating chills and fever, or presenting with sweating on one half of the body or a specific area; the tongue coating is thin and white, and the pulse is fine and weak.
Heart Blood Deficiency Type: Spontaneous sweating or night sweats, palpitations, reduced sleep, fatigue, shortness of breath, and a dull complexion; the tongue is pale, and the pulse is thin.
Yin Deficiency and Excessive Fire Type: Night sweats or spontaneous sweating, restlessness and heat in the hands and feet, or accompanied by hot flashes in the afternoon, red cheeks, and thirst; the tongue is red, with little coating, and the pulse is thin and rapid.
Steaming sweat, sweat easily yellows clothes, red face with heat, irritability, bitter taste in the mouth, yellow urine; thin yellow tongue coating, pulse taut and rapid.
It is recommended to perform moxibustion once a day, targeting 2 to 3 acupoints each time, with each acupoint being treated for 30 to 40 minutes. Rotate the points treated, with a 10-day period constituting one course of treatment, and then rest for 2 to 3 days before continuing with the next course. (If time permits and there is a need, more acupoints can be treated with moxibustion. The specific duration should be adjusted according to one's own physical needs.)
1. Sweating makes one more susceptible to external pathogens, so it is important to avoid wind and cold to prevent catching a cold. 2. After sweating, promptly dry the sweat with a dry towel. For those who sweat a lot, it is necessary to frequently change underwear and pay attention to keeping clothes and bedding dry and clean. 3. Dietary therapy recipe: Astragalus Chicken Porridge. 1 hen (1kg to 1.5kg), 15 grams of Astragalus, 100 grams of millet. Clean the hen and make a rich chicken broth, decoct Astragalus in water twice to obtain the juice, add an appropriate amount of chicken soup and 100 grams of millet to cook into porridge. Take it warm in the morning and evening. This dish has the effect of benefiting qi and blood, filling the essence, replenishing qi and lifting yang, consolidating the exterior to stop sweating. It is especially suitable for those with spontaneous sweating due to long-term illness and deficiency of both qi and blood.