The Gastrointestinal Factory Has Stopped Due to 'Humidity'—The Truth Behind Loss of Appetite During the Rainy Season

Hello everyone. This is Yuyu Kampo.

When the rainy season arrives, do you ever feel a loss of appetite, find that food doesn't taste good, or feel heavy and bloated after eating? Are you blaming yourself, thinking, 'I have to eat, but for some reason, I can't bring myself to,' or 'This happens every rainy season; maybe I just lack willpower'? There is absolutely no need to feel that way. There is a clear 'internal body mechanism' behind the loss of appetite during the rainy season. In this article, I will explain the true nature of this seasonal loss of appetite from the perspective of Eastern medicine and share some simple health practices you can start today.

Loss of appetite during the rainy season is not 'laziness,' but a sign that your body's factory has stopped

In Eastern medicine, the overall function of the gastrointestinal tract responsible for digestion and absorption is called the 'Spleen' (Hi). The Spleen acts like a 'manufacturing factory' within the body, transforming the food you eat into 'Qi' (energy) and 'Blood' (nutrients). When the engine is running well, the 'raw materials'—your food—are continuously converted into vitality.

However, when 'Dampness' (Shitsuja), which the Spleen dislikes most, enters the body during the rainy season, the factory's operations slow down significantly. Dampness refers to a state where external humidity enters the body and stagnates as excess moisture. Imagine a light drizzle seeping into the engine room of a factory, causing the entire machine to become heavy and waterlogged. If the engine is flooded, no matter how much raw material you put in, it cannot be processed. This is the true nature of why your appetite drops during the rainy season and why you feel that food 'doesn't taste good' or your 'stomach feels heavy'.

Is your Spleen tired? — Reading the signs

If any of the following apply to you, it may be a sign that your Spleen (gastrointestinal factory) is being affected by humidity.

• Your appetite consistently drops when the rainy season begins

• You feel bloated or sleepy after eating

• When you look in the mirror, your tongue has a thick, white coating

• You feel sluggish and have a heavy-headed sensation

• Your mouth feels sweet or sticky, or food lacks flavor

These are signs that the Spleen's function has declined and dampness has accumulated in the body. It is not a lack of 'grit'; your factory is honestly telling you that it is not functioning well.

Kampo Wisdom: Prescriptions to Rebuild the Gastrointestinal Factory

For this state of 'Spleen Deficiency with Dampness Accumulation' (Hikyoshitsukon), where the gastrointestinal tract is weakened and dampness has accumulated, Kampo takes an approach of warming the engine back up and eliminating the excess dampness.

Rikkunshito is a prescription that acts like a 'comprehensive factory maintenance crew,' replenishing the Spleen's energy (gastrointestinal function) while removing stagnant excess moisture. It is a standard prescription for those who lack appetite and tend to have a heavy stomach. Heiisan is a 'dehumidification specialist' that dries out the dampness accumulated in the gastrointestinal tract and returns the factory to normal operation. It is suitable for those concerned about post-meal bloating or a feeling of abdominal distension. Jinryobyakujutsusan is a prescription that gently supplements the Spleen while removing excess dampness, making it particularly suitable for those who tire easily and tend to have loose stools.

Note: Kampo medicines vary in suitability depending on your constitution (Sho) and symptoms. To choose the right Kampo for your body, please do not self-diagnose and be sure to consult with a pharmacist or doctor knowledgeable about Kampo.

Today's Small Health Practice: 2 Tips to 'Ventilate' the Factory Engine

To get the gastrointestinal factory running again, there are things you can do starting today. The most important things are 'not letting the engine room get any wetter' and 'drying out the humidity'.

First, let's have a cup of warm drink. Cold drinks further cool the factory's engine and invite 'dampness' (shitsuja). Simply switching to hot water or warm tea makes it easier to turn on the switch for the gastrointestinal factory. Next, please be mindful of chewing your food slowly and thoroughly. Chewing well is the factory's pre-processing line. By carefully performing the chewing process, the workload inside the factory is significantly reduced, easing the burden on the engine. This alone will greatly alleviate that 'post-meal heaviness' and 'lack of appetite'.

The first step to protecting your health is to listen to the voice of your own body. Don't rush by thinking 'I have to eat,' but instead gently help your gastrointestinal tract recover. Let's continue to learn together this week as well. May your every day be a little more energetic and comfortable.

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Yuyu Kampo