Candida

As defined by Western medicine, Candida encompasses a yeast overgrowth that can manifest with diverse symptoms, including digestive disturbances, muscle discomfort, skin issues, and mood fluctuations (Mayer et al., 2014, Current Opinion in Gastroenterology). Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) highlights the pivotal roles of the stomach and spleen in digestion, particularly the transformation and movement of fluids through elimination organs (Huang et al., 2016, Frontiers in Microbiology). In the TCM framework, candida overgrowth is attributed to spleen and stomach deficiency coupled with dampness accumulation (Li et al., 2018, Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine). The spleen's function of converting ingested substances into vital blood and Qi is impaired in spleen and stomach weakness cases, leading to an excess buildup of fluid that can promote the proliferation of candida (Chen et al., 2017, Frontiers in Physiology).