Clammy skin refers to skin that is wet, damp and sticky. Skin also usually feels cold to the touch. Most commonly, skin becomes clammy due to fluid accumulation in the extremities, often as a result of poor circulation.

This can be due to thick plasma (Kapha type). If plasma is thick, increase liquid quality with bitter foods that will decongest and thin the blood. If fluids have accumulated causing stagnation, use diuretics such as CCF tea or punarnava to expel excess fluid. If digestive toxins (ama) are present, they can be cleared with a triphala or a kitchari cleanse.

Certain heart conditions may also cause fluid stagnation (Vata type, common in the elderly). In this case, lie with legs up the wall to drain tissues of excess fluids.

If ama is irritating the body, the pores will dilate and the person will sweat (Pitta type). You can also break out into a cold sweat due to terror, or anxiety. With Pitta type clammy skin, avoid vasodilators, or foods with sour and pungent tastes as these increase sweating. Instead, clear ama with liver cleansing herbs such as guduchi or neem.

DIET REMEDIES FOR 'CLAMMY SKIN'

HERBS & PRODUCTS FOR 'CLAMMY SKIN'

AVOID DIETS, LIFESTYLES & HERBS THAT AGGRAVATE THESE EFFECTS

Symptoms Tell A Story

The first step to healing is learning patterns from your symptoms. Symptoms are clues that reveal underlying imbalances. Symptoms show you where your body is weakened. Ultimately, all disease has a root in tissues too weak to defend itself. Ayurveda describes these patterns of weakness using doshas & biocharacteristics. If you notice a biocharacteristic or dosha appears next to many of your symptoms, it helps you establish a pattern that may be systemic.

BIOCHARACTERISTIC	FOODS TO AVOID	DO YOU HAVE THIS IMBALANCE?
KAPHA	AVOID KAPHA FOODS THAT MAY AGGRAVATE CLAMMY SKIN	FIND OUT Status Unknown Take these quizzes to find out if you have an imbalance of 'Kapha' dosha.
HEAVY ABOUT HEAVY BIOCHARACTERISTIC Heavy is identified by sedation, sluggishness, or increased weight. LEARN MORE ABOUT HEAVY	AVOID HEAVY FOODS THAT MAY AGGRAVATE CLAMMY SKIN	FIND OUT Status Unknown Take these quizzes to find out if you have an imbalance of 'Heavy' guna.
LIQUID ABOUT LIQUID BIOCHARACTERISTIC Liquid is identified by thin fluids (low viscosity). LEARN MORE ABOUT LIQUID	AVOID LIQUID FOODS THAT MAY AGGRAVATE CLAMMY SKIN	FIND OUT Status Unknown Take these quizzes to find out if you have an imbalance of 'Liquid' guna.
SALTY ABOUT SALTY BIOCHARACTERISTIC Salty refers to anything with salt, or high mineral content. LEARN MORE ABOUT SALTY	AVOID SALTY FOODS THAT MAY AGGRAVATE CLAMMY SKIN	FIND OUT Status Unknown Take these quizzes to find out if you have an imbalance of 'Salty' taste.
SOUR ABOUT SOUR BIOCHARACTERISTIC Sour refers to anything fermented or acidic. LEARN MORE ABOUT SOUR	AVOID SOUR FOODS THAT MAY AGGRAVATE CLAMMY SKIN	FIND OUT Status Unknown Take these quizzes to find out if you have an imbalance of 'Sour' taste.
SWEET ABOUT SWEET BIOCHARACTERISTIC Sweet refers to anything builds tissue, including macronutrients such as carbohydrates, proteins and fats. LEARN MORE ABOUT SWEET	AVOID SWEET FOODS THAT MAY AGGRAVATE CLAMMY SKIN	FIND OUT Status Unknown Take these quizzes to find out if you have an imbalance of 'Sweet' taste.

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SEE A DIET WHICH REMOVES THESE CAUSES

ADDRESS ISSUES IN STAGE OF DISEASE 2

Affecting Blood: Initially, imbalances are localized, often in the digestive tract. As an imbalance grows, it starts to affect your body systemically, via the blood. If you have symptoms in this category it means that your imbalances are starting to spread, have entered the bloodstream, and are now systemic. Pay particular attention to the biocharacteristics, tastes, and doshas out of balance systemically, so you know how to strengthen your body as a whole, and reduce physical stress on your organs. At this stage of imbalance you will begin to experience generalized discomfort, imbalanced emotions, and may develop sensitivities to temperature. It may take several weeks of strict adherence to a specific remedial diet to clear blood level imbalances. Blood cleansing herbs may reduce symptoms. A several day cleanse may shorten the recovery time.

REDUCE THESE RELATED SYMPTOMS & HABITS

Biocharacteristics of the 2,812 People Reporting Clammy Skin

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About the Author

John Immel, the founder of Joyful Belly, teaches people how to have a healthy diet and lifestyle with Ayurveda. His approach to Ayurveda exudes a certain ease, which many find enjoyable and insightful. John also directs Joyful Belly's School of Ayurveda , which specializes in digestive tract pathology & Ayurvedic nutrition. John and his wife Natalie recently published Explore Your Hunger: A Guide to Hunger, Appetite & Food.

John's interest in Ayurveda and digestive tract pathology was inspired by a complex digestive disorder acquired from years of international travel, including his public service work in South Asia. John's commitment to the detailed study of digestive disorders reflects his zeal to get down to the roots of the problem. His hope and belief in the capacity of each & every client to improve their quality of life is nothing short of a personal passion. John's creativity in the kitchen and delight in cooking for others comes from his family oriented upbringing. In addition to his certification in Ayurveda, John holds a bachelor's degree in mathematics from Harvard University.

John enjoys sharing Ayurveda within the context of his Catholic roots, and finds Ayurveda gives him an opportunity to participate in the healing mission of the Church. Jesus expressed God's love by feeding and healing the sick. That kindness is the fundamental ministry of Ayurveda as well.

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