Dryness and TCM this Winter

Dr Rebecca Dabscheck (Chinese Medicine Practitioner)
Jun 5
2 min read

❄️❄️Dry Type TCM Patterns: Diet and Lifestyle Tips ❄️❄️

❄️Part One ❄️

Welcome Winter, hello Dry, especially in July. It is not just a rhyme for a reason 😉

This is a time to take care of the lungs and kidneys , which may prefer a moist environment over a dry one according to Chinese Medicine. Think hydration at all costs.

What Is the Dry Type?

For someone whom constitutionally may be a "Dry Type", proper diagnosis is crucial.

Familiar symptoms? Dryness symptoms may include some/more/all:

Dryness of the skin, eyes, hair, nails, mouth, nose, throat. Fidgeting, restless nervous energy, thin body, red cheeks, overworked/ burnout, dark circles under eyes, thirsty, sipping cold drinks, hot flushes, night sweats, body runs warm, restless sleep, heart palpitations, racing pulse, constipated with dry hard stool, PMS pimples, erectile dysfunction, vaginal dryness with redness, rashes, or dry itch, short or long menstrual cycles. Peeled red tongue or cracks in tongue surface.

TCM patterns that may fit "Dry type" may include but not limited to; Kidney Yin Deficiency, Deficient Heat, and Lung Yin Deficiency with Kidney patterns.

For further information,guidance and proper diagnosis please Speak to your TCM practitioner.

Lifestyle Tips for the Dry Type

Don't worry you can definitely help these symtoms whether acute or chronic:

1) Maximise Sleep quality and quantity.

2)Avoid smoking and recreational drugs.

(Even just a little will severely effect you, especially if the pattern is hereditry or acute).

3) No weight loss stimulants; overtax metabolism.

4) More outdoors/fresh air/nature.

5) Avoid/reduce stale indoor building air.

6) Limit time spent using/on electronics, inc computers, mobiles.

7) Avoid toxic fumes e.g air fresheners, paints, dry cleaners, construction, etc.

8) Avoid saunas, steam rooms, spa baths, hot baths.

10) Moisturize your skin.

11) Reduce stress levels.

12) Find stress reduction strategies,personalised e.g Qi Gong, Walking.

13) Slower paced life with more downtime.

14) Reduce partying and social demands. Cultivate pastimes that are nostalgic: reading, knitting etc.

15) Rest, ( women, more so during the follicular cycle, between period and ovulation.)

16) Establish a consistent routine for mealtime and bedtime.

17) Avoid overstimulation such as loud parties, scary movies, and adrenaline rushes

18) Be patient, especially over age 35.

19) Drink Luke warm water (2-3 lites is a goal) Sip throughout day not all at once 💦

Be patient and consistent, numerous acupuncture treatments may be needed , accompanying the above advice. You don't need to do them all initially or ever, just pick 1 or 2, just start 😃 e.g rest more often.