Definition:
Dryness is an imbalance where the internal body climate is dehydrated and dry.
The body does not have enough fluids which impacts the kidneys which need fluids to perform their function and the liver which needs water to generate blood.
Dryness may occur because someone is not properly hydrating or may be drinking things that are dehydrating in nature (like red wine, coffee or soda).
It might also happen because someone’s body is not retaining the fluids they take in. (A person who drinks a lot and urinates frequently falls into this category.)
If the body does not have enough fluids to act as a coolant in the body it also causes an imbalance of excess heat.
This imbalance impacts the menstrual cycle in several wasys.
Dryness is an imbalance where the internal body climate is dehydrated and dry.
The body does not have enough fluids which impacts the kidneys which need fluids to perform their function and the liver which needs water to generate blood.
Dryness may occur because someone is not properly hydrating or may be drinking things that are dehydrating in nature (like red wine, coffee or soda).
It might also happen because someone’s body is not retaining the fluids they take in. (A person who drinks a lot and urinates frequently falls into this category.)
If the body does not have enough fluids to act as a coolant in the body it also causes an imbalance of excess heat.
This imbalance impacts the menstrual cycle in several wasys.
Indicators/Body Signs:
-Thirst
-Nightsweats
-Dryness (mouth, throat, skin, hair, nails, lips, vagina)
-Low Libido
-Constipation
-Low Back Pain
-Flaky or Chalky Vaginal Discharge
-Fevers
-Gestational or Type II Diabetes
-Pregnancy: Low Amniotic Fluids
-Premature Aging and Wrinkles
-Headaches
-Kidney Failure
-Urine Abnormalities (sweet-smelling, difficult, frequent, dark)
-Thirst
-Nightsweats
-Dryness (mouth, throat, skin, hair, nails, lips, vagina)
-Low Libido
-Constipation
-Low Back Pain
-Flaky or Chalky Vaginal Discharge
-Fevers
-Gestational or Type II Diabetes
-Pregnancy: Low Amniotic Fluids
-Premature Aging and Wrinkles
-Headaches
-Kidney Failure
-Urine Abnormalities (sweet-smelling, difficult, frequent, dark)
Triggers (Aggravating Factors):
-Caffeine
-Alcohol
-Smoking (tobacco, marijuana, hookah)
-Hot Climate
-Dry Climate
-Saunas
-Hot Yoga
-Sweating
-Over Exercise
-Spicy Food
-Caffeine
-Alcohol
-Smoking (tobacco, marijuana, hookah)
-Hot Climate
-Dry Climate
-Saunas
-Hot Yoga
-Sweating
-Over Exercise
-Spicy Food
Related Emotions:
Fear
Fear
Medical Diagnosis and Treatment:
In western medicine the imbalance Dryness correlates to dehydration.
It also correlates to the following diagnoses although western medicine may not outright make the connection that dehydration is a causal factor :
-Diabetes
-Yeast Infections
-Urinary Tract Infections
-HPV
Medical treatments include anti-fungals, antibiotics, vaccination, chemotherapy and Metformin or other diabetes treatments.
In western medicine the imbalance Dryness correlates to dehydration.
It also correlates to the following diagnoses although western medicine may not outright make the connection that dehydration is a causal factor :
-Diabetes
-Yeast Infections
-Urinary Tract Infections
-HPV
Medical treatments include anti-fungals, antibiotics, vaccination, chemotherapy and Metformin or other diabetes treatments.
TCM:
The concept of Dryness correlates to TCM patterns with Kidney Yin Deficiency; Yin Deficiency; or Dryness. Dryness is a simplified concept that does not differentiate further than the end-symptom.
The concept of Dryness correlates to TCM patterns with Kidney Yin Deficiency; Yin Deficiency; or Dryness. Dryness is a simplified concept that does not differentiate further than the end-symptom.
Associated Risks:
-Migraines
-Insomnia
-Type II Diabetes
-High Blood Pressure
-Scaly Skin or Dry Patches
-Premature Aging and Wrinkles
-Fevers
-Pregnancy: gestational diabetes, first trimester morning sickness, low amniotic fluid
-Menopause: incapacitating hot flashes
-Migraines
-Insomnia
-Type II Diabetes
-High Blood Pressure
-Scaly Skin or Dry Patches
-Premature Aging and Wrinkles
-Fevers
-Pregnancy: gestational diabetes, first trimester morning sickness, low amniotic fluid
-Menopause: incapacitating hot flashes
Health Topics/Concerns:
-Vaginal Dryness
-Painful Sex
-Gestational Diabetes
-Type II Diabetes
-Vaginal Dryness
-Painful Sex
-Gestational Diabetes
-Type II Diabetes
Treatment Principles:
-Nourish kidneys, blood and internal fluids
-Hydrate
-Nourish kidneys, blood and internal fluids
-Hydrate
Steam Advice:
STEAM RESPONSIVENESS
Effective. It may work as a stand alone therapy, however, it is important to eliminate the source of the imbalance so that the problem does not continue.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
Steam is moist and helps to immediately alleviate topical dryness symptoms.
WHAT TO EXPECT
People often report an immediate decline in severity of symptoms. After one to two months the symptoms may resolve entirely – however this depends on if the source of the Dryness is eliminated (see helpful practices and food therapy recommendations). If the source of the issue is not resolved, weekly steaming can still be helpful for managing the symptoms but they will likely continue to return until the source of the issue is resolved.
STEAM THERAPIST RECOMMENDATION
It is helpful to work with a practitioner to find out the right steam setup, duration and herbs. A Peristeam Facilitator can help with this. Usually someone with excess heat would never steam longer than 10 min duration, would not steam with an electric burner and would use the cooling herb formula (though they may need the hemostatic herb formula instead). In some cases the duration might be longer.
Steaming three times in a row and then weekly is a great schedule. If not seeing results with this schedule it would be recommended to have a consultation with a Peristeam Hydrotherapist.
DEDICATION TIME
For best results dedicate three full months to steaming and following all of the additional recommendations.
STEAM RESPONSIVENESS
Effective. It may work as a stand alone therapy, however, it is important to eliminate the source of the imbalance so that the problem does not continue.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
Steam is moist and helps to immediately alleviate topical dryness symptoms.
WHAT TO EXPECT
People often report an immediate decline in severity of symptoms. After one to two months the symptoms may resolve entirely – however this depends on if the source of the Dryness is eliminated (see helpful practices and food therapy recommendations). If the source of the issue is not resolved, weekly steaming can still be helpful for managing the symptoms but they will likely continue to return until the source of the issue is resolved.
STEAM THERAPIST RECOMMENDATION
It is helpful to work with a practitioner to find out the right steam setup, duration and herbs. A Peristeam Facilitator can help with this. Usually someone with excess heat would never steam longer than 10 min duration, would not steam with an electric burner and would use the cooling herb formula (though they may need the hemostatic herb formula instead). In some cases the duration might be longer.
Steaming three times in a row and then weekly is a great schedule. If not seeing results with this schedule it would be recommended to have a consultation with a Peristeam Hydrotherapist.
DEDICATION TIME
For best results dedicate three full months to steaming and following all of the additional recommendations.
Helpful Practices:
-Herbal Bath with Cooling Herbs
-Vitamin S Guidelines
-Reduce any Coffee, Hot Yoga, Hot tubs, Alcohol, Smoking and other things that make the body hot
-Hydrate yourself on an empty stomach first thing in the morning and between meals
-Maintain a good balance between rest and activity. This allows the kidneys to stay healthy and keep the internal fluids of the body at a healthy level. Over-activity taxes the kidneys and causes fluids to dry up.
-Herbal Bath with Cooling Herbs
-Vitamin S Guidelines
-Reduce any Coffee, Hot Yoga, Hot tubs, Alcohol, Smoking and other things that make the body hot
-Hydrate yourself on an empty stomach first thing in the morning and between meals
-Maintain a good balance between rest and activity. This allows the kidneys to stay healthy and keep the internal fluids of the body at a healthy level. Over-activity taxes the kidneys and causes fluids to dry up.
Food Therapy:
-Moisturing/Cooling Food Guidelines (hydrate, eat 50% fruit and veggies, yin tonics)
-Food Therapy for Lubrication (fruit, gelatin, goji berries, tapioca, chia seeds, oatmeal, boba, okra, nopales, aloe vera and other foods that have a natural gel in them)
-Reduce Coffee/Alcohol/Spicy Foods
-Moisturing/Cooling Food Guidelines (hydrate, eat 50% fruit and veggies, yin tonics)
-Food Therapy for Lubrication (fruit, gelatin, goji berries, tapioca, chia seeds, oatmeal, boba, okra, nopales, aloe vera and other foods that have a natural gel in them)
-Reduce Coffee/Alcohol/Spicy Foods
Referrals:
STEAM FACILITATOR (Peristeam Facilitator)
Important for getting the right steam setup, herbs and duration.
STEAM THERAPIST (Peristeam Hydrotherapist)
If general steaming does not help, a consultation with a Steam Therapist is recommended.
ACUPUNCTURE
Acupuncture is a great add-on for naturally trying to correct the Dryness imbalance. Needling helps the body replenish its fluids and internal herbs help to hydrate the internal organs and fluids.
More importantly acupuncture targets the root of the problem – the kidneys – by strengthening them so they can function more optimally.
STEAM FACILITATOR (Peristeam Facilitator)
Important for getting the right steam setup, herbs and duration.
STEAM THERAPIST (Peristeam Hydrotherapist)
If general steaming does not help, a consultation with a Steam Therapist is recommended.
ACUPUNCTURE
Acupuncture is a great add-on for naturally trying to correct the Dryness imbalance. Needling helps the body replenish its fluids and internal herbs help to hydrate the internal organs and fluids.
More importantly acupuncture targets the root of the problem – the kidneys – by strengthening them so they can function more optimally.
