Kit Li
I certainly noticed the difference in my own body. When I washed my face first thing in the morning, my skin felt unusually tight and slightly itchy. I was also feeling quite thirsty throughout the day.
From a conventional perspective, low humidity can increase moisture loss from the skin, leaving it feeling dry and uncomfortable. Staying well hydrated by drinking enough water is important.
From a TCM perspective, however, hydration is more than simply drinking water. The body needs to properly transform, transport and distribute fluids so they can nourish the skin and tissues (1). Therefore, supporting Yin and maintaining the health of the internal organs are also important for nourishing the body’s fluids and maintaining healthy hydration.
There was another factor I couldn’t ignore: my recent diet. With all the BBQs lately, I had been eating rather too much deep-fried and rich food, and I could feel a sense of heat building up in my body.
From a TCM perspective, excessive consumption of rich, greasy or heavily fried foods may contribute to the accumulation of Heat and Dampness, particularly when the Spleen’s transportation and transformation functions are not working optimally.
When external dryness combines with internal Heat, symptoms such as thirst, dry or itchy skin, a feeling of tightness, and general discomfort may become more noticeable.
For me, the message from my body was quite simple: Beautiful weather is something to enjoy, but perhaps it was also time to cut back on the fried food, nourish my body with more wholesome foods, and pay a little more attention to my body fluids.
Sometimes, our everyday symptoms are simply the body's way of asking us to slow down, observe, and make a few small adjustments.
As the weather becomes drier, especially during the transition from late summer into early autumn, some people may notice increased thirst, a dry mouth or throat, dry skin, or a general feeling of dryness.
I often recommend Asian pears as a simple food choice during this seasonal transition. From a TCM perspective, pear is considered cooling and nourishing to the Lung, and is traditionally used to help moisten dryness and generate fluids.
Today, I made a simple nourishing soup for my family:
Simple TCM-inspired Soup for Dryness (Serves 3)
- Dried Pear (乾梨, Qián Lí) : 1 - 2 pieces
- Five-fingered Fig Root (五指毛桃, Wǔ Zhǐ Máo Táo) : 15 - 20 g
- Chinese Yam (淮山, Huái Shān) : 15 - 20 g
- Ophiopogon Tuber (麥冬, Mài Dōng) : 10 - 15 g
- Water : 1.2 - 1.5 litres
TCM properties & traditional functions
Five-fingered Fig Root (五指毛桃 Wǔ Zhǐ Máo Táo)
Chinese Yam (淮山 Huái Shān) (1)
Ophiopogon Tuber (麥冬 Mài Dōng) (2)
Preparation
- Rinse all the ingredients thoroughly.
- Add everything to approximately 1.2 - 1.5 litres of water.
- Bring to a boil, then simmer gently for 45 mins.
- Serve warm.
From a TCM perspective, this combination focuses on generating fluids, nourishing Yin, supporting the Spleen and Lung, and gently addressing seasonal dryness.
It is a simple food-based soup rather than a substitute for individualised herbal treatment. As always in TCM, the same food or herb may not be appropriate for everyone, particularly for people with significant Cold, Spleen Yang deficiency or Dampness with Phlegm.
Sometimes, supporting the body through seasonal changes does not have to be complicated. A simple bowl of nourishing soup can be a beautiful place to start.
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