Autumn Dryness Is Stirring—Act Now to Moisturize
People are closely linked to natural climate. In southern regions located in subtropical zones, characterized by fire and damp heat, combined with frequent indulgence in delicacies and cooking methods like stir-frying, stewing, braising, and frying, people easily become dry and prone to internal heat. Thus, "moisturizing" becomes a top priority for Guangdong residents as soon as autumn arrives.
What Makes Autumn So Dry?
A Ning loves traveling during holidays—whether visiting friends or exploring new places. Recently, she spent six days in Jiangxi during National Day. Traveling by train and long-distance bus was exhausting, and her rest was poor. Coupled with cold and dry weather there, she returned looking worn-out and drained—truly paying money for discomfort. A Ning is distressed: just six days, her skin turned dry and yellow, peeling, throat sore, and generally uncomfortable—she didn’t even want to speak.
Dr. Li Aihua, head physician at the Internal Medicine Department of Guangdong Provincial Second Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, says that upon autumn’s arrival, people first notice tight skin, dry mouth, dry tongue, and sore throats. She believes autumn’s climatic feature is “dryness.” Dryness harms body fluids, leading to dry, cracked skin, dry mouth and nose, and sensations of thirst and dry throat. Dryness also damages the lungs, impairing lung function and causing dry cough with little phlegm or even blood-tinged sputum.
Moisturize Against Both External and Internal Dryness—Early and Late Autumn Require Attention
Many herbal remedies and cooling teas serve as viable options for autumn moisturization, Dr. Li Aihua notes. Dryness causes illness when not properly addressed. Autumn dryness falls into two types: external and internal. External dryness results from exposure to dry climates; since it enters via mouth and nose, it primarily affects the lungs. Internal dryness stems from internal fluid deficiency, commonly seen in high fever, vomiting, diarrhea, excessive sweating, or after significant blood loss. Because causes differ, treatments vary: external dryness should be treated with mild dispersing methods, while internal dryness requires moistening and nourishing approaches.
Additionally, external dryness includes warm dryness and cool dryness. Early autumn retains residual summer heat, leading to warm dryness; late autumn approaches winter, with increasing cold and decreasing moisture, resulting in cool dryness.
Autumn Cooling Teas Focus on Nourishing Yin
Dr. Li Aihua points out that autumn cooling teas differ from those used in spring, summer, and winter. In spring and summer, yang energy rises, so light and refreshing teas are preferred to avoid excessive dispersion that depletes qi and yin. During the long summer, damp-heat is common, so teas should focus on clearing heat, eliminating dampness, and relieving summer heat. In winter, yin energy dominates, the body’s pores close tightly, and yang energy remains inward, so cooling teas should not be too cold or intense to avoid damaging yang energy. During autumn, when dryness prevails and easily injures the lungs, the appropriate tea is one that clears the lungs, moistens dryness, and nourishes yin.