What to Do When Throat Fire and Dry Lips Occur in Autumn?
Autumn truly embodies the TCM concept of “autumn dryness”: lips remain dry, throats often feel inflamed. How can these “specific difficulties” be resolved?
According to the Five Elements theory, autumn belongs to Metal, and the lungs belong to Metal. Thus, during this season, dryness is the dominant phenomenon.
How to combat this enemy “dryness”? Summer’s intense heat has depleted our body fluids. Autumn dryness further attacks us. Busy professionals focused on careers and wealth accumulation should now prioritize replenishing body fluids—first, replenish; second, prevent loss.
Drinking water replenishes body fluids, yet even after drinking plenty, lips still feel dry. What to do?
• Limit oily, sweet, spicy, and salty foods in autumn; favor light diets; avoid sugary drinks.
• Increase intake of whole grains and foods rich in fiber and minerals to promote bowel movements. Why is bowel movement linked to fluid replenishment? Because chronic constipation prevents fire from being released, thereby burning up body fluids.
• Exercise regularly—physical activity boosts circulation, naturally enriching body fluids.
• Favor slightly cooling foods in diet; limit warming foods such as lamb, dog meat, shrimp, and leeks. Many cooling foods exist: tofu, black beans, pears, silver ear fungus, sesame, lilies, lotus root, sea cucumber, honey, eggs, bitter melon, etc.
• Avoid emotional extremes. Ask yourself: Are your emotions unstable? Are you irritable? These generate internal fire, consuming body fluids and causing dry mouth and tongue.
• Eat fruits like grapes and pears; avoid warming ones like lychee and apples.
Can drinking water or tea prevent dryness? Certainly. But relying solely on this is insufficient. On weekends, prepare soups or congees yourself—this is key to preventing dryness.
Even if you drink lots of water, soup, and congee, but once at work, you get furious over minor issues, no amount of hydration will help—lips will still feel dry.
For example, you drink tea all morning, but lunch includes heavy meat dishes, sweets, and cola—your morning water intake is wasted.
Therefore, eat more anti-dryness foods and avoid those that exacerbate dryness. Also manage your overall condition and emotions—then you won’t suffer from dryness anymore.
During this season, try to speak less—avoid constant talking. Don’t underestimate this—it also helps prevent dryness.