Autumn Dryness
In Chinese medicine theory, there is a concept called “autumn dryness.” During fall months, China's climate tends to be dry. As Chinese medicine developed, practitioners realized herbal remedies needed to be adjusted during the dry months because of the ill effect of overly drying a person's respiratory system. The lungs, more than any other organ, get easily parched on account of breathing the dry air.
Herbalists began using moistening ingredients in herbal formulas for respiratory conditions during dry times, with favorable results. Eventually, a subcategory within herbal medicine was dubbed “autumn dryness.” Curiously, this theory is given only minor play in the Chinese medicine texts, and these formulas are rarely used or mass produced.
However, for those of us living in the Rocky Mountains and desert Southwest of the United States, “autumn dryness” would better be called 24/7/365 dryness. Autumn dryness is a year-round event here! We never escape it. Even when it rains hard, the next day is dry. Any herbal formula for respiratory conditions in an arid climate must take this into account. Otherwise, while drying phlegm from allergies, a sinus infection or a cough, we will also dry the nasal mucosa and cement in what little phlegm exists.
At Dr Dave's Herbal Medicine, we recognize and address this phenomena. First and foremost, we moisten the nasal passageways when treating respiratory conditions. We also increase circulation and gently transform phlegm. Addressing dryness in this fashion is the most effective way to treat respiratory conditions for people who live or work in a dry, arid environment.
