Our body is 75% water and each of our cells is filled with it. It is easy to understand that Drought can be an important pathogenic factor. When the Drought which manifests itself in the organism is consecutive to that of the environment, it is called external Drought. It can also come from the body itself, independently of the humidity level of the surrounding environment; it is then about internal drought.

There is a constant exchange of moisture between the body and the outside, the two elements tending towards a “moisture balance”. In nature, it is always the wettest element that transfers its moisture to the drier. Thus, in a very humid environment, the body absorbs water from the environment. On the other hand, in a dry environment, the body directs its liquids outwards by evaporation: it dries up. It is most often this state that causes imbalances. If this happens over a long period of time or if you are in an extremely dry environment, symptoms such as thirst, excessive dryness of the mouth, throat, lips, tongue, nose or skin, as well as dry stools, scant urine, and dull, dry hair. These very dry environments are found in certain extreme climatic zones, but also in overheated and poorly ventilated houses.

Internal dryness usually appears when the heat is too abundant or following other problems that have caused fluid loss (excess sweating, profuse diarrhea, too much urine, severe vomiting, etc.). The symptoms are similar to those of External Dryness. If the internal dryness reaches the lungs, we will also find manifestations such as a dry cough and traces of blood in the sputum.

Traditional Chinese Medicine considers the stomach to be the source of body fluids, because it is the stomach that receives fluids from food and drink. Eating at irregular times, in a rush or returning to work immediately after a meal can interfere with the proper functioning of the stomach, and thus affect the quality of fluids in the body, which eventually leads to Internal Dryness.