As the winter temperatures continue dropping here in Maine, common complaints in the clinic are symptoms of dry eyes, dry sinuses, headache, dry throat, and sometimes changes in digestion. Indoor heating systems circulate very dry air, which can dry out body fluids in the sinuses, eyes, lungs, and skin.
Traditional East Asian Medicine (TEAM) understands dryness as a healthy part of nature, but excessive dryness can start to impact our internal organs’ functions. From a TEAM perspective, the Lung and Large Intestine are paired organs which have a close relationship with each other. When dryness enters the lungs (including sinuses) as we breathe in dry air, it is common to also experience dryness in the large intestine. This often shows up as dry, hard stools, even if you’re drinking enough water. In fact, if dryness from the environment persists over time, it can hinder our body’s ability to properly absorb and metabolize the water we do take in. Countering excess dryness in the body can be an important way of preventing other issues down the road.
Here are a few ways you can counteract dryness at home!
Sinus steams:
Sinus steaming can be an excellent way to rehydrate your nasal passages. The easiest way to do this is by boiling 4-8 cups of water, allowing it to cool slightly for about 10 minutes, and adding to a bowl. With the water still steaming, you can create a tent which will allow the steam to enter your sinuses. To do this, simply lean over the bowl and place a thin towel over your head, which prevents the steam from dispersing elsewhere into the air. Make sure to keep your eyes closed so that the steam doesn’t burn your eyes. The steam can still be absorbed through the skin and often helps with symptoms of dry eyes. If you are experiencing congestion, adding a drop of eucalyptus essential oil can be helpful to open up the lungs. Doing a sinus steam daily can help curb dryness symptoms and prevent more systemic dryness problems from occurring. Keeping the nasal cilia moist allows them to better do their job of keeping out respiratory pathogens from the body.
Asian Pear soup:
Because the Lung and Large intestine are so closely linked, eating moistening foods can also have a bidirectional effect and help with systemic dryness. In Traditional East Asian Medicine (TEAM), pears are considered cooling and are often used to soothe and moisten the lungs. In addition to their lubricating nature, they can also clear heat from the body, dissolve mucus, and relieve a stubborn cough.
A traditional way of preparing pears medicinally is by making a soup. To do this, chop up 2-3 pears (Asian preferably, but any kind will do), cover with water, bring to a boil, and then simmer on low for 20-30 minutes. If you want to beautify this cooking experience, the pears can also be peeled and poached whole in the pot. Either way, adding goji berries or jujubes (Chinese dates) will help enhance the blood-nourishing properties of the soup and add color, flavor, and sweetness. Cinnamon can be added as well if desired. Read more about the properties of pear soup here.
Humidifier:
Using a humidifier in your living space will certainly help to combat the dry air. We recommend finding one with a filter to help take out any viruses or bacteria before circulating moisture into the air.
If you don’t have access to one, another method of moistening the air is to boil a pot of water on the stove with 2-3 lemons sliced or cut in half. The acrid, aromatic nature of the lemons can help the steam make its way into the sinuses and lungs.
Drink Plenty of Warm Water:
We know that drinking water seems obvious, but drinking warm water and tea make it easier for your body to absorb the fluid. Sometimes when we’re very dry, it can feel like water just “goes right through us” and we only end up urinating frequently. If this sounds like you, it’s especially helpful to drink warm/hot water at least some of the time. It’s soothing to your digestive tract and less work for your body to absorb.
We hope you find these suggestions helpful! If you try some of these remedies, let us know in the comments!