In Traditional Chinese Medicine, we have a saying: "Yin deficiency leads to dryness." What does this mean? It means that the Yin fluids in our body are like the lubricating oil for our internal parts. If there isn't enough Yin fluid to nourish the body, all sorts of dryness and heat-related issues will arise.

First, let's talk about Kidney Dryness. The Kidney is the "Prenatal Foundation" of our body. When Kidney Yin is insufficient and dryness sets in, it becomes difficult to fall asleep. You might toss and turn in bed at night, feeling restless, irritable, and having a very dry mouth. Furthermore, you often feel weak with a sore back and aching knees; your cheekbones might look flushed as if wearing rouge, and your body may become thin. Looking at the tongue, it appears red with little coating. This is a clear sign of Kidney Yin deficiency and Kidney Dryness, which requires nourishing Yin and tonifying the Kidney.

Next, let's talk about liver dryness. The liver opens into the eyes and governs the tendons. If liver yin is deficient and liver yang rises, a person is prone to numbness in the hands and feet, weakness in the limbs, and eyes that are dry, itchy, and blurred. One's temperament also becomes particularly poor, leading to frequent outbursts of anger, distending pain in the chest and hypochondrium, and restless sleep filled with constant dreaming. The sides of the tongue will appear swollen and red. In such cases, it is necessary to nourish liver yin to soothe the liver.

Then there is lung dryness. The lungs govern the skin and hair. If the lungs become "irritable" and dry, the skin suffers. It becomes parched and uncomfortably itchy, much like a dehydrated sapling. This may also be accompanied by a dry cough, a dry throat, and a dry nose. At this time, one must nourish yin and moisten the lungs to "cool down" the lungs and allow the skin to become hydrated again.

Finally, let's discuss stomach dryness. When stomach yin is insufficient, the stomach loses its nourishment and generates deficiency fire. This deficiency fire acts like a mischievous child, accelerating the digestion of food, which causes a person to feel hungry very quickly. Curiously, despite the rapid hunger, there is often little appetite, sometimes accompanied by nausea or retching. Upon sticking out the tongue, it appears red with little coating, and there may be depressions or cracks in the center. In this situation, it is necessary to nourish yin and the stomach to restore its normal function.

If you find yourself experiencing these conditions, do not take them lightly; you should seek treatment promptly. Traditional Chinese Medicine emphasizes syndrome differentiation and treatment—everyone's situation is different, so it is best to consult a professional TCM practitioner.