From a constitutional perspective, it seems that most natural medicines have a drying impact upon the tissues. Whether or not it’s from growing urination, exocrine gland secretions, sweating…. there are numerous ways in which herbs result in fluids leaving the physique and this finally has a internet drying impact.
Thus, figuring out your moistening materia medica is essential for achievement as an herbalist and a formulator, particularly in our fashionable world the place there’s a nice prevalence of constitutional dryness.
Cross evaluating totally different conventional fashions of dryness, we see that in Chinese language Medication it’s known as Yin Deficiency. In Ayurveda dryness is ruled by the Vata Dosha, which additionally tends to be chilly and tense. From the attitude of our western natural energetic mannequin, this is able to be categorised because the Dry/Atrophy tissue state, characterised by weak spot, emaciation, withering tissues which can be malnourished and loosing perform. I bear in mind one time Michael Tierra commented in a lecture that Yin Deficiency is probably going considered one of probably the most ignored patterns by western herbalists and can normally be an impediment to treatment. If the herbs you might be giving aren’t working and must be working then it’s doubtless you could have an underlying Yin Deficiency to appropriate.
With regard to natural formulation, figuring out your moistening cures is essential as a result of most natural cures are drying in nature. There are sometimes instances you wish to give somebody a sure herb, however the moisture high quality of the herb could not match that of the particular person. It doesn’t imply you may’t give that herb to them, you merely have to formulate it in a means that can convey it into better stability for that particular person.
It is a formulation precept we see within the Unani-Tibb system (Arabic drugs) referred to as corrigents. That is oftentimes seen as simply including sure herbs to formulation to make them style higher, however essentially the precept of corrigents is including cures to an natural components to appropriate its underlying energetics or constitutional actions.
On this put up I share some core ideas of dryness within the physique, how and why to make use of moistening cures and some of my favourite examples.
If we take a look at most of our natural medicines, we see that plenty of them are typically drying energetically. They’re bitter, warming or astringent and so they are inclined to make the physique secrete fluids that over the long run depart the physique dry or have a drying impact. That is essential as a result of the dynamic of dryness by way of the state of our tissues or the state of somebody’s structure is frequent or what in Chinese language drugs is known as yin deficiency. Yin is mainly speaking concerning the fluidic component of the physique. The qualities of yin are cool, sinking and moistening, so when that yin high quality turns into poor, oftentimes it manifests constitutionally as dryness.
In our Western physiomedicalist custom, this is able to be known as the dry atrophy tissue state. In Ayurveda, this is able to be thought of an extra of vata dosha, which is predominantly the dry dosha in Ayurveda.
The dry atrophy tissue state mainly describes vata. An extra of vata presents as chilly, dry, tense, gentle, cell, mutable, changeable. It’s ruled by the air and ether parts and people two parts within the Ayurvedic custom are mentioned to have a drying motion on the physique. However one of many issues about dry atrophy is that this dynamic of “atrophy.” Atrophy mainly means withering, weakening, emaciating of the tissues, as a result of the tissues aren’t getting the vitamin that they require. And they also grow to be very brittle or very weak and malnourished, emaciated and finally aren’t functioning as correctly as they need to.
So why would that be? Principally what we’re speaking about right here is the Water component, predominantly in deficiency. And this fluid component of the physique manifests in two types: water and oil, exhibiting us that there are two varieties of hydration; water hydration and oil hydration. The oil part is one thing that’s generally ignored by way of hydration. We see the significance of that with the sebaceous secretions on the pores and skin, the oily secretions of the pores and skin. We see that with the nervous system, which is coated in oils. We see that with the hair. Actually each cell membrane of your physique consists of fat and oils, which known as the phospholipid bilayer. The integrity of the membrane of the cell is set by the standard of the oils that we’re getting predominantly from our food regimen. Because of this consuming crappy oils isn’t good—as a result of if you happen to’re consuming hydrogenated oils or unnatural processed sorts of oils, the integrity of that cell membrane is compromised. A cell membrane must be very fluid. It’s suspended on this aqueous matrix—or the extracellular fluid, and if that cell membrane is mainly hydrogenated—i.e., stable—it turns into inflexible. If it’s inflexible, then it impacts inner-cellular communication and impacts the channels of the cell’s means to open and shut, to obtain vitamins, and to expel waste merchandise.
One of many issues that we see with a deficiency of both water or oil is that this atrophy, this emaciation, this weak spot that begins to occur within the physique. Fluids are the supply mechanism. Most of our physique is water. If we’re poor in that water, then the physique’s going to have a particularly troublesome time delivering vitamins to the cells. If the cell is all dried up and cracked and the river is dried up, it’s going to be fairly arduous to ship vitamins to that cell to nourish it. Conversely, it’s additionally going to be very troublesome for that cell to adequately expel and eradicate its waste merchandise. As a result of that fluid component isn’t solely delivering vitamins. It’s additionally permitting the waste merchandise to go away the cell, get delivered to the liver or the kidneys to be finally eradicated from the physique.
So with the dry atrophy tissue state, we see not solely the cells changing into weak and emaciated from an absence of vitamins, but in addition an accumulation of metabolic waste merchandise, as a result of nothing’s going to have the ability to get in or get out. Every thing is caught.
The dry atrophy tissue state additionally particularly impacts a few totally different tissues and organs. We see it impacts the mucus membranes which line the lungs, the urinary tract, and the digestive system. When these mucus membranes grow to be dry, the native immunity in these organ methods grow to be impaired as a result of our immune system want fluids within the mucus membranes to be current. So if the mucus membranes aren’t secreting, we’re going to see decreased immunity in these native tissues.
We additionally see that the nervous system strongly affected by this tissue state as a result of the nervous system is coated in oils. What we name the “myelin sheathing” that surrounds the nerves which permits {the electrical} indicators by the nervous system to be carried out, in addition to for these neurotransmitters to cross the synaptic cleft. After we see dryness in there, it actually impacts the nerves. Because of this vata tends to be tense and nervous.
Lastly we see it have an effect on the endocrine system. Loads of this comes again to the oil piece, as a result of plenty of the hormones in our physique want oil to perform. Hormones usually need to journey an extended distance by the physique, and if that oil is poor, we will really see endocrine perform lowered, as a result of their supply mechanism isn’t there. That’s one component of endocrine imbalance that I don’t suppose many individuals take a look at. We are inclined to ask whether or not it’s too excessive or too low. However we don’t take a look at whether or not it could possibly even journey by the physique to get to the place it must go, which may finally be affected by oil. We additionally see that with the adrenal glands—plenty of the manufacturing of these adrenal hormones is fats. The entire outer a part of the adrenal gland is mainly fats. So after we see this oily dehydration or atrophy tissue state in its extra excessive manifestation, you may see precise adrenal atrophy, which might be true adrenal burnout and fatigue, which is fairly severe. It’s not simply that you just’re drained or really feel like your adrenals are burned out, it’s deep, very important exhaustion. It’s a fairly severe state.
So I needed to say a few of the totally different patterns that we see in Jap and Western methods and the way these are inclined to manifest inside the physique. As a result of most of our herbs are drying, this makes our moistening materia medica essential to study, essential to review and know the specificities of our totally different moistening herbs.
One of many issues that Michael Tierra says about yin deficiency is that for Western herbalists, it’s really probably the most generally ignored points of somebody. In a workshop I took with Tierra at an herb convention years in the past, he mentioned that in case your herbs aren’t working or your protocol isn’t working and also you’re giving them the entire “proper” herbs, there’s fairly doubtless an under-the-surface yin deficiency, as a result of yin as this fluid component is what permits the physique to soak up and distribute issues. So if the yin is poor, then the physique isn’t going to have the ability to make use of what you’re giving it, as a result of it could possibly’t soak up and it could possibly’t distribute and make the most of the protocol that you just’re giving it. Tierra mentioned that it’s probably the most ignored patterns that you must study to evaluate. He says that yin deficiency is quite common with excessive vata, stress, nervous, tense, anxious, not sufficient sleep, ingesting an excessive amount of espresso, consuming processed meals, not ingesting sufficient water, not consuming ample oils. All of these items compound right into a yin-deficient, dry, high-vata constitutional sample in an individual. Therefore we have to know our moistening materia medica.
I inform my college students that it’s greatest to only study all of the herbs which can be usually moistening and particularly what organ methods they’re moistening for. After which mainly from there on, you may assume that the majority different herbs are drying. Clearly there are exceptions to that rule, like all rule in natural drugs.
Usually, what we’re here’s a class of herbs that we consult with as demulcents or emollients. Demulcents mainly moisten dryness. One factor that dryness finally results in is hardness. So emollients soften hardness. Finally one thing that’s demulcent is emollient and one thing that’s emollient is demulcent. They’re just about the identical factor. They’ve only a barely totally different that means.
These are cures that usually include mucilaginous polysaccharides which have a candy taste to them and that finally generate yin contained in the physique, that means that they enhance hydration and moisture inside the tissues, predominantly inside the mucosal membranes. That’s actually the place we see most of our demulcents work. Once more, that’s the lungs, that’s the intestine, and that’s the urinary tract. We do have sure herbs that work on all of those very properly. These are our extra frequent or standard demulcents, however then we do have sure demulcents which may have extra particular affinities for the sure organ methods.
My primary demulcent straight up is marshmallow (Althaea officinalis). I take advantage of marshmallow lots. One factor about many, although not all, demulcents is that they’re solely water soluble. That’s not true throughout the board, however for probably the most half, mucilaginous polysaccharides are usually not effectively extracted in alcohol. Slippery elm (Ulmus rubra) is one other demulcent, although I desire to make use of marshmallow as a result of slippery elm has a threatened ecological standing. It’s been on the United Plant Savers at-risk listing for some time. Paul Bergner says that any elm will do, any Ulmus will do. They’ve completed some experiments with different species of elm and proven them to have demulcent properties. Possibly not fairly as demulcent as slippery elm, nevertheless it’s nonetheless there.
However marshmallow root to me is the quintessential demulcent yin, tonic, moistening treatment in Western herbalism. It’s received an affinity for the lungs, the intestine, and the urinary tract. It’s very versatile in its affinity for the entire mucus membranes of the physique. Just about any time I see somebody with dryness, I like to recommend they begin taking some powdered marshmallow. It’s usually the best method to take it. Or we will have them make a chilly infusion, mixing a pair tablespoons of the dried herb in a quart of water. Let it sit in a single day on the counter after which drink that all through the day.
One other main demulcent that we see finally coming from Chinese language drugs, nevertheless it’s so built-in in Western herbalism that it’s mainly a Western herb, is licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra). It is a treatment formulated with lots in Chinese language drugs, and so they say it’s a harmonizer. The way in which I’ve heard plenty of herbalists speak about licorice is that it harmonizes a components as a result of it tastes good. I feel that’s true to a sure extent, however finally the explanation I feel licorice is a harmonizer is as a result of it moistens formulation that usually are actually drying. Since most herbs are drying, I feel because of this licorice was used a lot in Chinese language drugs—as a result of they acknowledge that if we add a bit little bit of this into our formulation, it’s not going to be as considerably drying as it might be with out the licorice. Licorice has a fairly sturdy affinity for the respiratory system by way of its moistening properties, although it’ll have an effect on the intestine and the urinary tract. Technically licorice can just about have an effect on in every single place within the physique as a result of it’s a posh treatment. It does have an affinity for atrophied adrenal glands. Licorice is a wonderful treatment to contemplate.
Cures which can be actually nice within the lungs embrace Mullein leaf. Plantain is an efficient one. One other one which I like however is extra of a fringy treatment is pleurisy root (Asclepias tuberosa), which is a pleasant moistening treatment for lungs. Plantain may also work within the intestine. I like marshmallow within the intestine in addition to. For the urinary tract, plantain goes to work in there too. I additionally like corn silk (zea mays), which is all of the little stringy stuff contained in the corn whenever you’re shucking corn. It’s demulcent and moistening for the urinary tract. One other treatment is sofa grass (Elymus repens). It’s a pleasant demulcent, soothing, cooling, moistening treatment within the urinary tract. So it’s good so as to add to formulation for urinary tract infections, particularly these the place it’s sizzling, irritated, dry, presumably bleeding. These herbs formulate very properly with issues like uva ursi or Oregon grape or yarrow or pipsissewa, a few of these different cures that could be a bit bit extra drying within the urinary tract.
One other treatment that I actually like that doesn’t match within the mucosal membrane dynamic is definitely extra within the joints, and that treatment is Solomon’s seal (Polygonatum). Solomon’s seal is great for what we’d name yin deficiency within the joints or excessive vata within the joints—dry, creaky, popping, cracking, stiffness within the joints. Solomon’s seal brings plenty of moisture into the joints. It’s an superior treatment that I’ve used lots. One other treatment that I like for the joints is pleurisy root, which is good for drawing moisture into the joints. These are the 2 predominant ones that I like. Licorice can be utilized there as effectively.
For the nervous system, my prime treatment for dry atrophy within the nerves is milky oats (Avena sativa). It’s a wonderful moistening treatment that’s fairly impartial temperature smart. I hardly ever say that everybody can take an herb, however I really feel like nearly everybody can take milky oats safely. It’s very mild. However it’s very good for restoring and rebuilding. That’s a key factor for atrophy within the nervous system. The previous docs would consult with that as neurasthenia or nervous system burnout. It’s considered one of our most particular cures there. I’ve milky oats in just about each nervous system components as a result of plenty of our nervine cures are typically drying—both they’re warming and drying like valerian or asafetida or they are typically bitter and drying like motherwort or skullcap or hops. Bitter tends to be draining on the system, so I actually like so as to add milky oats to plenty of these formulation as a result of it moistens and balances the components out. It’s ironic as a result of plenty of our nervines are typically drying, but the structure that will get nervous is vata and vata is dry.
Vata is probably the most troublesome structure to deal with (a) as a result of it adjustments lots, however (b) as a result of they’re dry and most of our herbs are dry. So you could have to pay attention to this everytime you’re treating both vata circumstances or somebody with a vata structure. You’ve received to just remember to’re not overly drying them out. You might want to know to test for that. So dry pores and skin, dry hair, dry eyes, dry mouth, a dry tongue—perhaps cracking or in severe circumstances withering—dry constipation, a dry cough—simply dryness. Normally folks know in the event that they really feel very dry. So that you simply wish to assess these sorts of issues.
Within the liver, we have now milk thistle (Silybum marianum). That is considered one of our cures that’s particular for what we’d consult with within the Chinese language mannequin as liver yin deficiency. Milk thistle is good for serving to the liver to course of metabolic waste merchandise, to rebuild and strengthen an atrophied liver. Because of this the “atrophy” piece of that tissue state is so essential, as a result of it’s not simply dry, it’s this weak, withering, brittle, not-functioning-as-well property. That’s an essential indication for these kind of cures. Milk thistle is nice by way of that dryness or atrophy within the liver.
That is going to confuse you at first, however I’m going to do my greatest to elucidate it: the opposite motion that may be nice for dryness is astringents. How can an astringent be good for dryness? That doesn’t make any sense. You eat a inexperienced banana and it dries your mouth out, otherwise you let your black tea steep too lengthy and also you drink it, and every thing will get dry. How can an astringent be good for dryness? Effectively, we’ve received to suppose this by.
Astringents deal with a tissue state that we name leisure. Matt Wooden refers to this as damp leisure. It is a state of the tissues when the tone of the tissue is unfastened. So as a substitute of being good and tight, it will get unfastened and lax and boggy and type of saggy. It loses its tone, like a guitar string that’s not wound too tight. A tissue that has misplaced its tone doesn’t maintain fluids in. So with the relief tissue state, what we will see is extra sweating, urination, diarrhea. The previous time period for diarrhea was leisure of the bowel. It’s not holding fluids in.
Say somebody’s sweating on a regular basis, peeing on a regular basis, and has diarrhea on a regular basis. They’ve received the worst of the worst of this tissue state. On the floor, they give the impression of being actually moist. All this fluid is simply pouring out of them. However that fluid goes out of the physique. These fluids are leaving the physique, which finally within the long-term goes to result in dryness. So it is not uncommon for long-term damp leisure, if the fluids are leaving the physique, to show into dry atrophy. Now there are methods this tissue state will be current however the fluids don’t depart the physique, like with hemorrhoids or varicose veins or prolapsed tissues or prolapsed organs, and so forth. That’s nonetheless the relief tissue state, however they’re not dropping fluids. But when this tissue state is current and so they’re leaking a bunch of fluids out, finally they’re going to get dry.
The way in which that we deal with that leisure is by astringents, by taking that unfastened, flabby, floppy tissue and tightening it up, bringing extra tone again so then it could possibly maintain these fluids in. This may be complicated, but when somebody is leaking fluids on a regular basis, it doesn’t matter how far more fluids you set of their system. In the event that they hold leaking them out, they’re not holding it in. Consider a backyard hose with a gap in it. Should you’re not getting sufficient water popping out of the sprinkler as a result of there’s a gap within the backyard hose, it doesn’t matter how far more water you pressure by the hose. You’ve received to patch the opening. That’s what our astringents do.
Because of this typically, particularly in Matthew Wooden’s work, you’ll see issues that appear a bit bit paradoxical. I used to be simply studying by his Earthwise Natural Repertory, and he’s received an entire part on the tissue states. I used to be a few of his lists of cures for dry atrophy. One treatment that he had there’s Ceanothus, which is purple root. Pink root is so astringent, bitter and intense! I have a tendency to think about that for leisure. Or I consider it for stagnation. However he had it as a treatment for dry atrophy. I spotted that it’s as a result of it’s astringent, and it’s going to carry the fluids in a bit bit higher. That’s my mind-set it by.
You even have to grasp that lots of Matthew Wooden’s herb listings for this tissue state could not essentially be centered on the dry facet of it, however extra for the atrophy facet of it. A great instance of that will be nettles. Nettles is a fairly drying treatment. It makes you pee extra. It’s very diuretic. However it’s good for the atrophy aspect of this tissue state, which is weak, emaciated, and malnourished. Nettles is stuffed with amino acids and vitamins and minerals and that may assist to rebuild and restore that emaciation aspect of this tissue state.
There are totally different astringent cures, from oak bark to blackberry root to purple root to sage, raspberry leaf, woman’s mantle, rose, yarrow. These are all fantastic astringents. It is a very particular utility of a sure type of treatment that you just solely wish to use when there’s dryness related to leisure.
These are a few of our predominant actions that we wish to take into consideration, that we wish to take into account for this dry atrophy tissue state. Because of this you must know your moistening cures. I actually encourage you to analysis herbs that can moisten vata or nourish yin if you happen to’re finding out Chinese language methods, or simply enhance dampness within the tissues. These are all essential cures to know.
I hope that was illuminating and clarifying for you. Clearly I didn’t cowl each single moistening treatment within the universe. I needed to present you a context right here of one thing to consider, one thing to start to pay attention to each in your research and analysis and work with medicinal vegetation and likewise whenever you begin working with folks to begin tuning into this moisture high quality. Is the particular person dry? Are they absorbing? Are they distributing? Is there any water or oil dehydration? Be sure that your shoppers are ingesting sufficient water, that they’re consuming high quality oils and fat of their food regimen. Hopefully this offers you a great tool you can take out into the world and assist folks.
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