Definition:
Dryness is an imbalance where the internal body climate is dehydrated and dry.

The body does not have enough fluids which impacts the kidneys (they need fluids to perform their functions) and the liver (needs water to generate blood).

Dryness may occur: a) because someone is not properly hydrating; or b) because someone may be drinking things that are dehydrating in nature (like red wine, coffee, or soda).

Dryness might also happen because someone’s body is not retaining the fluids they take in. (A person who drinks a lot and urinates frequently or sweats profusely falls into this category.)

If the body does not have enough fluids to act as a coolant in the body it also causes an imbalance of excess heat.

TRIGGERS AND AGGRAVATING FACTORS

• Caffeine

• Alcohol

• Smoking (tobacco, cannabis, hookah)

• Hot Climate

• Dry Climate

• Saunas

• Hot Yoga

• Sweating

• Over Exercise

• Spicy Food

RELATED EMOTIONS

Fear

INDICATORS/BODY SIGNS:

• Thirst

• Night sweats

• Dryness (mouth, throat, skin, hair, nails, lips, vagina)

• Low Libido

• Constipation

• Low Back Pain

• Flaky or Chalky Vaginal Discharge

• Fevers

• Gestational or Type II Diabetes

• Pregnancy: Low Amniotic Fluids

• Premature Aging and Wrinkles

• Headaches

• Kidney Failure

• Urine Imblances (sweet-smelling, difficult, frequent, dark)

• Urinary Tract Infections

Health Topics/Concerns:
Vaginal Dryness
Painful Sex
Gestational Diabetes
Type II Diabetes

Medical Diagnosis and Treatment:
In western medicine the imbalance Dryness correlates to dehydration.

Dryness also correlates to the following diagnoses although western medicine itself may not see dehydration as a causal factor :

Diabetes
Yeast Infections
Urinary Tract Infections
HPV

Medical treatments include anti-fungals, antibiotics, vaccination, chemotherapy and Metformin or other diabetes treatments.

Traditional Chinese Medicine / Acupuncture:
The concept of Dryness correlates to TCM patterns with Kidney Yin Deficiency; Yin Deficiency; or Dryness. Dryness is a simplified concept that does not differentiate further than the end-symptom.

STEAM RESPONSIVENESS
Effective. It may work as a stand-alone therapy, however, it is important to eliminate the source of the imbalance so that the problem does not continue.

HOW DOES IT WORK?
Steam is moist and helps to immediately alleviate topical dryness symptoms.

WHAT TO EXPECT
People often report an immediate decline in the severity of symptoms. After one to two months the symptoms may resolve entirely – however, this depends on if the source of the Dryness is eliminated. If the source of the issue is not resolved, weekly steaming may still be helpful for managing the symptoms but they will likely continue to return until the source of the issue is resolved.

STEAM THERAPIST RECOMMENDATION
It is helpful to work with a practitioner to find out the right steam setup, duration, and herbs. A Peristeam Facilitator can help with this. Usually, someone with excess heat would never steam longer than 10 min duration, would not steam with an electric burner, and would use the cooling herb formula (though they may need the hemostatic herb formula instead). In some cases, the duration might be longer.

Steaming three times in a row and then weekly is a great schedule. If not seeing results with this schedule it would be recommended to have a consultation with a Peristeam Hydrotherapist.

STEAM FACILITATOR (Peristeam Facilitator)
Important for getting the right steam setup, herbs, and duration.

STEAM THERAPIST (Peristeam Hydrotherapist)
If general steaming does not help, a consultation with a Steam Therapist is recommended.

DEDICATION TIME
For best results dedicate three full months to steaming and following all of the additional recommendations.