It’s yet another drought year here in California, and as we all wait for the rains to come, we can see and feel the dryness everywhere. Autumn is the season of dryness- that’s easy to see, in the parched earth, the withered vegetation. And we feel it too- our bodies’ are two thirds water. We might be experiencing dry skin, dry hair, dry lips, dry throat, dry dry dry…..
We all think hydration is simple, right? Just drink plenty of water. But staying well hydrated also means our bodies need to actually ABSORB all the water we’re drinking. Imagine a dry, cracked piece of earth in the desert. When it rains, that earth is so parched and hard that it cannot absorb any water. It all runs off the surface.
Our bodies are the same. If we don’t “prepare our soil” properly, all the water we drink just runs right through, and our tissues are still parched and dry. In Taoist herbalism we use yin tonics- herbs that are moistening and demulcent, in order to help moisten the body on a deep level and help it to “hold” the water. On a cellular level, yin tonics increase the capacity of our cells to properly absorb water, and are a key component of true hydration.
They don’t need to be taken in large doses for this effect- most everyone can benefit from the extra moistening properties these herbs provide while we wait for the rains to come. Some yin tonics which are excellent hydrators are Marshmallow Root, Chinese Lilly Bulb (Bai He), False Solomons Seal (Polygonatum), Asparagus Root, and Ophiopogon. To get the best moistening effect, combine a yin tonic with just a small amount of a “stabilizing” herb. Stabilizing herbs are sour in flavor and when combined with yin tonics, further assist in holding fluids in the body and the tissues. Some examples of sour, stabilizing herbs are Schisandra berry (Wu Wei Zi), Hibiscus flowers, and Raspberry.
Of course, your local herbalist can best advise you on how to put together a hydration support formula. This article provides a few ideas to get you started. Drink deep, stay cool, and be well!
Copyright 2021 by Athene Eisenhardt. The statements in this article are not intended to diagnose, treat or cure any illness.