External dryness syndrome

External dryness is one of the six exogenous pathogenic factors it appears in the autumn and directly injures the Lung. In the early autumn, dryness is often combined with heat and it consumes the body fluid and Yin of the Lung - this syndrome is referred to as warm-dryness. In the late autumn, dryness is mainly combined with cold and causes obstruction of spreading of the body fluid of the Lung - this syndrome is referred to as cold-dryness. 

Sweet and cold herbs with a sticky and cloying nature should not be used in the syndrome of external dryness as they may hold onto the pathogenic factors. 

Shi Gao is sweet, pungent and cold, and enters the Lung meridian. It can intensively reduce the heat and protect the fluid of the Lung. It can be used in syndromes caused by both external and internal dryness. However, it is only used in these syndromes when the heat is strong and the Qi fails to descend. In these conditions, patients suffer from obvious shortness of breath, have a red tongue and a forceful and rapid pulse. 

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