Dampness (Shi)

Associated with the Earth Phase, Dampness lingers, stagnates and obstructs. It is slow and draining.

Dampness gen-crates a heavy, stiff, aching, dull feeling. It clogs things up so that secretions are thick, sticky and copious — typical examples are yellow discharges from the eyes, cloudy urine, heavy vaginal discharges, and skin conditions with pus that oozes.

Dampness is hard to shift. A thick, greasy tongue coating indicates Dampness. Lumps and tumours are often considered as an accumulation of Dampness.

Dryness (Zao)
Associated with Autumn and the Metal Element, Dryness is dehydration, an absence of the fluids that lubricate and moisten internally and externally.

It is a drying out of the Yin that is so vital to life and can be seen in dry skin, mouth, lips, nails, and hair externally, as well as insufficient internal secretions, indicated by thirst, constipation, or scanty urine.