冬季干燥：从中医角度看冬季养生

吴宇琛

SUM WU

Sum Wu

Registered Chinese Medicine Practitioner

Bachelor of Health Science in Traditional Chinese Medicine (UTS)

Bachelor of Science Majoring in Psychology (UOW)

Director of Hurstville Chinese Herbs Centre

Vice Dean of College of Traditional Chinese Medicine Orthopedics Australia

Specialising in pain management and mental wellbeing through Tradition Chinese medicine in combination with modern science in mental health, dieting and nutrition.

吴宇琛，澳大利亚政府注册中医师、针灸师，五龙岗大学心理学学士、悉尼科技大学中医系学士，澳大利亚松轩中医药中心主任医师，澳大利亚中医骨伤专科学院副院长。

擅长用传统针灸理伤手法和中药治疗各种新旧损伤痛症，特别采用中医中药和现代心理学、营养学相结合调理治疗各种慢性病和亚健康。

Winter Dryness in Australia: A Traditional Chinese Medicine Perspective

冬季干燥：从中医角度看冬季养生

As winter settles across Australia, many people begin to notice familiar symptoms returning: dry skin, cracked lips, itchy eyes, dry throats, persistent coughs, and increased sensitivity to colds and flu. While these issues are often attributed simply to colder weather, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) offers a broader perspective. According to TCM theory, winter in Australia can be a particularly challenging season because it combines two factors that can affect health: Cold and Dryness.

随着冬季来临澳洲，许多人都开始出现熟悉的不适症状：皮肤干燥、嘴唇龟裂、眼睛干涩、喉咙干痛、久咳不愈，以及更容易感冒或感染流感。虽然这些问题常被认为只是天气变冷所致，但中医对此有更全面的理解。根据中医理论，澳洲的冬天往往同时具有两种容易影响人体健康的气候特点：寒与燥。

Many people are surprised to learn that Australia is relatively dry compared with many parts of the world. During winter, lower humidity, cold winds, indoor heating, and prolonged exposure to air-conditioned environments can further reduce moisture in the air. Over time, these conditions may gradually deplete the body’s Yin and Body Fluids, leading to symptoms of dryness that affect multiple systems of the body.

许多人都可能不知道，相较于世界许多地区，澳洲本身便是一个相对干燥的国家。到了冬季，空气湿度进一步下降，加上寒风、室内暖气以及长时间处于空调环境中，都会使空气中的水分减少。久而久之，这些因素可能逐渐耗伤人体的阴液与津液，导致各种干燥症状出现，并影响身体多个系统的正常运作。

In TCM, Dryness is recognised as one of the six external pathogenic factors. Unlike Dampness, which creates heaviness and congestion, Dryness consumes moisture and nourishment. The organ most vulnerable to Dryness is the Lung. Chinese medicine describes the Lung as a delicate organ because it is directly exposed to the external environment through breathing.

在中医理论中，燥邪被列为六淫邪气之一。与会造成沉重感和阻滞感的“湿邪”不同，燥邪的特性是消耗人体水分与滋养物质。最容易受到燥邪影响的脏腑是肺。中医认为肺为娇脏，因为它直接通过呼吸与外界环境接触，因此特别容易受到外邪侵袭。

When Winter Dryness affects the Lung, common symptoms may include:

Dry throat
Dry cough
Dry nose
Frequent throat clearing
Hoarse voice
Dry skin
Increased susceptibility to respiratory infections

当冬天燥邪侵犯肺部时，常见症状包括：

喉咙干燥
干咳少痰
鼻腔干燥
经常清喉咙
声音沙哑
皮肤干燥
容易出现呼吸道感染

Many Australians notice that they wake up with a dry mouth or irritated throat despite drinking enough water. Others experience worsening eczema, sinus irritation, or recurring winter coughs that seem to linger long after a cold has resolved.

许多人会发现，即使每天饮用足够的水，早晨醒来仍感到口干舌燥或喉咙不适。有些人则会出现湿疹恶化、鼻窦刺激，或冬天感冒后咳嗽迟迟无法痊愈等问题。

Winter can also place additional demands on the body’s Yang energy. In TCM, winter is associated with the Kidney system and represents a time of conservation, restoration, and nourishment. Traditionally, people were encouraged to slow down, rest more, and preserve their energy during the colder months. Modern lifestyles, however, often work against these natural rhythms.

冬天同时也会对人体的阳气带来额外负担。在中医理论中，冬天与肾系统相对应，是人体收藏、修复与滋养的季节。古人认为冬天应顺应自然规律，适当减少消耗、多休息、保存精气。然而现代人的生活方式往往与这种节律背道而驰。

Many Australians continue to work long hours, stay up late, spend extended periods in front of screens, and move between heated indoor environments and cold outdoor temperatures. From a TCM perspective, these habits can gradually consume both Yin and Yang, leaving the body less resilient during winter.

许多人即使到了冬天，仍然长时间工作、熬夜、久坐使用电子产品，并频繁往返于暖气室内与寒冷户外之间。从中医角度来看，这些习惯可能逐渐耗损人体的阴阳之气，使身体在冬天变得较为脆弱，抵抗力下降。

One common misconception is that dryness simply means a lack of water intake. While staying hydrated is important, TCM views fluid balance as more complex. The Spleen is responsible for transforming fluids from food and drink, while the Lung distributes these fluids throughout the body. If either system becomes weakened, a person may experience symptoms of dryness even when drinking adequate amounts of water.

一个常见的误解是认为“干燥”只是喝水不足所造成。虽然保持充足水分摄取十分重要，但中医对津液代谢的理解更加复杂。脾负责将饮食中的水分转化吸收，而肺则负责将津液输布至全身。如果脾或肺功能失调，即使饮水量足够，人体仍可能出现各种干燥症状。

Stress can also contribute to winter dryness. Emotional tension and chronic stress are believed to generate internal Heat, which can gradually consume Yin and Body Fluids. This may explain why many people experiencing burnout also report symptoms such as dry eyes, poor sleep, night waking, irritability, and fatigue.

压力也是导致冬天干燥的重要因素之一。中医认为，长期情绪紧张和精神压力容易产生内热，而内热会逐渐消耗人体阴液与津液。这或许能解释为何许多处于工作倦怠（Burnout）状态的人，经常同时出现眼睛干涩、睡眠品质差、夜间易醒、烦躁不安及疲劳等问题。

Winter is also a season when respiratory illnesses become more common. From a TCM perspective, Dryness can weaken the Lung’s protective functions, making the body more vulnerable to external pathogens. This may be one reason why some individuals experience repeated colds, lingering coughs, or worsening allergies during the cooler months.

冬天亦是呼吸道疾病较为常见的季节。中医认为燥邪会削弱肺的防御功能，使人体更容易受到外邪侵袭。因此，有些人在冬天会反复感冒、咳嗽迁延不愈，或过敏症状加重。

Fortunately, winter is also considered an ideal time to nourish the body. TCM traditionally recommends eating warm, cooked foods during winter to support digestion and preserve internal warmth. For those experiencing signs of dryness, foods that gently nourish Yin and Body Fluids may be beneficial. Examples include pears, white fungus, sesame seeds, Chinese yam, lily bulb, and slow-cooked soups. Warm herbal teas and broths are often preferred over iced drinks during this season.

幸运的是，冬天同时也是调养身体的理想时节。中医传统认为，冬天应多食用温热、熟食，以帮助脾胃运化功能，并维持体内阳气和温煦之力。对于出现干燥症状的人群，适当摄取具有滋阴润燥、生津养液作用的食物，往往有助于缓解不适。常见的食材包括雪梨、银耳、芝麻、山药、百合以及经过长时间慢火熬煮的汤品。此外，在冬天饮用温热的花草茶或汤水，通常比冰冷饮品更有助于身体的调养和保健。

Adequate sleep is particularly important in winter. TCM views winter as a period of restoration, and maintaining regular sleep patterns may help support both Yin and Kidney energy. Managing stress, exercising moderately, and protecting the body from excessive exposure to cold winds can also contribute to overall wellbeing.

充足睡眠在冬天尤其重要。中医认为冬天是人体修复与储藏能量的重要时期，保持规律作息有助于滋养阴液与肾气。同时，适度运动、管理压力，以及避免长时间暴露于寒风之中，也有助于维持整体健康。

As Australia moves through the winter months, it is worth paying attention not only to keeping warm but also to maintaining moisture and nourishment within the body. While Western medicine may address dry skin, throat irritation, or respiratory symptoms individually, TCM looks for the underlying patterns connecting these complaints. By understanding the effects of Winter Dryness and adapting our habits accordingly, we can better support our health throughout the colder season and enter spring feeling stronger and more balanced.

当澳大利亚进入冬天时，我们不仅要注意保暖，更应关注身体是否获得足够的滋润与养分。西医可能分别处理皮肤干燥、喉咙不适或呼吸道症状，而中医则更重视这些症状背后是否存在共同的失衡模式。通过了解冬天燥邪对人体的影响，并适当调整生活习惯与饮食方式，我们便能更好地维护健康，在寒冷季节中保持活力，并以更平衡、更强健的状态迎接春天的到来。

如有疑问想咨询吴宇琛中医师，可以在微信或whatsapp搜索61 404836368，加吴宇琛中医师微信或whatsapp，也可以发短信或致电0404836368作语音留言，吴宇琛中医师有空就会回复。