Moisture is everything of a fluid nature that is neither Blood nor Essence. Both Moisture and Blood are derived from Essence, and Moisture is a component of Blood (as is Qi). Consequently, the concept of Moisture includes those liquid substances derived from Nutritive and Inherited Essence (Ying and Jing), such as body fluids (Jin Ye), and the secretions of the Five Yin Organs (Liver − tears, Heart − sweat, Spleen − saliva, Lung − mucus and Kidney − semen/spittle).There are various circumstances in which body fluids are diminished, for example, in the case of extreme Heat and Dryness or from the deficiency of Moisture and Blood for other reasons. To consolidate Moisture is to conserve and preserve body fluids by preventing their loss by astringing and toning the skin and mucus membranes.Consolidate Moisture astringes the Spleen to counter Dampness (excess accumulation of Moisture in the Stomach, Small Intestine and Large Intestine), the Lung to counter loss of Moisture (Jin Ye) from the skin and inner linings (Bao) and Kidney to counter the attrition of Essence. RATIONALE Astragalus root and Chinese yam rhizome firm up the surface (fortify the Defensive Qi) and strengthen the Spleen, Lung and Kidney. Wheat seed, Euryale seed and Oyster shell astringe the mucus membranes, support healthy perspiration, bowel function, urination and ejaculation. Schisandra fruit and Astragalus seed supplement the Yin and Qi of the Lung and Kidney, while enhancing their ability to grasp and conserve. All together, the herbs protect Moisture and Essence, firm up the surface and interior, and tone and strengthen the Spleen, Lung and Kidney.
