Dryness is the relationship between the body and Water that keeps the tissues moisturized. The body must be able to absorb, store and circulate Moisture in order to adequately hydrate the cells. If any of the functions breaks down, symptoms of dehydration will appear.
Dryness is also one of the six pernicious influences on the health of the body within the Chinese medical framework. It is related to (but less important than) Heat and can be distinguished from it by by dehydration rather than redness and hotness. As an external influence, it is characterized by dry lips, nostrils, dry tongue, cracked skin and dry stools.