The nasal mucosa is not simple skin. It is the frontline defense system that primarily blocks external invaders such as viruses, bacteria, and fine dust. From the perspective of modern medicine, the 'lung fluid deficiency' mentioned in Donguibogam can be viewed as a state where the functions of the mucus layer and ciliary movement, which are essential for keeping the nasal mucosa moist and protected, have declined.
Our nasal mucosa continuously secretes viscous mucus composed of a protein called mucin, and numerous cilia above it move like waves to push foreign substances out. Beyond merely supplying moisture, this mucus layer contains antimicrobial substances like lysozyme and lactoferrin, along with antibodies like immunoglobulin A (IgA), playing a crucial immune role in neutralizing external pathogenic bacteria. The body fluids of Donguibogam are precisely the key substances that constitute and protect such mucosa, encompassing the entirety of energy that facilitates their function.
However, environmental factors such as indoor dryness, yellow dust, and fine dust, as well as internal factors like stress, chronic dehydration, fatigue, and autonomic nervous system imbalance, can damage this delicate nasal mucosal system. When the sympathetic nerve becomes excessively hyperactive, blood circulation in the mucosa is impaired and mucus secretion decreases, making it prone to drying out. Furthermore, cellular fluid deficiency reduces ciliary movement capacity, weakening the ability to clear foreign substances and making the mucosal cell itself vulnerable to damage. This ultimately triggers an inflammatory response and makes mucosal defenses even more fragile, potentially leading to a vicious cycle that worsens nasal infection or allergy symptoms.
Even taking certain medications, thyroid gland dysfunction, or an autoimmune disease like Sjögren syndrome can induce nasal dryness. Therefore, if nasal dryness cannot be resolved simply with a humidifier, a fundamental approach is needed to restore the immunity of the mucosa itself and improve systemic fluid metabolism. In other words, it is vital to supply sufficient moisture and nutrients to each cell forming the mucosa, and to restore autonomic nervous system balance to help mucus secretion and ciliary movement function normally. This is because everything in our body is connected.
