The Chinese state that the external pathogens are wind, cold, heat, damp and in any combination. The Tibetan view Wind (breath and movement), Bile (heat) and Phlegm (cold/damp) as functioning aspects of the body which can manifest distress when external and internal conditions get out of balance. In both systems we can describe the seasonal external conditions in our climate that can lead to distress as follows:

• Light / sharp or a fresh climate due to wind and rains (spring & fall)
• Hot / penetrating / humid (summer)
• Cold / oily or wet / heavy (winter)
  

When external climatic conditions are magnified by improper diet and behavior such as improper dress, this can lead to the rising of a specific humor to a state of imbalance thus causing distress in the body. When using external body therapies the focus would be “balance” the out of balance condition primarily by using elemental antidotes. Such as warming oils for cold and phlegm conditions, cooling for inflammation, etc.