Skin Health

Our skin is not only our protective barrier to the environment, but also a mirror to our internal health. In TCM, imbalances in our body often manifest themselves as skin disorders. Their root causes may involve the imbalances between Yin, Yang, Qi and the Blood, or pathogenic factors such as wind, dryness, dampness, cold or heat.

TCM treats skin disorders in a unique way. It addresses both the root causes and branch symptoms of a condition to restore healthy balance to the body.

The following are two of the most common skin conditions that can be better understood from the TCM perspective. As every individual has differing conditions and body constitutions, it is advisable that one always consults a licensed physician for a detailed diagnosis and corresponding treatment.

Acne

Acne is a commonly seen skin condition among adolescents. In TCM, however, acne is not discriminated by age but by patterns or by types of internal imbalance.

Acne is often associated with heat and damp heat lingering in the organs and meridians. The careful differentiation of heat is crucial so that the pattern of disharmony can be treated accordingly.

• Lung Heat manifests itself as acne around the forehead and near the nose. The tongue will turn red with a thin yellow coat. Often, the patient will experience chill due to sensitivity to wind and show aversion to heat.


• Damp Heat has the tendency of triggering chronic acne. The skin is usually oily and the acne is inflamed and pus-filled. The patient will experience constant thirst but with no desire to drink, and may have an aversion to heat. Generally, the tongue is red with a sticky coating.


• Stomach Heat indicates digestive and constipation problems. It often comes with symptoms such as acne breakouts on the chest, shoulders, back and around the mouth, as well as a red tongue with a thick yellowish coat. The patient may feel thirsty all the time. He or she may have big appetite and prefer greasy, spicy foods.


• Blood Heat carries symptoms like mild to moderate acne, a flushed red face and an extreme sensitivity to heat. The patient may develop a long-term acne problem. The tongue is usually red and may have a yellow or crimson colour coating. There may be the tendency to pass dry stools and darker urine.


• Toxic Heat shows symptoms similar to Blood heat, only that the acne is often more serious and pus-filled. The skin around the inflamed area is usually red. It is often accompanied by a red tongue with a sticky yellow coating. The patient may complain of lethargy.

Other external causes like environmental hazards, improper use of cosmetic products, lack of sleep, overwork, poor food choices, as well as emotional factors such as stress, anxiety and depression, could also contribute to the disharmonies within.

In TCM, acne is often treated using a combination of prescribed herbal medication along with acupuncture, depending on the severity of the problem. Generally, one is advised to consume more fruits and vegetables, drink more water and maintain a balanced and healthy diet to prevent acne. Drinking cooling Chinese herbal tea like Coix Barley (Yiyiren, 薏苡仁) and Chrysanthemum tea (Juhua, 菊花) is ideal, especially in hot weather.

Eczema

Eczema is a type of skin disorder that is characterised by inflammation, itchiness, redness, flaky and dry skin. In more severe cases, sores, scabs, blisters and bleeding may occur. It is also referred to as atopic dermatitis.

The onset of eczema and the severity of its symptoms differ from person to person. In most cases, eczema tends to attack any part of the skin suddenly with symptoms such as flush, swelling of the skin, cluster of red papulae, blisters and intense itching at the affected area.

When the condition has been stabilised, the affected part of the skin may have crust formation, pigmentation, scales, blisters and exudation. In chronic cases, these symptoms may subside and recur periodically. The appearance of the affected skin may become dry, thick and rough, accompanied with scales, and dark red or brown pigmentation. Itchiness will become intense when there is contact with heat or before going to bed.

In TCM, eczema is a complex condition that can have many different manifestations. It is an allergic reaction that is caused by both internal and external factors. Internally, the main causes of imbalances are dampness, heat and wind. Other factors like stress, depression, climate and diet could also contribute to the cause.

The TCM therapeutic principle works by clearing away the heat and dampness through bowels, urine and skin; by expelling wind and detoxifying the body, as well as moistening the dryness and nourishing the Blood.

A combination of acupuncture treatment, external applications and the intake of herbal medication can bring about relief.

Tips for a Healthy, Rosy Complexion

In TCM theory, the Heart, Lungs and Spleen have different roles to play to ensure skin health. Generally, when the three organs are working in harmony, the skin is nourished and glows with radiance.

When the Heart is healthy, we will have a rosy and lustrous complexion due to the smooth flow of Qi and Blood in the body. If there is a deficiency, the skin will present a dull complexion.

The Lungs control the circulation of Qi and Blood in our body to moisten our skin and body hair. If the Lungs’ function is impaired, our skin may become rough and dry.

The Spleen is the primary organ for digestion which supplies Qi and Blood to the Heart and the Lungs. If there is disharmony in the Spleen, our lips will be dry and pale. When the Spleen is healthy, the lips will be moist and rosy.

Eating foods and herbs that can nourish the Yin and Qi, as well as promote Blood production, can help improve skin health. Include the following in your diet to maintain a healthy, rosy complexion: Bird’s Nest (Yanwo, 燕窝), White Fungus (Baimuer, 白木耳), Chinese Wolfberries (Gouqizi, 枸杞子), Red Dates (Hongzao, 红枣), Astragalus Root (Huangqi, 黄芪), Lily Bulbs (Baihe, 百合), Poria (Fuling, 茯苓), Chinese Ginseng (Zhongguorenshen, 中国人参), Chinese Angelica (Danggui, 当归), Solomon’s Seal (Yuzhu, 玉竹), Coix Barley (Yiyiren, 薏苡仁), Lingzhi (灵芝), Black Sesame Seeds (Heizima, 黑芝麻), Licorice Root (Gancao, 甘草), Psoralea seeds (Buguzhi, 补骨脂) and Fleeceflower Root (Heshouwu, 何首乌).

In TCM, beauty and health are synonymous. When internal health is achieved, it will manifest visibly through your skin’s complexion.

Click here for recipes for skin health.

Hair Care

In TCM, the condition of our hair is a direct reflection of the condition of our Blood, Liver and Kidneys. Hair is thick, dark, healthy and glossy when there is an abundant flow of Kidney essence (Jing) and Liver Blood. If there is a deficiency, our hair may turn dull, lifeless and brittle. The deficiency may even lead to premature hair greying and thinning.

According to Huang Di Nei Jing (The Emperor's Inner Canon), hair greying and thinning should start only from the late 30s to 40s for both men and women, in the natural aging process. Premature hair greying and thinning may be attributed to factors such as deficiencies in the Kidneys, Liver, Blood, Spleen and Stomach, Liver-Qi depression, or heat and dampness stagnation.

Both the external application and internal consumption of Chinese medicine, as well as acupuncture treatment, can help to improve hair problems by dispelling the pathogenic factors (Blood heat, wind and dampness), and enhancing the functions of the Liver and Kidneys.

Tips for Healthy, Glossy Hair

In TCM, beautiful hair starts from the inside. Generally, the Liver regulates the quantity of Blood and the Kidneys store the essence (Jing) of life. These two organs are interrelated and both are responsible for major aging signs, which include hair greying or hair loss.

Foods and herbs that are thought to be best at restoring healthy hair are:

Healthy Aging

Aging is an overall degeneration process that involves almost every part of our body. There is no elixir of youth that can reverse the signs of aging, but TCM can aid in slowing it down or, at least, promote graceful aging.

Huang Di Nei Jing (The Emperor's Inner Canon) records that a woman starts to show initial signs of aging, such as sallowness in the face and hair loss, at the age of 35. At 42, she will develop further signs of aging, like sagging skin and greying hair.

In men, the signs of aging can be observed at the age of 40, when the Kidney functions start to decline and he starts to have hair loss and problems with loose teeth.

TCM views aging from a functional perspective. It is due mainly to the degeneration of body organs, exhaustion of basic substances like Qi, Jing, Body Fluids and mental state (Shen) in our body as well as the accumulation of metabolic wastes.

Tips to Slow Down Aging

Aging is inevitable for every one of us. However, with proper treatment, adequate nourishment and a positive lifestyle change, the external appearance of aging may be delayed.

• To keep the skin looking young, nourish the Heart, Spleen and Lungs. Herbs that help to maintain youthful skin are Lingzhi (灵芝), Ginseng (Renshen, 人参), Chinese Wolfberries (Gouqizi, 枸杞子), Red Dates (Hongzao, 红枣), Chinese Angelica (Danggui, 当归), Fleeceflower Root (Heshouwu, 何首乌), White Fungus (Baimuer, 白木耳), Lily Bulbs (Baihe, 百合), Bird’s Nest (Yanwo, 燕窝), etc.


• To prevent hair loss and greying, tonify the Kidneys and the Liver. Common herbs used to treat hair loss and greying include Glossy Privet Fruits (Nvzhenzi, 女贞子), Fleeceflower Root (Heshouwu, 何首乌), Black Sesame Seeds (Heizima, 黑芝麻), Chinese Angelica (Danggui, 当归), Cordyceps (Dongcongxiacao, 冬虫夏草), Lingzhi, Cnidium (Chuanxiong, 川芎), and Prepared Rehmannia Root (Shoudihuang, 熟地黄).


• To regulate the function of the organs and meridians, stimulate the flow of Qi via acupuncture, acupoint massage and moxibustion.


• To prevent signs of Spleen weakness associated with aging – such as weakness of the limbs, a sallow complexion, pale lips, puffy eyes and sagging skin – fortify the Spleen and promote Qi production. Common herbs that help invigorate the Spleen include Longan Fruit (Longyanrou, 龙眼肉), White Peony Root (Baishao, 白芍), Chinese Angelica, Codonopsis Root (Dangshen, 党参), and White Atractylodes (Baizhu, 白术).


• To prevent Liver and Kidney-related signs of aging like blurred vision, diminished hearing, hair greying, joint stiffness, menstrual problems, clumsy movements, fragile bones and an overall decrease in energy and vigour, you should invigorate the Kidneys and the Liver by consuming herbs such as Chinese Yam (Huaishan, 淮山), Chinese Wolfberries, Dodder Seeds (Tusizi, 菟丝子), Solomon’s Seal Rhizome (Yuzhu, 玉竹), Cordyceps, and Prepared Rehmannia Root.


• To maintain a healthy mental state, nourish the Heart, invigorate the Spleen and sooth the Liver. Herbs that nourish the Heart include Chinese Dates (Dazao, 大枣), Lily Bulbs, Poria (Fuling, 茯苓), and Longan Fruit. Herbs that invigorate the Spleen are listed above. Herbs that soothe the Liver include Hare’s Ear Root (Chaihu, 柴胡), White Peony Root, and Thinleaf Milkwort Root (Yuanzhi, 远志).