Face
Appearance | Meaning |
Pale | Deficiency |
White | Cold and deficient, run down and emotionally cold, Yang deficiency |
Red face (whole of face) | Heat from Liver – anger and frustration, heat from Fire |
Red cheeks | Yin deficiency |
Oedema of face | Lu deficiency |
Yellow | Sp deficiency |
Black | Ki deficiency |
Purple | Stagnation |
Darkness | Cold |
Oval face | Fire |
Long rectangular face | Wood |
Pronounced cheek bones | Metal |
Eyes
The eyes reflect Shen (expression of spirit) and Jing (underlying vitality), and are ideally clear and shiny. The Liver Blood nourishes and moistens the eye producing vision. Heart Blood also rises to the eye, while the Shen manifests in the eye.
The following signs are noted in TCM:
Symptom | Indication |
Red corners | Heart Fire |
Red sclera Yellow sclera | Lung Heat |
Pale corners, under lid Dark, or swollen, under eye | Damp-Heat (wood or earth) |
Red corners | Blood Deficiency |
Red sclera Yellow sclera | Kidney pathology |
Ears
The ears are associated with the Kidneys, and traditionally, the lobes represent the Kidney Qi with long and full lobes representing a strong constitution, while small, thin lobes reveal a weak one!
The usual colours apply –
- white for cold
- blue/black for stagnation
- pain or Kidney exhaustion
- red for heat
Nose
The nose is associated with the Lung and the Stomach. Discharge from the nose indicates the thermal nature of an illness. The associations below apply to all mucous secretions.
Clear & watery - Cold
Thick & yellow - Heat
Lips & Mouth
The lips reflect the state of the Spleen and should be pale red, moist and shiny. The following signs may be observed on the lips.
Lips and Mouth
Symptom | Indication |
Red | Heat in St/Sp |
Red & dry | Yin deficiency |
Pale | Blood or Yang deficiency |
Greenish around mouth | Liver Invading Spleen pattern ie. stress affecting digestion |
Inside the mouth the gums may be observed
Gums
Symptom | Indication |
Very pale | Blood deficiency |
Swollen & bleeding | Stomach Heat |
Hair
The head hair is nourished by the Liver Blood and produced by the Kidney Jing. Hair loss is frequently a result of Liver Blood deficiency, as is dry and brittle hair. Early greying occurs when the Kidneys are weak. Dandruff is usually caused by Liver Blood deficiency (usually from intense stress or excessive mental activity).