According to traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), the eyes and face tell us what we need to know about our body’s health. The eyes are a window into our soul, and the face is a map that decodes the body’s silent language. We all have that intuition, that fleeting feeling of split-second non-verbal exchanges as we pass by others: eyes revealing true thoughts and the body exhibiting classic body language. Traditional Chinese medicine teaches that the face is a mirror to our overall health of mind, body, and soul.
While this sounds mysterious and arcane, the basic premise behind this discipline is that our exterior bodily presentation is connected to our internal bodily functions.
For over 5,000 years, TCM has sought to answer two basic questions: what is a human being and what is the natural world? TCM suggests they are the same. The human body is comparable (and representative of) the greater natural world. In other words, the human body is a microcosm of the bigger universe. Our body is interconnected just as other elements of the natural world are interconnected, and all are subject to the law of Cause and Effect.
Everything is Connected
This is a key area in which TCM diverges from conventional western medicine. What affects one organ affects the other, what affects one system ultimately affects the whole of the body. TCM presents a variety of philosophies that explain the concept: Yin and Yang, the Meridian Channels, the Organ Systems, and the Five Elements. The overarching principle is that everything in the body is interconnected.
Nature demonstrates this concept throughout the world. TCM says that the body is connected through energetic channels known as meridians in which energy flows to and from organ systems in the body. In addition, vibrational and bio-electrical energy comprise the natural world, and our physical body exists due to an energetic life force that animates the body, ensuring movement, breathing, brain activity, emotions and more.
Furthermore, conventional science is beginning to add credibility to this ancient wisdom. TCM tells us that Qi energy is the piezoelectric current. It can be felt and experienced simply by flexing your muscles very intensely, then relaxing them. You will feel the energy circulating through your body. It is more than simple blood circulation; it is vital electrical energy that surges throughout the body. TCM teaches that this energy is responsible for brain function and emotions.
According to research conducted at Seoul National University, the meridians do exist. Scientists in South Korea call them the “primo-vascular system.” It has important roles in the cardiovascular system, metabolic system, and endocrine functions. Hence, we must embrace these concepts that we must pay attention to the interconnected nature of our bodies, and our faces are the central point for discovering imbalances.
Chinese Face Mapping
TCM teaches us the concept of Chinese Face Mapping, a basic concept which utilizes the interconnected circumstances of the body’s organs to properly balance our state of health. Our faces show us which parts of our body are in need of attention.
In simpler terms, Face Mapping runs on the construct that our outward appearance is a direct reflection of what is happening inside. If we consider the connectedness of our organs via meridian channels and that our bodies have self-regulating systems, the logic flows naturally that what affects one organ affects another.
Thus, it makes sense that the largest organ in our body, our skin, functions as a dynamic whiteboard of our internal systems. Disorders of the skin like acne, rashes, or change of skin color/tone can point to an internal imbalance that needs to be addressed in order to heal the skin and achieve optimal health.
Healing with Face Mapping
How can we in Western Society use this ancient wisdom to bring balance and healing in our everyday lives? Let’s take a look at each area of the face and their corresponding internal organ systems according to TCM. This article also reviews what negatively affects these areas, what each condition represents, and how to balance them.
Between the Eyebrows – Liver
The liver is involved in detoxification and digestion. TCM tells us that the liver is also involved in regulating emotions. If the body is overburdened with toxins, hard to digest processed foods, and negative emotions, it shows up in this area. Also, each organ system has a corresponding emotion, for the liver it is anger. This may explain why chronically angry and frustrated people are more likely to have a deep groove in their forehead between the eyes. The liver is connected most strongly to the skin; therefore, caring for your liver is caring for your skin. It is critically important to decrease your toxic intake. Leave behind modern toxic skin care products and use organic, natural products. Care for your liver with foods and herbs like turmeric, leafy greens, bitters and healthy amounts of clean protein. Practice relaxation techniques and mindfulness, let go of anger. Decrease your overall toxic load, meditate, take walks in nature, and do not take life too seriously.
Forehead Corners – Kidney/Bladder
The corners of the forehead, by the temples, represent the kidney and bladder system. Grooves, lines, and outbreaks of acne in this area indicates issues with the kidney organ system. Emotionally, chronic fear and intense stress damage the kidneys. In addition, medications, inflammation, chronic infections, sugar, and excessive behavior weaken these organs. Take proactive steps to support the kidney function by decreasing stress, consuming healthy amounts of fluids (spring water, raw coconut water, herbal tea), getting the appropriate amounts of rest, and using herbs like Lycium, parsley, Chanca Peidra, and He Shou Wu.
Forehead – Small Intestine/Nervous System
Our nervous system significantly impacts our intestinal tract. In fact, our central nervous system impacts our digestive function. Deep horizontal lines across the forehead can indicate an overactive nervous system and poor intestinal health. It may indicate a leaky gut, small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), or a bacterial imbalance. Physical activity, work, and stress are Yang, which is the sympathetic nervous system. Therefore, you want to ensure you balance these with Yin activities like meditation, relaxation, sleep, and play. Other causes of imbalances include poor food choices, particularly foods that feed pathogens like refined sugar, carbohydrates, and alcohol. Nourish this area by eating prebiotic and probiotic foods like raw cacao, colorful veggies, and sauerkraut. In addition, practice thoroughly chewing your food, eating when calm, using bone broth, glutamine, and collagen to heal the small intestine, and taking digestive enzymes and probiotics with your meals.
Eyebrows/Under Eye – Kidney/Adrenal
The kidney system is ruled by the water element; it manages all fluid within the body. It is also responsible for our stress response. When your body is out of balance in this area, it negatively impacts your kidneys. The physical manifestations include under-eye bags, dark circles, puffiness, or inflammatory issues around the eyebrow ridge. According to TCM, your eyebrows should be darker than the hair on your head; if not, it could indicate a weak kidney system. To improve these issues, drink enough quality water – sip it throughout the day and do not chug water as it dilutes the kidneys. Also, stay away from sugar and excess caffeine, along with refined salt as these weaken the kidneys. Eat mineral rich foods, get adequate sleep, and learn to regulate emotional stress responses.
Nose – Heart
Problems with your nose point to problems with your heart. The left side of your nose corresponds to the left side of your heart, and vice versa. According to TCM, the whole area tells us a lot about the condition of the heart. Blackheads mean heart congestion, redness indicates blood sugar/blood pressure issues from excess alcohol, sugar, and processed foods. Anger, grief, and stubbornness all damage the heart. Improve cholesterol levels by lowering sugar and refined carb intake and eat healthier cholesterol. You can lower inflammation with omega-3 fatty acid foods like anchovy, sardines, and cod liver oil. Great herbs for the heart include Reishi, Pearl and White Peony. You can help by being more emotionally open, forgiving, and understanding.
Mouth/Chin – Colon/Stomach
Problems around with or around your mouth may indicate a problem with the stomach and colon. For instance, ulcers in your mouth may point to toxic heat in the stomach or stomach ulcers. The colon is closely connected to the stomach as major organs in the digestive system, and the two impact each other. According to TCM, a common problem in the stomach is dampness, which is an interesting word to use. Dampness results from prolonged periods of excess heat, which TCM says is caused by excess raw or cold foods. In essence, digestion is enhanced when food in our stomach is the same temperature as our body temperature. Cold foods must be “warmed” in our stomach. This promotes higher levels of hydrochloric acid, which can burn the stomach. This leads to the TCM definition of dampness, mucus in the colon, yeast and fungal infections, and general poor digestive health. Eating too many raw foods or also too many sweet foods can cause problems in this area. If you have a dry mouth or lips, this might indicate a dryness issue in the body, which is the stage between excess heat and dampness. Eat mostly warm, lightly cooked foods, which promote healthy HCL production and manage both dryness and dampness. In addition, try demulcent fibers like chia, marshmallow, slippery elm, and aloe vera.
Cheeks – Stomach/Spleen
The stomach and spleen work in conjunction to extract Qi from food. They significantly impact overall digestion. Since they are close to the mouth, much of what applies to the mouth also applies to the cheeks. The key difference is that issues of excess heat show up primarily in this area. Redness in the cheeks indicate inflammation in the stomach. Many imbalances may occur in this area. Address these issues by drinking adequate fluids and regulating your emotions. The stomach system is the origin of fluids and requires an abundance of fluids, so do not underestimate the importance of good hydration!
Final Thoughts
Traditional Chinese Medicine teaches us that true health begins with treating our bodies as interconnected systems that impact each other. Imbalances manifest themselves through our faces and the skin on our faces. Good health comes from balancing physical, emotional, and mental health. Strive for a good heart, clear mind, and clean living. Walk away from the toxins in your life for optimum well-being.