Liver (Gallbladder)
The liver opens to the eyes; individuals with poor liver and gallbladder health often experience dry, gritty, and dull eyes, with many even “rapidly blinking”. Its manifestation is in the nails; a healthy liver and gallbladder typically result in smooth, shiny, and strong nails. Conversely, poor liver and gallbladder health can lead to conditions like onychomycosis, brittle nails, or fungal infections. The liver governs the tendons (muscles and ligaments), and visible veins on the back of the hands indicate poor liver and gallbladder health. Emotionally, individuals may be prone to anger. Some people can become irritable quickly, slamming tables and glaring, often due to excessive liver heat. Those with liver issues tend to prefer sour foods, and their complexion may appear greenish and dull.
Heart (Small Intestine)
The tongue is the manifestation of the heart. How can we assess heart health through the tongue? A pale, white tongue indicates insufficient heart blood and poor circulation. If there is blood stasis, the tongue may appear dark purple. Tongue ulcers can signify excessive heart fire. Its manifestation is in the face; a healthy heart typically results in a complexion that is rosy and vibrant. A pale, dull complexion may indicate insufficient blood supply to the heart. A dark purple face suggests excessive heart fire and blood stasis. Emotionally, a person may be overly cheerful, often smiling even when alone, which can indicate poor heart health. They may prefer bitter foods like bitter melon, almonds, and grapefruit juice. A red (purple-red) complexion, especially in overweight individuals with a ruddy face, often indicates cardiovascular issues.
Spleen (Stomach)
The spleen opens to the mouth and lips, and its manifestation is in the muscles. Individuals with good spleen and stomach health have lips that are light red and glossy; poor health is indicated by pale, white, or sallow lips. Those with stomach issues often have bad breath, especially in cases of gastritis or ulcers. The spleen governs the limbs; a healthy spleen and stomach result in strong, toned muscles. Otherwise, the muscles may be weak and flabby. Emotionally, individuals may be prone to worry, often frowning as if burdened by stress. This is often due to spleen and stomach issues. Additionally, they may have a sweet tooth (preferring sweeter foods than average) and a sallow complexion, which may appear waxy and lacking in transparency.
Lungs
The lungs open to the nose. The nose is used for breathing, inhaling fresh air and expelling waste gases. Poor nasal health can disrupt normal circulation within the body, leading to lung diseases and respiratory issues, which may also trigger nasal inflammation. Its manifestation is in the skin and hair; poor lung health results in dry, rough skin and hair, with disordered hair growth and enlarged pores on the face. Emotionally, individuals may feel sorrowful and anxious, often crying without reason. Lin Daiyu from “Dream of the Red Chamber” is a classic example, known for her severe tuberculosis, with tears flowing from spring to autumn and then to winter. They may prefer spicy foods, and their complexion may appear pale, lacking color, resembling a blank sheet of paper.
Kidneys
According to TCM, the kidneys govern the bones and open to the ears, with their manifestation in the hair. Individuals with poor kidney health may experience tinnitus and gradual hearing loss. Elderly individuals often show symptoms of deafness, reflecting kidney deficiency. The kidneys nourish the bones; some individuals may feel unwell without any detectable issues upon examination, which can be attributed to kidney deficiency causing overall weakness and fatigue. Those with poor kidney health tend to prefer salty foods, may experience fear easily, and have a low tolerance for stress. A dark complexion (iron-black) is common among patients in kidney dialysis centers, indicating weak spleen and stomach function; a pale face suggests weak lung function; a red face indicates weak cardiovascular function; a green face suggests weak liver and immune function; and a dark face indicates weak kidney and bladder function.
Observing the Kidney Area
First, observe the kidney area, as the kidneys are the foundation of life. The area from the cheekbones back to the ears and down to the jaw is the kidney zone, which is the largest area. The issue of “national kidney supplementation” cannot be ignored, as environmental pollution has significantly burdened the kidneys. If there are moles or blemishes in this area, it indicates congenital kidney deficiency, which can lead to pain in the lower back, legs, and waist. Deep and large spots in this area may indicate kidney stones.
Darkness in the kidney area, or the presence of red blood vessels, acne, or spots, or deep crow’s feet at the corners of the eyes, or vertical wrinkles near the ears, are all signs of kidney deficiency.
If there are moles or blemishes in the kidney area and deep vertical lines on the forehead, along with a preference for salty foods, it indicates a higher risk of hypertension or potential cardiovascular diseases.
The kidneys govern the bones; focus on the areas of pain. The corners of the mouth represent the shoulders and elbows, while downward indicates the upper and lower limbs. The chin represents the areas of pain in the cervical, thoracic, lumbar, and sacral vertebrae. If there is a small dent or “lump” when closing the mouth with slight force, ask if they often experience lower back pain; the answer will likely be affirmative. Especially for women, they may experience pain and fatigue before and after their menstrual period.
Next, observe the male and female reproductive systems, with reflex areas around the philtrum and the lips.
If a man over 40 has a thicker upper lip or acne on the upper lip that recurs, and a particularly round and protruding chin, it indicates a family history of benign prostatic hyperplasia. If a woman has recurrent ulcers at the corners of her mouth, it may indicate ovarian inflammation or adnexitis.
Pale lips often indicate anemia or insufficient menstrual flow.
If a woman has vertical lines on her upper lip, it may indicate early menopause leading to uterine atrophy.
If there are moles or spots on the lips, or unclear lip lines, it is advisable to undergo a gynecological examination.
The reflex area for the bladder is located on both sides of the philtrum at the base of the nose. If this area is red, with red blood vessels, acne, or sores, it indicates cystitis, which may lead to symptoms like dark yellow urine, frequent urination, or urgency. Cystitis can also cause lower back pain. In women, cystitis may sometimes be due to gynecological issues.
If the root of the nose is red but there is no frequent or urgent urination, and the entire nasal bridge is red, it may indicate rhinitis.
Kidneys Open to the Ears
If there are deep vertical wrinkles around the ears, it indicates hearing loss; if there are moles, it suggests susceptibility to ear itching, tinnitus, or ear problems, and it is recommended to take “Gu Yuan” (Kidney Tonic).
If the earlobes are particularly rosy and translucent, with a pitted nose and red blood vessels in the kidney area, along with a red nose, puffy eyelids, and a red line in the middle of the tongue, it may indicate diabetes or a family history of diabetes.
Observing the Spleen and Stomach Area
After examining the kidney area, observe the spleen and stomach area, as the stomach is the mother of postnatal life. The tip of the nose represents the spleen, while the wings of the nose represent the stomach.
A red nose tip (rosacea) indicates poor spleen and stomach health. If the spleen is unhealthy, the stomach will certainly be affected; “nine out of ten people have stomach issues”. If the nose tip is red or swollen, or the pores are enlarged, it may indicate spleen heat or spleen enlargement, often accompanied by a heavy head, facial pain, and irritability.
If the nose tip is yellow or white, it indicates spleen deficiency, which may lead to excessive sweating, aversion to wind, lethargy, and lack of appetite. You may notice that many people have rough, dark skin on both sides of the nose, indicating poor stomach care, especially during youth.
If the wings of the nose are red, it indicates stomach fire, leading to hunger and bad breath. If there are red blood vessels and it is severe, it is generally gastritis.
If the wings of the nose are grayish-blue, it indicates stomach cold; when shaking hands, you can feel that person’s fingertips are cold, indicating they may suffer from abdominal pain and diarrhea due to wind-cold.
If the wings of the nose are sunken, it generally indicates a history of stomach pain, which may lead to atrophic gastritis, with a higher risk of stomach cancer.
Poor stomach health can also reflect in lower back pain, lethargy, and fatigue. If one parent has stomach issues, children under ten are often hyperactive, have difficulty concentrating in school, and prefer sweet foods.
Observing the Liver and Gallbladder Area
The triangular area at the back of the eyebrows (temples) and the middle of the nose bridge represents the liver (you may observe that many elderly individuals have liver spots in this area due to declining liver function). The sides of the nose bridge represent the gallbladder; the liver and gallbladder are interconnected, so if the liver is unhealthy, the gallbladder will also be affected.
Individuals with gallbladder issues often have spots or growths on the sides of the nose bridge, indicating liver and gallbladder problems.
If this area has red blood vessels, acne, or a bitter taste in the mouth upon waking, it indicates mild inflammation of the gallbladder; if there are spots, it may indicate cholecystitis.
If there are vertical wrinkles in this area, or if there are vertical lines when smiling, it indicates gallbladder issues.
If there are moles or blemishes in this area, it indicates congenital gallbladder deficiency. Dark circles under the eyes also indicate poor gallbladder health.
If both the liver and gallbladder areas are dark or have spots, or are uneven, it may indicate fatty liver.
If either of these areas has acne (bumps), it indicates excessive liver heat, emotional instability, or menopause.
If both areas have noticeable spots and the complexion is dull and unattractive, indicating a lean appearance, it suggests liver disease (hepatitis or cirrhosis).
Observing the Lung and Large Intestine Area
The area from the outer corners of the eyes down to the nostrils represents the large intestine system.
Why do women develop melasma?
One reason is hormonal imbalance,
and the second is that during pregnancy, pressure on the large intestine can lead to constipation, resulting in toxins being reabsorbed into the body. TCM believes that to maintain beauty, one must first detoxify.
If this area has red blood vessels, acne, spots, moles, or blemishes, it indicates dysfunction in the large intestine’s excretion, often leading to dry stools, constipation, or diarrhea.
If there are crescent-shaped spots in this area, it indicates constipation or hemorrhoids. The intersection of the lower nose line and the outer eye corner line is the rectal reflex area; if there are spots here, it indicates hemorrhoids.
If this area is red or has white spots, there may be a risk of rectal cancer. The inner side of the large intestine represents the small intestine, which is primarily responsible for absorption. If the spleen and stomach are unhealthy, the small intestine will naturally be affected. If this area has acne, spots, moles, or blemishes, it indicates poor absorption function of the small intestine, often leading to weakness. The small intestine area may have prominent red blood vessels, which may be caused by low blood pressure or a family history of abnormal blood pressure.
Looking further up, the area between the eyebrows is divided into two sections; the middle section represents the respiratory system (lungs). If this area has enlarged pores or is red, it indicates respiratory issues. Long-term smokers may develop spots and pigmentation.
If the middle of the forehead is sunken, with a dull color, or has spots, it indicates lung disease and difficulty breathing; if there are acne spots, it indicates recent colds or sore throats.
If there are moles, blemishes, or white spots on the area between the eyebrows, it indicates a higher risk of pharyngitis, tonsillitis, or chest tightness, and may also be hereditary. Individuals with poor lung function often have poor large intestine excretion.
Observing the Heart Area
The upper third of the forehead (hairline) represents the heart system.
If there are acne spots (bumps) or if this area differs in color from the rest of the face, it indicates significant psychological stress.
If there are spots, it indicates heart disease (such as cardiomyopathy); if there are moles or blemishes, it indicates congenital heart function deficiency.
The heart reflex area is located between the inner corners of the eyes on the nose bridge; if there are horizontal lines or prominent horizontal lines, it may indicate arrhythmia or poor heart condition.
If the horizontal lines are deep and there are also deep vertical lines on the tongue, it may indicate severe heart disease. Individuals with heart disease often have poor small intestine function, which can lead to vascular, brain, thyroid, and parathyroid diseases.
Wrinkles on the lower lip indicate coronary heart disease, while purple lips indicate heart disease.
The Brain Reflex Area is Between the Eyebrows
If there are vertical lines, especially deep ones, and this area is red, it indicates insufficient blood supply to the heart and brain, leading to headaches, neurasthenia, vivid dreams, poor sleep, palpitations, and irritability. Dark circles around the eyes indicate insufficient blood supply to the brain or poor sleep.
The chest (breast) reflex area is located between the inner corners of the eyes and the nose bridge.
If this area is dark or blue in men, it indicates chest tightness. If it is dark or blue in women, it indicates breast tenderness during menstruation.
If there are moles, blemishes, or acne-like protrusions on the inner eyelids, it indicates lobular hyperplasia in women or pleuritis in men.
If there are small lumps at the corners of the eyes in women, it indicates lobular hyperplasia or breast tumors.
TCM utilizes visual observation to purposefully assess the spirit, color, shape, and state of the entire body and its parts to diagnose diseases. This is one of the four diagnostic methods. In clinical practice, observation should be combined with auscultation, inquiry, and palpation to comprehensively and systematically understand the condition and make accurate judgments about diseases.
