katherinecroftonOur bodies are connected with all sorts of different pathways that help our bodies function. Organs work together to make sure we stay healthy, happy, and that certain processes are working.
Thus, it would make sense that if one part of the body is hurting, this problem may show up someplace else. This is the theory behind Chinese Face Mapping. The skin is the biggest organ in or on our bodies. If something is affecting the skin, it might mean something internal is going on. Afflictions to look for include, pimples, rashes, or change of skin color/tone. Any of this could signify an internal issue that needs to be worked on for the skin and the body to be at optimal health.
The following areas of the face may indicate an internal problem. Take a look at the Chinese Face Map below.
Forehead – Bladder and/or Small Intestine
Poor food choices, stress, excessive alcohol consumption, and reduced sleep may cause breakouts on the forehead. One should focus on consuming raw food, chewing more thoroughly, taking probiotics, eating digestive enzymes with meals, drinking plenty of water, removing alcohol, and getting enough sleep. Yoga may also be useful to reduce stress.
Between the Eyebrows – Liver
The liver is working too hard to remove toxins from what is being eaten, or the pollution one is exposed to. It may be possible that one is eating too much meat or dairy (foods high on the food chain), or food one is sensitive to (allergic to). Eat less or no meat and dairy. Select healthy foods including lots of organic fruits and vegetables. Get plenty of fresh air, meditate, take fast walks, and practice yoga.
Eyebrow Arch – Kidneys
Dehydration affects the kidneys. There are some things that cause dehydration: smoking, alcohol, poor quality salt consumption and a lack of water intake. Drink plenty of water, stay away from sweetened and caffeinated beverages, and alcohol. Also, please make the salt switch: switch from table salt to sea salt.
Nose – Heart
Indoor and outdoor air pollution, bad circulation, and high blood pressure can all play havoc with this area of the face. Try exercising, removing toxins with green tea and chlorella, maintaining healthy cholesterol levels, and keep blood pressure in check with cayenne, garlic, and reishi mushroom.
Upper Cheeks – Lungs
Pollution, smoking, and asthma will damage this part of the skin. Get plenty of exercise, stay away from pollution, and stop smoking. Be sure to drink green vegetable juices (cucumber, celery, and lemon plus whatever dark green leafy vegetable you choose). Green leaves are the lungs of the plant and the planet, so it stands to reason that they are great for our lungs too. The two wonderful superherbs used to protect and nourish the lungs in Chinese medicine are Astragalus and Cordyceps.
Cheeks – Lungs and Kidneys
Smoking, poor food choices, and high stress may affect this area of the face. Make healthier food choices and exercise. When the kidneys are involved, this indicates a deeper level of aging and stress. Nourish the kidneys (and lungs) with proper hydration: sea salt and pure water. Also, cucumber and other members of the melon family are kidney friendly. Add in some of the great Jing Chinese superherbs that help build up primordial strength. These anti-aging, kidney nourishing superherbs include: ho shou wu (fo-ti) with its brilliant flavor and Rehmannia with its kidney nourishing power.
Mouth and Chin – Stomach
Eating too much fat and sweet food can cause problems in this area. This is also true of caffeine and alcohol consumption. Try to maintain a balanced diet and eat plenty of fruits and demulcent fiber (chia, marshmallow, slippery elm, aloe vera) to improve stomach health.
Jaw and Neck – Hormones
Consistently eating the wrong foods, being under artificial lights, always being disconnected from a skin-to-skin connection with the Earth, as well as eating hormone-injected meat and dairy along with not drinking enough water can disturb healthy hormone levels and balance. Get grounded (connect to the Earth with walks on the sand). Sungaze during the last 4 minutes of each day barefoot on stone or sand. Eat less food and more of the correct saturated fats (especially organic ghee to provide more good cholesterol production that is the precursor of our most important hormones). Avoid hormone contaminated meat and dairy products as well as chicken. Avoid artificial lighting as much as possible.