it's written all over your face

Grandma was right when she said, “I can tell, it’s written all over your face.” According to the ancient healing arts, our faces reveal much about what’s going on inside our bodies and minds. 

Long before allopathic medicine, our ancestors were being cared for in surprisingly specific ways based on technologies we now call “alternative,” such as Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Ayurveda.  
 
An extensive range of practices dating back 2,000 years, TCM includes herbs, acupuncture, massage, qigong and dietary therapy to effect the body’s energy. 
 
Our life force, qi, travels along meridians in the body, branching off into each organ – like superhighways of information – determining how our bodies function.  
 
Blockages in these pathways can lead to illness by preventing qi from getting to its destination, or altering messages – like the telephone game in grade school where the statement at start is nothing like the sentence at the end.  
 
Dating back more than 5,000 years, Ayurvedic medicine is based on the Vedic texts of northern India that stress wellness as the balance of body, mind and spirit.  
 
This ancient art focuses on three types of energies, or doshas, believed to circulate through the body and govern physiological activity: Vata, Pitta and Kapha. When doshas are in-balance, we experience health. When out of balance, illness results.  
 
Diet based on doshas, exercise (yoga), herbs, meditation and other tools help to keep one in, or restore, balance.  
 
Despite their differences, what’s clear throughout both traditions is that the body’s systems – lymphatic, circulatory, digestive, neurological, etc. – are linked and the physical body is constantly providing us feedback through how we look and feel.  
 
Today, such knowledge is becoming mainstream through Face Mapping. Here, the nuanced characteristics of our eyes and face are used to determine where our bodies are imbalanced.  
 
Whether done by an MD, traditional practitioner or a specialized esthetician, Face Mapping tells what is happening inside the body by looking at where we experience breakouts, rashes, dry/oily patches, redness, etc., and offers approaches to address these imbalances: 
 

• Forehead TCM and Ayurveda link these breakouts to digestive issues – difficulty breaking down specific foods (gallbladder), toxic-overload (liver) and stress (nervous system). Even sleep issues. Adding digestive enzymes like papaya and bromelian, ensuring 7-9 hours of sleep nightly and detoxifying the liver with dandelion tea or extra onions and garlic all help. Reducing dietary fats, processed foods and stress, through yoga and meditation, balance the Vata dosha. 

• Between the Eyebrows Too much alcohol or fatty food shows-up here. Linked to the spleen and pancreas, Ayurveda questions what deeply held anxiety is causing that wrinkle between the brows! Lines on the right side can indicate repressed emotions such as anger (liver) and those on the left, emotions bottled-up in the spleen. Watching diet, reducing stress and dealing with the darker emotions is key. 
• Eyes A yellow tinge to the eye indicates liver issues (jaundice). Small irises, per Ayurveda, can reveal joint issues while enhanced whiteness of the iris can indicate possible joint degeneration. A light ring around the iris is a sign to reduce salt and sugar intake, while a spotty iris showcases poor intestinal absorption. Again, diet is key. 
• Below the Eyes Swollen/puffy lower lids and dark circles indicate kidney issues and dehydration. Time to stoke the digestive fire (increase Pitta) by adding some spices to meals and chewing food 30 times per bite.  
• Cheeks Discoloration or patchiness can result from low nutrient absorption (iron or folic acid), or from reduced metabolism. Linked to the lungs, indoor and outdoor pollution and allergies can lead to cheek breakouts. Cooling Pitta through whole fresh foods (raw and cooked) that are hearty, dry and high in whole grain carbohydrates will reduce internal heat, prevent inflammation and absorb excess oil. Don’t forget the basics of hygiene – holding a cell phone to the face, especially if not regularly cleaned, can contribute to breakouts. 
• Nose Broken capillaries and/or redness are linked to high blood pressure. To offset this area’s fiery Pitta energy, boost essential fatty acids (flax, olive oil and avocado), avoid spicy foods, alcohol and coffee which tend to feed the flames. 
• Tongue The tongue tells many tales, be sure to look at it each morning! Outer edges looking uneven or ridged? A possible sign of not absorbing key nutrients – reduce processed foods and make sure to not overdo vitamins. Circular white deposits on the back of the tongue point to colon or intestinal toxic load. Try a gentle dietary cleanse focusing on whole foods. Abrasions or frothiness along the tongue’s edge relate to the lungs, engage in regular meditation and aerobic exercise.  
• Lower Lip Related to intestinal functioning, browns spots along the lower lip may be an indication of poor enzyme function, indigestion, parasitic infection or even intestinal worms. Pale lips can be an indicator of anemia – increase iron-rich foods, including leafy greens, red meat, beans, dried apricots and raisins. Blue-tinged lips are most often a sign of reduced oxygen levels and frequently related to heart conditions, especially if experiencing shortness of breath. Kidney issues may lead to discolorations on the lip’s edge while intestinal issues can manifest as discoloration of the lower lip. Please see a medical professional for these concerns. 
• Chin Tied to the reproductive system, hormonal changes related to the menstrual cycle often manifest here. Incorporate natural hormone balancing foods into the diet, including coconut oil, broccoli, almonds, avocados, eggs and salmon. Reduce caffeine and increase sleep to 7-9 hours. Dominated by the Kapha dosha, stress reduction through meditation and yoga/exercise are key to reducing these breakouts.  

 
Finally, oils and germs are transferred each time we touch our faces so being mindful can go a long way in reducing breakouts. 
 
While keeping our skin clean externally can clearly have an impact on its texture and appearance, grandma would agree that using non-toxic products and feeding our bodies, minds and spirits nourishing food (including positive thoughts) is the best way to face the world each day.  
 
Originally written for Fit Nation Magazine.

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