How Does Traditional Chinese Medicine Achieve Beauty and Skincare by Harmonizing the Five Internal Organs?
The liver stores blood and regulates qi, adjusting blood flow and qi movement throughout the body to maintain a balanced flow of qi and blood, ensuring adequate blood circulation to the face, resulting in a radiant and rosy complexion. If the liver fails to regulate qi properly, qi movement becomes imbalanced, blood circulation is obstructed, and blood stagnates in the face, leading to a pale or yellowish-brown complexion. Insufficient liver blood nourishment causes the facial skin to lose its vitality, appearing dull and lifeless, with dry eyes and blurred vision. Traditional Chinese medicine recommends consuming "Silver Ear, Goji Berry, and Chrysanthemum Porridge" for those with liver imbalances. Preparation: 10g of Silver Ear and Chrysanthemum, 60g of glutinous rice. Cook them together with an appropriate amount of water until the porridge is cooked, then add honey to taste. Regular consumption nourishes the liver, replenishes blood, improves vision, moisturizes the skin, and reduces pigmentation.
The kidneys store essence. When kidney essence is abundant and kidney qi is vigorous, the functions of the five zang organs operate normally, qi and blood are vigorous, and the complexion remains youthful. When kidney qi declines, the complexion darkens, temples turn gray, teeth loosen and fall out, wrinkles appear, and premature aging occurs. To address complexion damage due to kidney dysfunction, consume "Sesame and Walnut Porridge". Preparation: 30g of sesame seeds, 30g of walnut kernels, and glutinous rice cooked together with an appropriate amount of water. Serve as breakfast. It aids hair growth and development and makes the skin white and plump.
The heart governs blood vessels, and its vitality manifests on the face. Heart qi promotes blood circulation, transporting nutrients throughout the body. The face, being rich in blood vessels, reflects the strength of heart function through its color. A vigorous heart qi and abundant heart blood result in a radiant and rosy complexion. If heart qi is insufficient and heart blood is scant, facial blood supply is inadequate, and the skin lacks nourishment, leading to a pale or sallow complexion. For those with heart qi deficiency and heart blood insufficiency, consume "Longan and Lotus Seed Porridge". Preparation: 30g of longan and lotus seed meat, 100g of glutinous rice, cooked with water over high heat until boiling, then reduced to low heat and simmered until the grains are tender. Regular consumption nourishes the heart and replenishes blood, moisturizing the skin and enhancing complexion.
The lungs govern the skin and hair. The qi of the lungs should disperse and descend smoothly. Through the dispersion and descent of lung qi, qi, blood, and body fluids are distributed throughout the body. Prolonged lung dysfunction leads to dry skin and a haggard, pale complexion. Those with lung dysfunction should nourish lung qi and lung yin by consuming "Lily Porridge". Preparation: 40g of lilies, 100g of japonica rice, and an appropriate amount of rock sugar. Cook the lilies and japonica rice with water until the porridge is nearly done, then add rock sugar and cook for a short while longer. Serve as breakfast. It helps restore the complexion's vitality, especially for those with a haggard appearance after fever, long-term neurasthenia, insomnia and dreaminess, and menopausal women with a dull complexion.
The spleen is the foundation of acquired constitution and the source of qi and blood production. Healthy spleen and stomach functions result in vigorous qi and blood, manifesting as a rosy complexion and elastic skin. Conversely, spleen dysfunction leads to insufficient qi, blood, and body fluids, unable to nourish the face, resulting in a lethargic demeanor, pale complexion, and sallow appearance. Those with spleen dysfunction should consume "Red Date and Poria Cocos Porridge". Preparation: 20 red dates, 30g of Poria Cocos, and 100g of japonica rice. Wash and pit the red dates, crush the Poria Cocos, and cook them with japonica rice into a porridge. Serve as breakfast. It moisturizes the skin, increases skin elasticity and gloss, and enhances complexion.
