Evaluating Spleen and Stomach Health by Examining Facial Features

The health of the spleen and stomach can be assessed by examining a person's facial features. In this context, "facial features" refer to the condition of one's face. If the skin appears unusually yellow or has unhealthy dark spots, this could signal potential health issues. Let's delve into this topic together.

Typically, individuals with poor spleen and stomach health have a dull complexion. Their skin might look dark, or their overall health might seem poor. This is because those with spleen and stomach deficiencies often have inadequate qi and blood supply.

Yellow complexion, dark areas around the mouth, and a dull nose tip indicate spleen deficiency

Yellow skin is a common characteristic among Chinese people. However, there are distinctions between normal yellows and pathological yellows. A normal yellow should appear bright, moist, and subtle, with a touch of red mixed in. Excessive, weak, or uniformly yellow skin or skin that appears with dark or bluish tones can indicate a pathological issue.

According to traditional Chinese medicine, the appearance of pathological yellow should first lead to consideration of spleen and stomach issues. These organs are responsible for processing and transporting food and water, absorbing the essence of what we consume, and converting it into qi and blood. As such, they are crucial for producing qi and blood. When the spleen is impaired, this process is disrupted, leading to insufficient nourishment of the organs and resulting in a pale or yellow complexion.

Signs of spleen and stomach issues are often summarized in these terms: poor appetite, abdominal bloating, diarrhea, and loose stools. Poor appetite results in a lack of desire to eat, and even when eating, satisfaction is not achieved—this is a clear indication of reduced spleen and stomach function. Abdominal bloating can occur regardless of food intake, and eating just a little can cause significant discomfort. Diarrhea is characterized by loose stools; when water and stool can be distinguished, it is diarrhea, while if they are mixed, it’s termed loose stools. Recognizing these symptoms should prompt you to consider potential spleen and stomach issues and consult a healthcare professional promptly.

Observing the nose tip

The tip of the nose is subtly indented and surrounded by an area that strongly reflects the spleen's physiological functions and pathological changes. Even if the face appears bluish or dark without luster, a bright and moist nose tip suggests that the spleen and stomach's transformative functions are intact, allowing for eating and medicine intake—indicating hope for recovery, as vitality is linked to stomach qi.

Additionally, if yellow replaces other pathological facial colors, such as a transition from black to yellow where it becomes bright and moist, this suggests that the spleen and stomach are healing and improving. This requires continued care. Typically, our spleen and stomach function well with a diet that is light yet nutritious, consisting of easily digestible foods, while avoiding overeating, sudden temperature changes, and dietary imbalances, along with attention to emotional well-being—these are all crucial for maintaining spleen and stomach health.

Five symptoms of poor spleen and stomach health

1. Dark circles

The stomach meridian, rich in qi and blood, begins below the eyes, making this area prone to impurity accumulation. Therefore, people who stay up late often develop dark circles, which reflect stagnation of qi and blood.

Traditional Chinese medicine adjustment: Relieve stress, ensure adequate sleep, and avoid late nights; limit exposure to stimulating media, adjust diet to include smaller, more frequent meals with easily digestible proteins like eggs and fish, and reduce spicy and stimulating foods.

2. Dull lips

Healthy spleen and stomach function results in rosy, glossy lips and good skin elasticity. Deficiencies often lead to pale, dull, or sallow lips that may frequently peel.

Traditional Chinese medicine adjustment: For those with spleen deficiency, consider having lunch earlier, around 11 AM, when the spleen is most active for digestion and nutrient absorption. The weakest time for the spleen is between 7 PM and 11 PM; eating a piece of fruit an hour after dinner can help strengthen the spleen.

3. Diarrhea from stomach heat and constipation from deficiency cold

Stomach heat slows food residue movement, leading to moisture loss and dry stools. Conversely, loose stools often result from spleen and stomach deficiency cold.

Traditional Chinese medicine adjustment: For constipation, try abdominal massages by placing one hand on the lower left abdomen with the other on top, applying gentle pressure to encourage intestinal movement. For diarrhea, warming the Zhongwan point (4 inches above the navel), Zusanli point (at the knee), and Guanyuan point (3 inches below the navel) helps, along with daily ginger and red date tea to improve symptoms.

4. Redness around the nostrils from spleen and stomach heat

Red nostrils often indicate heat in the spleen and stomach.

Traditional Chinese medicine adjustment: For heat in the spleen and stomach, massage the Zusanli point for 5 minutes, 2-3 times daily, and combine with Neiting point massage (between the second and third toes) for better results.

5. Muscle relaxation

Relaxed muscles lacking elasticity or excess fat compared to muscle often result from spleen and stomach weakness.

Traditional Chinese medicine adjustment: Individuals with spleen and stomach weakness should regularly exercise their toes and massage their calves.

How to care for poor spleen and stomach health

As the saying goes: "Three parts treatment, seven parts nourishment." Caring for the spleen and stomach is a long-term and gradual process. In daily life, focus on dietary adjustments and physical exercise, and adhere to the following guidelines:

First, maintain a regular diet

Dietary regulation is key to maintaining spleen and stomach health. Meals should be consistent in timing and quantity, avoiding overeating. Emphasize a primarily vegetarian diet with some meat, including ample green vegetables and fruits to support digestion and regular bowel movements. Avoid spicy and indigestible foods like sour and fried items, and limit raw and cold food consumption.

Second, engage in appropriate exercise

In daily life, choose walking over driving, take stairs instead of elevators, and go for walks after meals. Morning jogging is also beneficial. Regular physical activity enhances gastrointestinal function, boosts digestive fluid secretion, aids food digestion and nutrient absorption, and improves blood circulation in the gastrointestinal system, thus boosting metabolism.

Third, manage emotional fluctuations

Avoid extreme emotions; maintaining a positive mood supports a healthy appetite. Emotions greatly impact hunger, digestion, and absorption. Negative emotions can suppress appetite and lead to indigestion, while positive emotions assist normal gastrointestinal function.

Fourth, pay attention to temperature changes

As the saying goes, "Nine out of ten stomach diseases are due to cold," so keeping warm is vital. As winter approaches, those prone to stomach cold should stay warm and avoid cold exposures. Individuals with spleen deficiency can use warm patches on the abdomen and limit the intake of raw and cold fruits. Drinking a cup of ginger-infused warm water in the morning helps keep the stomach warm.