Today, I want to share a particularly practical secret of TCM inspection: how to tell if there are problems with your five internal organs just by looking at your facial features.

First, let's talk about the eyes. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, it is said that "the liver opens into the eyes," meaning the relationship between the eyes and the liver is very close. If you usually feel your eyes are dry, fatigued, or your vision is blurry, this is mostly caused by insufficient liver blood. Liver blood is like the nutrient solution for the eyes; if liver blood is insufficient and the eyes aren't nourished, problems will naturally arise. If the eyes are red with many bloodshot streaks, dry, watery, and prone to inflammation or styes, this is likely due to excessive liver fire. When liver fire is too strong, it's like a fire burning inside the body that rushes upward, causing the eyes to suffer. In such cases, we can refer to Xiaoyao Wan to regulate Qi and blood and reduce liver fire. Xiaoyao Wan can soothe the liver and strengthen the spleen, making the circulation of Qi and blood smoother, which naturally brings down the liver fire.

Next, let’s look at the ears. The kidneys open into the ears, so the ears can reflect the condition of the kidneys. Some people have relatively small ears, which is very likely a congenital deficiency of kidney Qi. Kidney Qi is like the body's power source; if it is insufficient, functions in various aspects of the body will be affected. If the auricle is dark, withered, and shrunken, accompanied by symptoms such as hearing loss, tinnitus, and soreness or weakness in the lower back and knees, it is mostly due to a deficiency of kidney essence. Kidney essence is the foundation of the body; when it is insufficient, the body gradually becomes weak.

Moving on to the lips. The spleen opens into the mouth and manifests in the lips; therefore, the lips can indicate whether the spleen and stomach are healthy. If the lips are pale, or become thin, dry, lack fullness, and lose their rosy color, this is mostly a manifestation of spleen and stomach weakness. The spleen and stomach are the "foundation of acquired constitution," responsible for digesting and absorbing food. If they are weak, digestive and absorptive functions will suffer, leading to a bland taste in the mouth and a decreased appetite. If the area around the lips appears purple or black, it usually indicates spleen deficiency with dampness encumbrance. When the spleen is weak, its ability to transport and transform water-dampness decreases, causing dampness to accumulate in the body, which manifests as a purple or black tint around the mouth. In such cases, one may consider Xiangsha Yangwei Wan, which can warm the middle burner and harmonize the stomach, improving the condition of spleen and stomach weakness.

Now, let's talk about the nose. The lungs open into the nose, so the nose reflects the condition of the lungs. If the nose appears pale or bluish, and is accompanied by frequent runny nose, sneezing, headaches, wheezing, and coughing, this is often due to cold pathogens invading the lungs. Cold pathogens are like a blast of cold air attacking the lungs, impairing their function. In such cases, one can refer to Tongxuan Lifei Wan, which can release the exterior, disperse cold, ventilate the lungs, and stop coughing, effectively expelling the cold pathogens.

Finally, let’s talk about the tongue. The heart opens into the tongue, so the tongue can reflect whether there are issues within the Heart Meridian. If the tip of the tongue is red, has ulcers, or displays red dots, accompanied by irritability, insomnia, and yellow urine, one should consider excessive heart fire or insufficient heart yin. Excessive heart fire is like a fire burning in the heart, making one feel restless and agitated; insufficient heart yin is like having inadequate water in the heart to nourish the body, leading to insomnia and yellow urine. In such cases, adjustments can be made based on Tianwang Buxin Dan and Daochi San. Tianwang Buxin Dan can nourish yin and blood while tonifying the heart and calming the mind; Daochi San can clear heart fire, promote urination, and nourish yin. Using these two formulas together can help lower heart fire and replenish heart yin.

In your daily life, you should pay more attention to your five sensory organs. If you experience the conditions mentioned above, it may indicate issues with your internal organs, and you should seek timely conditioning.