Face it, our health may not always be our primary concern-instead it is often how we look! Many of us really only pay attention to our health when we are sick or in pain. But we check out how we look every time we pass a mirror. Is that vanity? No, it is the grand design.
Just like a baby’s cry is supposed to irritate us so we immediately take action to find out what is wrong, every line, bump, wrinkle, blemish, pouch or discoloration on our face is trying to get our attention about something deep within our body. Our body is very wise and loving. If only we would listen and trust her. Read on to learn what your hair and skin says about your health.
Your Magic Mirror
Your face is a mirror of your health. It is a map of your internal organs and how they are doing. So is your hair. For example, your nose represents your heart. Your cheeks correlate to your lungs. The lines running down from your nose to your lips represent your colon. Your chin represents your reproductive system.
This type of diagnosis has been studied for thousands of years in the Chinese and Ayurvedic traditions. In these traditions, your constitution, emotional tendencies, longevity and character are all revealed in your face.
One of the core beliefs in Chinese medicine is that ‘the part contains the whole’. This means that every line and spot, scar, wrinkle or blemish means something. They do not appear on your face at random; rather the location they appear corresponds to an energy meridian that connects your face and body with your internal organs.
The Roots Create The Fruits
Natural beauty is like the fruits of a tree. What shows up on our face is a reflection of our health. I learned this in my teens after my mom died and I developed anxiety and insomnia. During this time, my eyebrows became very sparse.
I discovered through Chinese Face Diagnosis that eyebrows sit on energy meridians in the body that connect to the adrenal glands. When the adrenal glands are exhausted and weak, the eyebrows tend not grow, especially the outer third. People with a very strong constitution and a lot of energy have full eyebrows.
Lines between the eyebrows correspond to the liver. According to Jon Sandifer in his book Oriental Face Reading, if this area has deep lines, this indicates an imbalance in the liver. Interestingly, if the liver becomes overworked we can develop anger issues, and when we are angry a lot, this can damage our liver.
Read more about the importance of a healthy liver
When the liver becomes overloaded with toxins in the body or toxic emotions, it cannot function in storing iron, vitamins, glycogen and fat reserves, creating bile to digest our food, and detoxifying chemicals and pollutants from our environment. The best thing we can do for our liver and our looks is to avoid alcohol and over-eating.
Every mole, pimple or wrinkle lies along an energy pathway which energetically connects to one or more of your organs. Pimples seem to show up at the most inconvenient time, don’t they? Or, perhaps right before that big date is actually the perfect time to get your attention regarding a back up of waste in a certain organ that could be dangerous to your health.
Our Hair: A Reflection Of Our Energy
Our hair is also a reflection of our life-force or energy. The kidneys play a major part in our energy and the strength of our hair according to traditional Chinese medicine. Emotional turmoil, stress, and a lack of sleep can greatly weaken kidney energy and accelerate hair loss.
In his book Heal Your Face, Markus Rothkranz explains that, “The more split and frazzled the ends of the hair are, the more the person is over-eating, especially sugars, juices, sweets, fats, oils and drugs. Eat more vegetables, seaweed and minerals.”Read: Magnesium: The Most Magnificent Mineral
Avoid these foods to strengthen the kidneys and reverse grey and damaged hair:
- excessive meat
- dairy
- salt
- excessive cooked foods
Foods that strengthen the kidneys and can help reverse grey and damaged hair:
- Seaweed
- Blackstrap molasses
- Black sesame seeds
- Nettles
- Wheat grass
- Chlorophyll (found in green leafy veggies and sprouts)
Influencing Your Genes
Many people believe that hair loss, obesity and other health issues are strictly genetic and that they are stuck with them. The latest scientific discovery in Epigenetics proves that gene expression is not set in stone and may be changed. There are groups of genes that are totally influenced by thoughts and emotions, and can shift things instantly. Dr. Dawson Church, who wrote The Genie In Your Genes, says, “You are a Genetic Engineer. You are working on your body right now and can change even the molecules you produce in your system through your intention!”
Read more about patenting human genes
Looking and feeling young does not come from pills, potions or plastic surgery. It is simple: health and beauty is about keeping your physical and energetic channels clear and flowing.
Your bathroom mirror can be your friend. Like good friends who tell you the truth in loving and diplomatic ways, your face is also communicating with you. This is the wisdom of the body, and awareness of this can be powerful. Without painful tests, embarrassing exams or surgery, you can see what is going on with your body just by looking in the mirror.
For example, dry skin, crow’s feet, puffiness, discoloration, rashes, and bags under your eyes are not only signs of aging or menopause, and may not be random. They may be signs guiding you to a specific health challenge that needs your attention. They are like warning lights on your car’s dashboard.
Read these signs and ask for guidance. Your intuition will become louder when you consciously practice being receptive. You will naturally be guided to eat healthy, get enough rest and sleep, be positive, feel good and will look like the amazing goddess you so are!
Read more about getting better sleep
Self Care Is Sacred, Not Selfish
Know that you have the power to reverse grey hair, soften lines and wrinkles and clear up your skin with every thought you think and meal you prepare. Health and beauty are a reflection of how you take care of yourself. The next time you look in the mirror, smile and wink at the lovely creature looking back at you and promise to be in communication and take care of her!
Photo Credit: Vivian Chen