What does acne on cheeks have to do with problems of the liver and spleen?

According to traditional Chinese medicine doctors, problems such as pigmentation, acne, chloasma and whelk are linked with weak internal organs. These problems can be cured by Chinese medical massage, acupuncture and drinking herbal soup.

For some people, these problem do not last long. But a Chinese woman in her 40s and surnamed Zhang has had chloasma on her face for more than 10 years.

When she came to see Han Lijuan, an acupuncturist and masseur at the Beijing Massage Hospital, the doctor explained that the problem was linked with a weakness in the stomach and spleen.

Han applied acupuncture and massage to her face, forearm and the front of the lower part of the leg.

In about a month, the speckles on her face reduced. After two months, the speckles virtually disappeared.
She was told by the doctor that the speckles will not return for quite a while.

"Problems with internal organs can be reflected on the skin," explained Han. "Sometimes when the skin is not in good condition, it combines with problems inside and an external problem occurs."

Not all skin problems are linked with problems of internal organs. But during 10 years of practice, Han has observed many links between the two. For example, acne on the cheek might be linked with problems of the liver and spleen. Acne near the mouth and chin might be caused by problems in the stomach and spleen.

"Many cases of acne and chloasma are linked with problems of the lungs, liver, spleen and kidneys," she said.

Such problems include excessive heat in the lungs, stagnant matter in the liver, women secretion disorders, excessive fire in the heart and weakness of the kidneys.

Qu Yi, a medical masseur at the Beijing Massage Hospital, explains how a weak liver and kidneys causes pigmentation: "Insufficient energy at the liver and kidneys leads to poor circulation of qi, vital energy, and blood, making it difficult for stagnant matter to be discharged out of the body."

Because many of the channels of qi passing internal organs end on the face, problems with these organs often manifest themselves as acne, pigmentation and chloasma.

Han and Qu used to treat people with bone and muscle problems. However, many more people, a majority being women, come for more aesthetic reasons.

The medical practitioners combine acupuncture and massage with beautifying face masks that contain herbal essences.

"Massage and acupuncture can not only open up blocked channels on the surface of the skin, but can also adjust functions of related internal organs and promote circulation of qi and blood," Han explained.

The most often treated parts include the face, abdomen, arms, legs and sometimes the upper back, depending on the diagnosis.

Xu Wenbing, a traditional Chinese doctor at the Hope Institute of Chinese Medicine, reveals that herbal soup to adjust overall health, herbal detergent for washing and herbal cream containing pearl powder also have beautifying effects for women.

Nourishing food such as yam porridge and specially processed pig-skin soup can improve the condition of the skin.

He believes smoking can hurt the lungs and make the skin look bad. Meanwhile a good sexual life makes everyone look good.

(China Daily November 19, 2004)