What TCM Says About Your Face And Lung Health

By cocosomers // 2026-10-12

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Dry, dull skin, puffy eyelids, or changes around the nose may seem like minor cosmetic concerns. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), practitioners consider these observations alongside breathing, energy levels, and other symptoms to assess the health of the lung system, according to an article published by The Epoch Times on Oct. 5. In TCM, the lung system encompasses breathing as well as traditional functions involving the skin and the movement of body fluids, Grace Zhang, a TCM practitioner at Northern Medical Center in New York, said. Facial changes alone cannot diagnose lung disease, the article stated. Their significance depends on accompanying symptoms, how long they persist, and a person's overall health. Some facial changes are viewed differently in TCM, and a few can signal the need for prompt care, the article stated [1][2]. Swollen eyelids, however, can also result from kidney disease, allergies, insufficient sleep, and other causes, and when the cause is unclear, the article recommends consulting a physician [1].

Facial Signs TCM Associates With the Lung System

The TCM text compiled as Diagnosis in Chinese Medicine likewise lists the lungs as corresponding to the skin, with pores open [3]. A related TCM reference work on complexion states that a persistently pale and dull complexion may be caused by anemia or other conditions and, in TCM, may also be linked to an imbalance in the lungs' regulatory functions [4]. In TCM, different areas of the face are associated with different internal organs, and the forehead is linked to the lungs, the article stated. In TCM, it is believed that "the lungs open into the nose," meaning that changes in the nose's color and condition may reflect changes involving the lungs, the article stated. Separate TCM face-reading material holds that the upper cheeks are commonly connected to the lungs, with breakouts, redness, or dryness there possibly relating to allergies, immune health, or respiratory issues [5]. TCM holds that "the lungs govern breathing," describing the lungs as the body's primary site of oxygen exchange, the article stated.

Everyday Factors Cited as Potentially Harmful to Lungs

Failing to use appropriate protection when handling chemical cleaners, including bleach, may increase the risk of irritating or damaging the respiratory tract, the article stated. TCM writing addresses respiratory complaints through pattern identification rather than symptom suppression. One report describes TCM as treating cough by identifying its root pattern, such as heat, cold, dry, or deficiency, and notes that chronic coughs lasting over three weeks often signal internal imbalances or conditions like allergies or acid reflux [6]. A separate article published by NaturalNews.com states that, in TCM, autumn is the season when the lung system is most active yet vulnerable, as dry air depletes moisture and irritates the respiratory tract, making the body more prone to illness, and that supporting lung health during fall helps strengthen wei qi, described as the body's natural protective energy [7]. The protective function of defending qi, according to a chapter in Traditional Herbal Medicine Research Methods, displays in three respects: guarding the surface of the body; keeping a relatively constant body temperature by controlling the opening and closing of the pores and adjusting the excretion of sweat; and nourishing the viscera, bowels, muscles, skin and hair [8].

TCM Approaches to Support Lung Health

In TCM, the lung meridian is a pathway associated with lung function that extends from the chest along the arm to the thumb, and massaging acupoints along the lung meridian can nourish the lungs and ease respiratory discomfort, according to the article. The article states that paying attention to changes in the face can encourage greater awareness of the body, and that awareness can be turned into action by caring for the air one breathes, making time for movement and rest, and seeking help when breathing changes. Facial signs alone are not diagnostic, the article stated.

References

What Your Face May Reveal About Lung Health, According to TCM. https://www.theepochtimes.com/health/what-your-face-may-reveal-about-lung-health-according-to-tcm-6065069
What Your Face May Reveal About Lung Health, According .... https://www.theepochtimes.com/podcasts/health/what-your-face-may-reveal-about-lung-health-according-to-tcm-6065069
Diagnosis in Chinese Medicine A Comprehensive Guide by Giovanni Maciocia
What Your Complexion May Be Telling You About Your Health. https://www.theepochtimes.com/health/what-your-complexion-may-be-telling-you-about-your-health-6068672
What Your Face Can Tell Your Acupuncturist. https://www.acupuncturene.com/acupuncture/what-your-face-can-tell-your-acupuncturist/
Beyond the hack Ancient medicine decodes the persistent cough - NaturalNews.com, January 17, 2026
How Traditional Chinese Medicine strengthens the lungs when the weather turns dry and cool - NaturalNews.com, November 10, 2025
Understanding Traditional Chinese Medicine and Chinese Herbs by owen. Traditional Herbal Medicine Research Methods 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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