Traditional Chinese Medicine Beauty Should Be Holistic, Not One-Sided
In spring, more people experience skin sensitivity, making traditional Chinese medicine beauty care popular due to its claimed side-effect-free nature. Experts caution that while enjoying massage, acupuncture, or even weight-loss treatments, TCM emphasizes comprehensive body regulation. Some beauty clinics or products overly emphasize single-method efficacy—consumers should be vigilant. Also, ensure the beautician is qualified and understands TCM theory.
Can weight-loss pills be taken long-term?
Many slimming women persistently drink weight-loss teas. Experts point out that most commercial weight-loss teas use herbal formulas like rhubarb, mirabilite, and aloe vera—all purgative herbs with cold nature. Long-term use may trigger new diseases.
Reports from hospitals in Shanghai indicate frequent cases of patients suffering from bodily dysfunction or even coma due to prolonged intake of weight-loss teas. According to TCM doctors, short-term use of rhubarb and aloe vera may result in temporary bowel movement relief, but long-term use leads to weakened immunity and may cause new conditions such as menstrual disorders, liver toxicity, edema, shock, anemia, dizziness, and localized liver cirrhosis. Elderly users may suffer uncontrollable diarrhea, weakening constitution, and even life-threatening situations.
Is clearing bowels equivalent to beauty?
Upon reviewing current detoxification and weight-loss product advertisements, one often sees claims linking bowel clearance with beauty, complexion improvement, spot removal, and wrinkle reduction. Experts note that while there is logic in connecting bowel health to skin appearance—since TCM teaches “the lungs govern skin and hair, and the lungs and large intestine are interior-exterior partners”—skin issues stem from diverse causes, so consumers must not over-trust such claims.
Dr. Li Bin, head of the Dermatology Department at Yueyang Hospital, explains that according to TCM theory, “the lungs govern the skin and hair, and the lungs and large intestine are interrelated; the lungs are zang (solid organs), the intestines are fu (hollow organs), and they influence each other.” Thus, regular bowel movements can indeed fade freckles and improve skin texture. However, not everyone will see skin improvement just from better bowel movements. Multiple factors contribute to skin problems, including poor sleep quality, prolonged computer use, and mental stress.
Can acupuncture permanently cure dark circles?
Acupuncture for dark circles is currently widely adopted. A promotional leaflet from a beauty clinic describes a method called “gentle moxibustion around the eyes,” claiming to treat dark circles, under-eye bags, crow’s feet, drooping outer eye corners, and eyelid edema. The method involves burning specially prepared strips of precious Chinese herbs inside a warming moxibustion device, rolling them along meridians and affected areas.
Dr. Ji Jun from the Shanghai Institute of Acupuncture and Meridians cautions that according to TCM theory, dark circles commonly occur in individuals with kidney deficiency. Treatment typically involves kidney-tonifying methods. Acupuncture at kidney meridian points is one approach, but it is not a definitive cure. Patients must also adjust diet, improve sleep quality, reduce mental burden—sole reliance on acupuncture alone cannot yield significant results.