Lip color change: a hint of deteriorating health?

What is the first thing you do in the morning? brushing teeth? Wash your face? That’s normal, but I wish you could break the routine sometimes by studying your lip color once you get your body out of bed in the morning.

As indicated in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), changes in the color or texture of the lips indicate changes in the state of health. (Yes, looking at the lips is a form of diagnosis in TCM.) Healthy people have reddish, moderately moist and shiny lips. If you tire easily or if your health status is flashing red, that’s it…your lips will signal you through the following changes in color and texture.

pale lips

It is commonly found among people with anemia, blood loss, or other conditions associated with anemia and low cell counts.

Pale golden greenish upper lip

You may have a weak intestine, diarrhea, bleeding, stomach ache, fear of cold, etc.

pale lower lip

An indication of a weak and cold stomach, frequent vomiting and diarrhea, stomach ache, upset stomach, abdominal pain, etc.

greenish lips

Highly indicates poor blood circulation, it is prone to acute diseases, especially coronary disorders such as coronary thrombosis, stroke or similar acute attack.

Dry or dark red upper lips

Beware of abdominal disorder, this symptom may present with stiff shoulder, bad breath, mouth infection, throat irritation, clogged ears or nose, etc.

pale pink lip

Most likely it is associated with blood or energy and blood deficiency. Proper tonification of the blood or both blood and energy is needed.

extreme dark red lips

This is a symptom of the syndrome of excess in TCM. It is often accompanied by high fever, thirst, respiratory tract infection, abdominal fullness, and pain that can lead to coughing up and indigestion.

black lips

Highly suggestive of digestive system disorders, such as constipation, diarrhea, lower abdominal pain or even headache, insomnia, lack of appetite, etc. Smoking and excessive caffeine consumption also cause the lips to darken. Anyway, some people are inherited with a darker lip color.

Black spots on the lips or black ring around the lips

Closely monitor the function of the adrenal cortex. It could be weakening without our knowledge.