Do you know that one quick and easy way to gauge the condition of your blood is to look at your own fingernails? I was so excited about this fun fact I recently learned from Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), that I couldn’t wait to share it with you.
According to TCM, liver stores the blood, and its condition is manifested in the nails. If your blood is healthy and strong, you tend to have healthy nails – pinkish, shining, smooth, strong, and with no discolorations.
On the other hand, if your blood is deficient, it shows up on your nails as well. For example, your nails may be pale, dry, withered and brittle.
Another thing to pay attention to is your lunulae – the whitish crescent areas at the base of your fingernails that indicate new nail growth.
Normally lunulae appear on your thumbs and each of your fingers, except the little pinky fingers.
If you don’t have lunulae on your thumbs and fingers at all, or only have them on your thumbs and not on your fingers (in my case), it may be an indication of a blood deficiency.
This seems to make sense. If we have ample healthy blood, it will nourish the extremities, such as our nails, and support their growth. Conversely, if our blood is deficient in some way, it will negatively affect the color, shape, strength and growth of our nails. Simple as that.
Of course, you cannot make a true diagnosis simply by looking at your nails. Nevertheless, I think it’s a good tool for self-understanding.
For more detail indications from a Western perspective, check out the slide show from WebMD: What Your Nails Say About Your Health.
And check out some simple foods to nourish your blood, naturally.
beachgirl33140 says
September 10, 2013 at 12:12 pmooh what deficiency is it? i have the same thing going on, I only have them in my thumbs, but not the other nails.
Beth says
March 18, 2013 at 2:48 pmI’m currently 21 years old. I have irregular periods (sometimes it just skips a month)but this month my period started rather light and was bright red, it then got heavier but not as heavy as any of my periods prior and is still bright red. Normally it is darker in color and contains a lot of what look like blood clots but this time contains none. Any idea what might be going on? Any thoughts would be helpful.
cristille says
March 2, 2013 at 5:27 amI just turned 53 years old. My periods have been irregular for awhile
last week I had bright red bleeding with minimum pain like a period, a little burning in my crotch/groin area and a little discomfort when it stoppped. I was highly emotional, irritable, over the top prior to
my period and very anxious during. Has anyone else had this happen? I have been under enormous stress for awhile. Could this affect me or should I have stopped completely my menstrual cycle by now??
Jingtastic says
March 14, 2013 at 7:43 pmCristille, 49-53 is about the time most women have menopause. If you’re concerned, you may consider seeing a licensed acupuncturist. Acupuncture and herbal medicine are quite effective in helping to harmonize women’s menstrual cycles.
cristille says
February 25, 2013 at 6:39 amMy period is bright red blood age 53 with a few little clots. Is this normal ?