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Heaven-Earth-Man Facial Diagnosis

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Looking at the face is as important a diagnostic tool as listening to the pulse. When observing the face,
there are three aspects that are noted. First is the physical structure - the size, shape, and placement of
bone and cartilage.
This corresponds to "man." Second is the glitter of
the eyes and overall spiritual presence. This
corresponds to "heaven." Third is the status of the
physiological processes going on in the individual
(corresponding to "earth").

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By Wendy A. McAllister, LAc, Dipl. Ac.

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March, 2006, Vol. 07, Issue 03

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In pathology (or lack of harmony or balance) these

physiological processes manifest as colors, lines
and lesions on the face. This article presents a
brief picture that is highly effective in clinical
practice and is easy to learn. It's based on a sheet
given to me while I was a student at the
International College of Oriental Medicine (UK) in
1978. The heaven-earth-man paradigm is based
on Shokanten lecture notes from ICOM; additional
information about the Shokanten and face
diagnosis is available by contacting me. The
sources for all of this information are the late Dr. J.D. van Buren and ICOM.

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The face has three distinct geographic locations. The upper third belongs to heaven, the lower third to
man, and the middle third to earth. Each location is subdivided as well.
Heaven
Hair
Kidneys control hair
Lungs control sheen of hair

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Lungs control sheen of hair
Spleen controls dandruff
Temples
Corresponds to Three Heaters (San Jiao) and Gall Bladder
Receding hairline indicates Gall Bladder imbalance
Dry red forehead indicates Urinary Bladder imbalance
Lower forehead and between the eyebrows
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Many horizontal lines - Spleen imbalance

One deep horizontal line - Small Intestine imbalance
Between eyebrows - two vertical lines indicate Liver imbalance; one vertical line (also known as
"suspending needle") indicates Stomach imbalance; one horizontal line at bridge of nose indicates
Heart imbalance
Earth

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Eyebrows divided into three areas

Most medial, superior to the inner canthus of the eye, corresponds to Kidney
Outer third, medial to San Jiao 23, corresponds to San Jiao
Middle third corresponds to Spleen
Eyelids
Upper lid corresponds to Spleen
Large fluid sacs in this area indicates Kidney problem
Eye
Pupil - Heart
Iris - Liver
Sclera - Lungs
Little lines lateral to outer canthus of eye
Upper - Small Intestine
Lower - Heart
Middle - Bladder
Area below eye
Yellow and drooping -Stomach
Red cheekbone area - Heart and Small Intestine
Blue - Kidneys
Puffy brown - Liver
Huge sac - Large Intestine
Ears correspond to kidneys
Upper part of helix - Heart
Lower part (lobe) - Kidneys
Middle - Spleen
Nose corresponds to lungs
Tip of nose - Spleen
Nostrils - Lungs
Nasolabial fold - Gall Bladder
Cheek
Green color/tinge - Liver
White face - Metal
Red face - Fire
Yellow-grey - constipation
See above for red cheekbone area
Left cheek - Lungs
Right cheek - Large Intestine (colon)
Man
Medial to the angle of the jaw - see above
Mouth - in general, controlled by Spleen
Circle around mouth - Liver
Corner of the mouth - Stomach, Duodenum
Edge of lips - Spleen
Upper lip - Liver
Lower lip - Large Intestine
Directly below mouth
On the midline - Large Intestine
Slightly lateral both sides - Liver

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Heaven-Earth-Man Facial Diagnosis

Chin
Corresponds to Kidneys
Patient's left side - Blue-grey-yellow tinge - Lungs
Patient's right side - same colors - Kidneys
Neck area directly below the mandible
Patient's left side - Large Intestine
Patient's right side - Stomach
Neck area, lateral and posterior
Just below the occiput in men - Pericardium/Heart-Constrictor/Circulation-Sex
Just below the occiput in women - Small Intestine
Side of neck - Gall Bladder
Special thanks to Pauline van Buren, principal of ICOM, for her review of this article.

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