Natural Beauty and Health (1): Ancient Oriental Way
Guan-guan go the ospreys,
On the islet in the river.
The modest, retiring, virtuous, young lady,
For our lord a good mate she.
This song was collected in an ancient Chinese book of odes called “Shi Jing” written as early as 1000 B.C. An ancient beautiful Chinese woman was appreciated as having soft, smooth, proportional small features. This is beauty, but a narrow definition of beauty from Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) perspective. A broad definition of beauty in TCM view is healthy existence: a healthy body naturally and harmoniously encompassed with our universe. For example, normal aging is beauty because it is natural process in the human body.
According to an ancient Chinese book called “Classic of Mountains and Seas” written 3000 thousand years ago, 180 species of animals plants were recorded. Some cosmetic herbs like Xun Cao and Yao Cao were described as making skin glowing, and body more attractive and seductive. A record from 1700 - 1000 B.C. described that ancient Chinese women used purple, blue flower juice condensed solution for facial make-up. The first Women Appearance House was established by royal families in 1000 – 770 B.C. Between 475 B.C to 220 A.D. Xiongnu women, a group of nomadic people once lived in Northern China, used red juice extracted from herbs, called “Yan-Zhi”, on cheek and lip for beauty. Yan-Zhi was gradually adopted by Han Chinese women. In today’s China, the word “Yan-Zhi” is still used to refer beauty. In the earliest Chinese medical material dictionary entitled “Shenlong Ben Cao”, more than 30 cosmetic herbs were recorded. Some herbs could make skin rejuvenating and healthy radiant appearance. During Tang Dynasty (618-907), Traditional Cosmetic Medicine had matured. Physicians were specialized in cosmetic medicine. During Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), more than 500 herbs and 40 formulas related to cosmetics were described in a dictionary of Chinese herbs called “Ben Cao Gang Mu”.
The most important book called “Yellow Emperor's Internal Classics” written in 200 B.C. set down the theoretical basis for TCM. The intimate relationship between parts of appearance (face, hair, nails, lip, ears, eyes and nose) and internal organs was explained. For example, the heart is related to face, lung to skin, kidney to hair and liver to nails and lip. They are connected by meridians and balanced through flow of emery (Qi) and blood. The healthy skin and beautiful appearance reflect health of the internal organs.
This is a foundation for Traditional Cosmetic Medicine. Five major methods were developed and applied to cosmetics: herb medicine, acupuncture/acupressure, tuina massage, diet therapy, and Qi Gong therapy. The methods are used to balance meridians, enhance the flow of Qi and blood and maintain health of the internal organs in order to achieve natural beauty of body with a healthy looking.
