Why Are My Lips Always Peeling?

Written By: Melody, TCM Practitioner.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), peeling lips are primarily linked to the dysfunction of three internal organs: the Lungs, Spleen, and Kidneys. This is mainly because the body's internal "water" (fluids) is insufficient.

Why Do Lips Peel?

TCM believes that peeling lips are primarily caused by an insufficiency of "Jin Ye" (津液) in the body. Jin Ye is like the body's internal water, moisturizing our skin and mucous membranes. If Jin Ye is insufficient, the lips will become dry and even crack.

There are many reasons for insufficient Jin Ye, mainly related to these organs:

🔹 Lungs Govern the Skin and Hair (肺主皮毛): 

The Lungs are like a humidifier, responsible for providing Jin Ye to the body. If the Lung function is poor, Jin Ye will decrease, leading to dry lips.

🔹 Spleen Governs Transformation and Transportation (脾主运化): 

The Spleen is responsible for transforming and transporting food essences, meaning converting the food we eat into the nutrients the body needs. If the Spleen's function is poor, the transportation of Jin Ye will be obstructed, and the lips will also lack moisture.

🔹 Kidneys Govern Water Metabolism (肾主水液): 

The Kidneys are the "Root of Congenital Essence" and are responsible for storing Jin Ye. If the Kidney's Yin fluid is insufficient, Jin Ye will be deficient, causing dry lips.

Besides insufficient Jin Ye, other factors can also lead to peeling lips:

🔹Heat Pathogen Injuring Jin Ye (热邪伤津): 

For example, eating too many spicy foods or being in excessively hot weather can consume the body's Jin Ye, leading to dry lips.

🔹Blood Deficiency Generating Wind (血虚生风): 

If there is insufficient blood, "wind" pathogens can arise. Wind pathogens easily injure Jin Ye, resulting in dry lips.

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Easy Ways to Relieve Peeling Lips at Home:

🔸 Dietary Adjustment:

-Eat more cooling, Yin-nourishing, and moisturizing foods like pears, tremella fungus (snow fungus), lily bulbs, and lotus seeds. These foods help to moisturize the body and alleviate dryness.

-Consume more blood-tonifying foods such as red dates, longan, and Ejiao (donkey-hide gelatin), which help improve blood deficiency and promote circulation to the lips.

-Spicy and irritating foods can easily deplete Jin Ye and worsen lip dryness, so eat less of them.

🔸 Drink Plenty of Water: 

Staying well-hydrated helps moisturize the body and relieve dry lips.

🔸 Pay Attention to Warmth: 

Keep warm and avoid cold winds directly blowing on your lips.

🔸 Ensure Adequate Sleep: 

Sufficient sleep helps restore bodily functions and boost immunity.

🔸 Avoid Licking Lips: 

Licking your lips removes moisture and worsens dryness.

🔸 Use Lip Balm: 

Choose lip balms with natural ingredients and no irritating substances, and apply them frequently.

🔸 Mind Indoor Humidity: 

Use a humidifier to increase indoor humidity, which can alleviate dryness.

🔸 Avoid Prolonged Screen Time: 

Radiation from computer or phone screens can accelerate moisture evaporation, worsening lip dryness.

If these methods don't yield results, then you might consider TCM professional help.

How Does TCM Treat Peeling Lips?

🌱 Chinese Herbal Medicine (中药) 

The primary approach is to replenish the body's Jin Ye through methods of nourishing Yin and moistening dryness, and benefiting Qi and nourishing Blood.

• Nourishing Yin and Moistening Dryness: 

  Using Yin-nourishing and dryness-moistening Chinese herbs, such as Ophiopogon Root (麦冬), Asparagus Root (天冬), and Lily Bulb (百合), to increase the body's Jin Ye.

  
  

• Benefiting Qi and Nourishing Blood: 

  Using Qi-tonifying and Blood-nourishing Chinese herbs, such as Ginseng (人参), Astragalus Root (黄芪), and Angelica Sinensis (当归), to enhance the body's resistance and promote Jin Ye production.

  
  

• Clearing Heat and Cooling Blood: 

  If caused by heat pathogens injuring Jin Ye, some heat-clearing and blood-cooling herbs, such as Scrophularia Root (玄参) and Rehmannia Root (生地), may also be used.

Besides taking Chinese herbal medicine, TCM offers other treatment methods:

🌱 Acupuncture (针灸) 

By stimulating specific acupoints, acupuncture regulates organ functions and promotes Jin Ye generation.

🌱 Cupping (拔罐) 

Cupping can promote blood circulation, improve local microcirculation, and accelerate the healing of lip wounds.

🌱 Dietary Therapy (饮食调理) 

Eat more Yin-nourishing and dryness-moistening foods, such as pears, tremella fungus, and honey, and reduce spicy and irritating foods.

🌱 TCM External Therapies (中医外治法)

• Honey Application: Honey has moisturizing and anti-inflammatory properties and can be applied to the lips for hydration and protection.

• Acupressure Around Lips: Massaging acupoints around the lips, such as Renzhong (人中, GV26) and Chengjiang (承浆, CV24), can promote local blood circulation and alleviate dryness.

Important Reminder:

⚠️ The causes of peeling lips are numerous; TCM treatment plans need to be tailored to each individual's specific situation.

⚠️ TCM treatment is a gradual process that requires patience and persistence.

⚠️ In addition to TCM treatment, it's essential to maintain good lifestyle habits, drink plenty of water, and eat fresh fruits and vegetables.

TCM believes that peeling lips are a manifestation of insufficient Jin Ye within the body, related to the dysfunction of organs like the Lungs, Spleen, and Kidneys. Through methods like nourishing Yin and moistening dryness, and benefiting Qi and nourishing Blood, the symptoms of dry, peeling lips can be effectively improved.

If you'd like to learn more about TCM wellness, or if you'd like more personalized advice for your specific situation, we recommend booking a consultation.