Chinese at Home Facial Remedies

Chinese medicine revolves around the idea that outer beauty is a reflection of inner health. Achieving and keeping a healthy face requires that a person eat nutritious foods, take the appropriate herbal medicines and undergo acupuncture and acupressure treatments, says Dr. Ping Zhang, a doctor of Oriental medicine and author of "A Comprehensive Handbook for Traditional Chinese Medicine Facial Rejuvenation and Anti- Aging Therapy."

Gingko Nuts

• The Gingko nut is found in Chinese markets under the name "bai gou." Gingko is believed by many to improve memory functions when ingested, but it is also used topically to clear a person's complexion. In most cases the nuts are crushed, ground into a paste and applied to the face.

Mulberry Fruit

• Mulberries are either eaten fresh or consumed as a juice. "Sang Shen," as the berries are known in China, is regarded as a blood tonic that serves double duty by helping remove dark spots from a person's face.

Persimmons

• Ripe persimmons, or "shi zi," are eaten raw in order to moisten the skin. The Chinese also believe that persimmons improve lung function. Some people apply fresh persimmon peels to their face in order to provide a healthy glow.

White Turnip

• White turnips, also known as "daikon" or "bai luo," are thought to act as a detoxifying agent. The turnips can be chopped or diced and served in a soup, or eaten raw in a salad. White turnip juice is believe to clear up skin-tone discoloration if consumed each morning.

Winter Melon

• The gourd and seeds of the "dong gua," or winter melon, may be eaten either as a food or a herb. Dong Gua can also be applied topically, with small pieces of the juicy melon being rubbed over a person's face. Dong Gua is said to make skin look brighter.

Acupressure

• Massaging various acupressure points is believed to help alleviate certain conditions that contribute to an aging complexion. Massaging the point halfway between the eyebrows is said to cure insomnia, which in turn helps heal bags under the eyes that occur due to sleeplessness.