The information provided here is not a replacement for a doctor. You shouldn't use it for the purpose of self-diagnosing or self-medicating but rather so you can have a more informed discussion with a professional TCM practitioner.
Lusterless complexion and nails can be the consequence of several so-called “patterns of disharmony” in Chinese Medicine.
Chinese Medicine sees the body as a system, not a sum of isolated parts. A "pattern" is when the system's harmony is disrupted, leading to symptoms or signs that something is wrong (like lusterless complexion and nails here). It is similar to the concept of disease in Western Medicine but not quite: a Western disease can often be explained by several Chinese patterns and vice-versa.
A pattern often manifests itself in a combination of symptoms that, at first glance, do not seem necessarily related to each others. For instance here lusterless complexion and nails is often associated with dizziness, blurred vision and insomnia in the pattern “Blood Deficiency and Stagnation”.
Once identified, patterns are treated using medicinal herbs, acupuncture, and other therapies. In the case of lusterless complexion and nails we’ve identified two herbal formulas that may help treat patterns behind the symptom.
We’ve also selected below the five medicinal herbs that we think are most likely to help treat lusterless complexion and nails.
Blood Deficiency and Stagnation, a "pattern of disharmony" that can cause lusterless complexion and nails
In Chinese Medicine lusterless complexion and nails is a symptom for the pattern "Blood Deficiency and Stagnation". Below is a small explanation for it with links for more details.
Prepared Rehmannia (Shu Di huang) is the king ingredient for Si Wu Tang, a formula used for Blood Deficiency and Stagnation
Blood Deficiency and Stagnation
Pulse type(s): Choppy (Se), Wiry (Xian), Fine (Xi)
Tongue color: Pale
In addition to lusterless complexion and nails, other symptoms associated with Blood Deficiency and Stagnation include dizziness, blurred vision and insomnia.
Blood Deficiency and Stagnation is often treated with Si Wu Tang, a herbal formula made of 4 herbs (including Prepared Rehmannia - Shu Di huang - as a key herb). Si Wu Tang belongs to the category of "formulas that tonify blood", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Restores and nourishes Blood".
Two herbal formulas that might help with lusterless complexion and nails
Si Wu Tang
Source date: 846 AD
Number of ingredients: 4 herbs
Key actions: Restores and nourishes Blood. Stimulates Blood circulation.
Why might Si Wu Tang help with lusterless complexion and nails?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Blood Deficiency and Stagnation' of which lusterless complexion and nails is a symptom.
Other symptoms characteristic of Blood Deficiency And Stagnation include dizziness, blurred vision and insomnia.
Tao Hong Si Wu Tang
Source date: 1291 AD
Number of ingredients: 6 herbs
Key actions: Tonifies Blood and regulates the Liver. Moves Qi and Blood in the lower abdomen. Stops pain.
Why might Tao Hong Si Wu Tang help with lusterless complexion and nails?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Blood Deficiency and Stagnation' of which lusterless complexion and nails is a symptom.
Other symptoms characteristic of Blood Deficiency And Stagnation include dizziness, blurred vision and insomnia.
The five Chinese Medicinal herbs most likely to help treat lusterless complexion and nails
Why might Dong Quai (Dang Gui) help with lusterless complexion and nails?
Because Dong Quai is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat lusterless complexion and nails as a symptom, like Si Wu Tang or Tao Hong Si Wu Tang for instance.
Dong Quai is a Warm herb that tastes Pungent and Sweet. It targets the Spleen, the Heart and the Liver.
Its main actions are: Tonifies the Blood. Lubricates the Intestines. Relieve constipation. Promotes circulation and dispels Bi Pain. Reduce Dysmenorrhea and help with irregular menstruation.
Why might Szechuan Lovage Root (Chuan Xiong) help with lusterless complexion and nails?
Because Szechuan Lovage Root is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat lusterless complexion and nails as a symptom, like Si Wu Tang or Tao Hong Si Wu Tang for instance.
Szechuan Lovage Roots is a Warm herb that tastes Pungent. It targets the Gallbladder, the Liver and the Pericardium.
Its main actions are: Regulates and moves the Blood. Relieves Wind-Cold and pain. Circulates the Qi in the Upper Burner, relieving headaches.
Why might White Peony Root (Bai Shao) help with lusterless complexion and nails?
Because White Peony Root is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat lusterless complexion and nails as a symptom, like Si Wu Tang or Tao Hong Si Wu Tang for instance.
White Peony Roots is a Neutral herb that tastes Bitter and Sour. It targets the Spleen and the Liver.
Its main actions are: Tonifies the Blood and preserves the Yin. Nourishes the Liver and assists in the smooth flow of Qi. Regulates the meridians and eases the pain.
Why might Prepared Rehmannia (Shu Di Huang) help with lusterless complexion and nails?
Because Prepared Rehmannia is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat lusterless complexion and nails as a symptom, like Si Wu Tang or Tao Hong Si Wu Tang for instance.
Prepared Rehmannia is a Warm herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Kidney and the Liver.
Its main actions are: Tonifies the Blood. Tonifies the Yin of the Kidneys.
Why might Peach Kernel (Tao Ren) help with lusterless complexion and nails?
Because it is a key herb in Tao Hong Si Wu Tang, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern 'Blood Deficiency and Stagnation' (a pattern with lusterless complexion and nails as a symptom)
Peach Kernels is a Neutral herb that tastes Bitter and Sweet. It targets the Heart, the Large intestine and the Liver.
Its main actions are: Moves Blood and breaks up Stasis. Moistens the Intestines. Relieves coughing.
Other symptoms often associated with lusterless complexion and nails
Dizziness Blurred vision Insomnia Palpitations Irregular menstruation Amenorrhea Lower abdominal pain Muscle tension