Your nails are a reflection of your inner world
In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), your nails are considered an external reflection of internal health — particularly the state of your Qi (vital energy) and blood.
When Qi and blood flow smoothly, your nails appear pink, strong, and smooth. When something’s out of balance, the signs often show up in subtle ways — dryness, brittleness, ridges, or colour changes.
Here’s what your nails might be telling you, and how to nurture both their surface and their source.
Pale, brittle nails
According to TCM, pale, brittle nails signal a blood deficiency — meaning your blood isn’t adequately nourishing and moistening your nails.
From a Western perspective, this aligns with what we know about nail structure: nails rely on steady nutrient-rich blood flow to the nail plate.
What to do:
Support your blood by eating iron-rich foods, resting well, and avoiding excessive exercise or stress. Warm, cooked meals and grounding foods (like lentils, spinach, and beetroot) are traditionally recommended to “build blood.”
White spots
White spots are usually caused by minor trauma — catching a nail on something — but can also indicate a magnesium or zinc deficiency.
In Chinese medicine, this is often linked to weak Spleen Qi — the digestive energy responsible for nutrient absorption.
What to do:
- Eat regular meals and avoid eating too late at night
- Focus on root vegetables and whole grains
- Reduce excess cold liquids
- Try gentle warming foods that support digestion
Balanced digestion equals stronger nails — inside and out.
No moons (lunulas) at the base of your nails
The white semicircles at the base of your nails are called lunulas. In TCM, their absence is often associated with weak digestive fire — or pathogenic cold — which corresponds to sluggish metabolism or low energy.
What to do:
Reignite your internal warmth with gentle spice and warmth. Think ginger tea in the morning, black or cayenne pepper, cardamom, or liquorice root. These support digestive strength and overall vitality.
Ridged nails
Vertical ridges are common with age — circulation naturally slows, reducing nutrient delivery to the nail bed. In Chinese medicine, this reflects declining Qi and blood flow.
What to do:
Stay active, eat well, and keep circulation strong. Foods that nourish the blood — like red beans, dates, and leafy greens — help maintain smoother, more supple nails over time.
Important:
Deep or horizontal ridges can signal more serious health issues. Always check in with your GP if you’re concerned.
Balancing inner and outer care
From a TCM perspective, nail health is a reflection of harmony. But topical care still plays an important role.
Support your nail’s outer strength and hydration with the Ultimate Nail Rescue Set — a two-step treatment that restores flexibility and moisture while you work on nourishing your Qi and blood from within.
Healthy nails are built through daily balance — diet, rest, and a little ritual.
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Want to learn more? Here's a handy write-up on how to treat damaged nails depending on your concern.
