Significance of an inspection of the nose for diagnostic purposes:
In some instances, specific features that appear on the nose may help to define a final diagnosis. Since inhalation and exhalation occurs through the nose, the nose can be seen as the window of the Lung: Lung Qi passes through the nose. The nose, through which smells are detected, is in TCM also linked to the Spleen and may reflect its condition.
| (a) | The Stomach meridian passes through the nose. | |
| (b) | Color and Sheen: | |
| (i) | A blue nose (tip of the nose): Abdominal pain. | |
| (ii) | A yellow nose: Interior accumulation of Damp-Heat. | |
| (iii) | A white nose: Deficiency or Blood deficiency. | |
| (iv) | A red nose: Heat in the Spleen and/or the Lung channel. | |
| (v) | A black nose: Dampness or water retention. | |
| (vi) | A black, dry nose: Presence of Heat Toxins. | |
| (c) | Shape or form: | |
| (i) | A swollen nose can indicate an accumulation of pathogenic factors. | |
| (ii) | A shrunken nose may be a sign of Qi deficiency. | |
| (iii) | Clear nasal discharge: Wind-Cold condition. | |
| (iv) | Turbid nasal discharge: Wind-Heat condition. | |
| (v) | Flaring of the nostrils: Heat in the Lung (initial stage). | |
| (d) | Inspection of nasal discharge: | |
| (i) | A thick, sticky, yellow nasal discharge indicates an invasion of external pathogenic factor Wind-Heat. | |
| (ii) | A thin, watery nasal discharge could be an indication of Wind-Cold invasion. | |