[Health and Wellness Class] Women over 40 often have dull complexions and age spots. Traditional Chinese medicine teaches how to cook a 15-minute calming and beautifying porridge. [Recipe included]

▲ Registered Chinese medicine practitioner Huang Jingjing said that women's appearance begins to age at 35, and their hair begins to fall out. By 42, the signs of aging are more obvious, and their hair also turns gray.

According to the Yellow Emperor's Inner Classic, women enter a period of decline around the age of 42. Women over 40 should pay special attention to health preservation. In addition to external skin and complexion, they should also take good care of their internal organs to lay a solid foundation for health in middle and old age.

"At 28, a woman's bones and muscles are strong, her hair is at its longest, and her body is at its peak; at 35, her Yangming meridian declines, her face begins to wither, and her hair begins to fall out..." Registered Chinese medicine practitioner Huang Jingjing points out that the Yellow Emperor's Inner Classic describes a woman's physiology in multiples of seven. 28 is the age when a woman's body is at its peak, while at 35, her appearance begins to age and her hair begins to fall out. By 42, the signs of aging are more obvious, and her hair often turns gray. At 49, a woman enters menopause and gradually loses her reproductive function.

Men's physiological growth and aging occur in multiples of eight, which is why women often appear more mature than men of the same age. However, with advancements in skincare and cosmetics, and women's increased demands for self-care, women are now better able to resist aging than ever before. Dr. Huang says, "It's not just skincare and cosmetics that can combat aging; the internal balance of Qi, blood, Yin, and Yang in Traditional Chinese Medicine can also help women maintain a radiant appearance and defy aging even after they reach their 40s."

▲ Women in their 40s show obvious signs of aging, with gray hair gradually appearing on the top of their heads. (iStock)

Deconstructing various gynecological problems

* Uterine fibroids

Many women discover they have uterine fibroids during gynecological examinations when they reach their 40s. Uterine fibroids are common benign tumors in middle-aged women. Depending on the size, location, and number of fibroids, they can cause symptoms such as fertility difficulties, heavy or prolonged menstrual bleeding, bowel discomfort, and abdominal bloating. Dr. Huang explained that in Traditional Chinese Medicine, fibroids are considered "stone masses" or "lumps" in the abdomen, often caused by qi stagnation, blood stasis, and phlegm-dampness accumulation. Middle-aged women are often in a period of great concern regarding career, family responsibilities, and personal development, while their qi and blood are not as vigorous and smooth as in their youth. They are also prone to worry and depression, which can lead to blood stasis. The uterus and breasts are easily affected during this period. When the blood and qi in the uterus stagnate, internal masses can form, which are lumps similar to uterine fibroids.

In treating uterine fibroids with Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), she said the approach depends on the patient's menstrual cycle. If there are symptoms such as increased menstrual flow, menstrual cramps, or early menstruation, then treating the symptoms will be the priority. Treatment for uterine fibroids requires promoting blood circulation, removing blood stasis, breaking up masses, eliminating phlegm and dampness, promoting urination and defecation, and clearing away tumor cell metabolic products. Commonly used formulas for treating uterine fibroids include Guizhi Fuling Wan and Taohe Chengqi Tang. Commonly used Chinese herbs include Danshen, Ezhu, Qiancao, Moyao, Gusuibu, Taoren, and Honghua.

* Breast sagging

The breasts are a female sexual characteristic. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the breasts are located along the liver and stomach meridians, with the liver meridian being particularly susceptible to emotional distress. "It is recommended that middle-aged women perform regular self-examinations of their breasts, including palpation to check for nodules, sudden lumps, and abnormalities in the nipples and breast skin. Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers among women. Although the average age of breast cancer patients in Hong Kong is 57, there is a trend towards younger onset."

Emotional distress is detrimental to nutrient delivery to the breasts.

Many women believe that breasts best reflect their feminine function. As they age and breastfeed, their breasts may experience slight shrinkage, sagging, and loosening. Breast sagging and shrinkage are often related to insufficient Qi and blood, and liver Qi stagnation. In cases of insufficient Qi and blood, the breasts lack fullness, leading to fat loss. This is also common in women who diet to lose weight. Besides insufficient breast fullness, women with insufficient Qi and blood are also prone to dizziness and irregular menstruation. The breasts are where the liver meridian runs. Emotional distress can cause stagnation in the liver meridian, leading to Qi and blood stagnation. This can easily result in premenstrual breast tenderness, breast hyperplasia, and poor blood circulation, hindering nutrient delivery to the breasts, thus causing them to become dry and sagging.

Traditional Chinese medicine believes that proper acupressure, breast skin moisturizing, and a healthy diet and lifestyle can improve the appearance of the breasts. Dr. Huang recommends using baby oil or certain soothing essential oils to massage three key acupoints that can lift the breasts and improve breast hyperplasia:

Yingchuang acupoint: Located directly above the nipple, at the level of the third intercostal space, about four finger widths below the clavicle, in a depression. Pressing this point will produce a slight soreness and distension. It can regulate qi and promote lactation, thus improving blood circulation in the breasts.

Rugen acupoint: The Rugen acupoint is located one inch below the nipple, in the fifth intercostal space. When pressing, you should push upwards to stimulate mammary gland function, prevent sagging, and help breastfeeding mothers produce more milk.

Tianxi acupoint: Located on the outer side of the chest, two inches (about the width of two thumbs) lateral to the nipple. It can relieve chest congestion, promote lactation, and improve breast diseases.

* Dull, wrinkled skin with age spots

Women over 35 often experience a yellowish complexion, a loss of radiance, and many also develop increased pigmentation and fine lines. Dr. Huang explains that yellow is the color associated with the spleen and stomach, but a sallow, withered yellow complexion, lacking vibrancy, often indicates spleen deficiency or dampness. "Spleen and stomach deficiency is often accompanied by symptoms such as poor appetite, fatigue, and loose, sticky stools."

To replenish the Qi of the spleen and stomach, one can use the Sijunzi Decoction with added ingredients (Codonopsis pilosula, Atractylodes macrocephala, Poria cocos, and prepared licorice root). If the complexion is sallow, the face and limbs are swollen, the tongue coating is slippery and greasy, and the eyelids are heavy, it is often due to dampness stagnation in the spleen and stomach. In addition to strengthening the spleen, it is also necessary to remove dampness. Formulas such as Pingwei Powder and Weiling Decoction can be selected, which often contain Atractylodes lancea, Poria cocos, Citrus reticulata peel, Magnolia officinalis, and licorice root, which can both strengthen the spleen and remove dampness.

A dull complexion with patchy pigmentation, appearing dark or black, coupled with rough skin and nails, dry mouth with little thirst, dull hair, and in women, irregular menstruation, dysmenorrhea, breast pain, lower abdominal pain or lumps, bluish lips or petechiae, indicates blood stasis in the body. Traditional Chinese medicine herbs that promote blood circulation and remove blood stasis, such as Danshen, Mudanpi, and Yujin, can improve symptoms of dark pigmentation and pigmentation accumulation, reducing the formation of pigmentation at its root.

Traditional Chinese medicine acupuncture improves skin elasticity

Middle-aged women are prone to puffy and sagging skin. Dr. Wong points out that the root cause is that the body's collagen loss accelerates with age, while the rate of collagen production slows down. Facial acupuncture in Traditional Chinese Medicine has a significant effect on improving the skin. She explains, "In addition to stimulating acupoints, facial acupuncture can also stimulate collagen regeneration in the dermis. After acupuncture, the skin becomes noticeably firmer and the complexion improves." In addition to acupuncture at some of the common acupoints mentioned above, acupuncture on the chin, around the eyes, nasolabial folds, and crow's feet can effectively improve fine lines.

It is often said that middle-aged women need to replenish their Qi and blood. Dr. Huang said that if a woman has a pale and sallow complexion, premature graying of hair, dizziness, irregular menstruation (sometimes early, sometimes late, sometimes early, with light or heavy flow), fatigue, lack of energy, and memory loss, traditional Chinese medicine practitioners would recommend that she consume appropriate foods to replenish her Qi and blood. However, if a woman frequently experiences constipation, hot flashes and sweating, oily skin with acne, a thick and greasy tongue coating, or feels that she has excessive heat and dampness in her body, she should focus on clearing heat, strengthening the spleen, and removing dampness, rather than rushing to replenish her Qi and blood.

▲ Lily, Longan, and Red Date Porridge (iStock)

Two dietary therapies to replenish Qi and blood

Lily, Longan and Red Date Porridge

Ingredients: 20g lily bulbs, 10 longans, 6 red dates, 100g white rice. Instructions: Wash and soak the lily bulbs until soft. Remove the cores from the red dates. Wash the white rice and add 6-7 bowls of water. Cook on a rice cooker using the porridge function for 15 minutes. Add the other ingredients, cover, and cook until the porridge is done. Add rock sugar to taste if desired. Analysis: Lily bulbs nourish yin, moisten the lungs, and calm the mind; longans tonify the heart and spleen, nourish blood, and calm the mind; red dates tonify the middle jiao, replenish qi, and nourish blood; white rice strengthens the spleen and replenishes qi. This porridge is especially suitable for women with insufficient qi and blood, restlessness, and poor sleep. This porridge is mild and suitable for most women to nourish their qi and blood.

▲ Angelica and ginger mutton soup (online image)

Angelica and Ginger Lamb Soup

Ingredients: 15g Angelica sinensis slices, 10 large slices of ginger (about 20g), 500g lamb or lamb ribs, 4 red dates. Instructions: Blanch the lamb in boiling water. Place all ingredients in a soup pot, add 1.5 liters of water, bring to a boil over high heat, then simmer over low heat for 90 minutes. Season with salt and white wine to taste. Analysis: Angelica sinensis nourishes and invigorates blood circulation, and can treat menstrual cramps, headaches, dizziness due to blood deficiency, and lack of energy. Lamb is warming and can invigorate blood and qi, making it an excellent tonic in winter. It can improve cold hands and feet, and lower back pain and leg weakness during menstruation. Simmering ginger for a long time can dispel cold and promote qi circulation, and also helps to remove the gamey smell of lamb. Red dates nourish blood and qi. This soup is more suitable for women with insufficient blood and qi who experience lower back pain, cold intolerance, headaches, light menstrual flow, cold hands and feet, and pale complexion during menstruation. However, it is not suitable for women who have excessive body heat, constipation, frequent acne, mouth ulcers, or irritability.

Reporter: Zhou Meihua