Advanced Naturopathic Case Taking: Naturopathic Evaluation Tools: The Basics

Question 1

Observation:

Answer 1

The general colour and texture of the skin can provide an insight into energetic excesses, as well as potential pathologies:

Question 2

Observation: Colour/ Texture - Strong Red

Answer 2

• Excess heat.

Question 3

Observation: Colour/Texture -Pale Red or Malar Flush

Answer 3

• Yin deficiency, SLE, Rosacea (linked to H pylori), B3 deficiency.
  Malar flush = red discolouration of cheeks.

Question 4

Observation:
Colour/Texture - Pallor

Answer 4

• Qi deficiency, Anaemia

Question 5

Observation: Colour/Texture-Yellow

Answer 5

• Liver / biliary disease, Spleen Qi deficiency (if sallow yellow / pasty).

Question 6

Observation:
Colour/Texture - Puffy

Answer 6

• Yang deficiency.

Question 7

Observation:
Colour/Texture - Dry

Answer 7

• Yin deficiency, Dehydration.

Question 8

Observation: Lines across the forehead

Answer 8

• Many: Poor intestinal health.
• One: Small intestine issues (decreased absorption, etc.).

Question 9

Observation: Lines between eyebrows

Answer 9

• One: Stomach insufficiency (e.g. HCl, pepsin).
• Two: Liver imbalances (alcoholic, suppressed anger)

Question 10

Observation: Lines above lips

Answer 10

• ‘Purse strings’ on upper lip (reproductive organ weakness / blood deficiency / smoker).

Question 11

Observation: Other facial observations – Under eye Shadows

Answer 11

• Brown shadows under eye area = liver ‘stagnation’.
• Blue/black shadows under eyes / ‘bags’ = adrenal exhaustion / kidneys.

Question 12

Diagnosis by smelling:

Answer 12

If not caused by inadequate hygiene, the following smells can provide an insight into energetic excesses:
* Strong smell (body odour) = Heat.
* Absence of smell =Cold.
* Bad breath = Stomach heat.
* Smelly urine or stools = Damp heat.

Question 13

Naturopathic Tools to explore suspicions

Answer 13

Naturopathic evaluation tools should be utilised with an open mind as to what you might find.
* You might be interested in certain tools that help you to further explore particular suspicions.
For example:
* If you suspect poor thyroid function: Skin (dry?), hair (thin / loss?), neck (goitre?), pulse (bradycardic?), blood pressure (low?) etc.
* If you suspect anaemia: Skin and conjunctiva (pallor?), mouth (angular stomatitis / pale or red tongue?), pulse (tachycardic?), nails (spooning?) etc.