Connie Ng, a distinguished Holistic Health Coach and international speaker, blends Five Elements wisdom with vibrational medicine to heal chronic respiratory, gut, and skin conditions. Renowned for her intuitive approach, she empowers clients to unlock deep mind-body connections, release energetic blockages, and catalyze profound transformation in their lives.
Your skin is more than just an outer layer; it’s a mirror of your internal health. If you've been struggling with eczema, psoriasis, bloating, or chronic sinus issues, your body is sending signals that go beyond the surface.
Eczema affects one in ten people at some point in their lives, while psoriasis impacts over 125 million people worldwide. Yet, conventional treatments often fail to address the root cause. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the skin, gut, and lungs are deeply connected through the Five Elements. Healing one means restoring balance to them all. Could your skin issues be rooted in digestion or even your breath? Read on to discover the missing link to lasting transformation.
The five elements: What your body is telling you
The Five Elements—Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water—govern different organs and functions. When these elements are in harmony, we feel energized, clear-skinned, and vibrant. But when out of balance, issues like inflammation, sluggish digestion, and chronic skin flare-ups appear.
Let’s explore how the skin, gut, and lungs are interconnected through these elements.
Earth feeds metal: The mother-child connection in skin health
In TCM, the Earth Element (Spleen & Stomach) is the "mother" of the Metal Element (Lungs & Skin). When digestion is strong and efficient, it nourishes the lungs and skin, allowing them to function optimally. But when gut health is compromised, the Metal Element weakens, leading to dry, inflamed, or hypersensitive skin, along with respiratory issues like asthma or chronic congestion.
A weak Earth Element produces excess phlegm, a key pathological byproduct of poor digestion. In TCM, phlegm forms when the Spleen fails to transform and transport fluids properly, leading to dampness accumulation.
Why does this matter for your skin?
Dampness in TCM refers to stagnant fluids in the body, causing heaviness, bloating, sluggish digestion, mucus buildup, and puffy or oozing skin conditions like weeping eczema. When phlegm rises to the lungs, it triggers sinus congestion, coughing, and difficulty breathing. Since the lungs and skin work together to expel toxins, phlegm overload often leads to skin eruptions, inflammation, and hypersensitivity.
This is why dairy, sugar, and cold/raw foods can worsen digestive issues and skin flare-ups—they create dampness, which stagnates detox pathways. When the gut is congested, the lungs and skin overcompensate, making eczema, psoriasis, and acne worse.
Clear the dampness, heal the skin
By eliminating excess dampness and phlegm, we ease the burden on the lungs and allow the skin to heal efficiently. Supporting Earth (digestion) first ensures that Metal (lungs & skin) can thrive, making gut healing essential for vibrant, healthy skin.
Gut and skin relationship (Earth)
The Earth Element (Spleen & Stomach) governs digestion and nutrient absorption. If your gut is struggling, your skin suffers, leading to eczema, rosacea, acne, or psoriasis.
Signs of an imbalanced earth element
Bloating, sluggish digestion, or food sensitivities
Cravings for sugar and processed foods
Inflamed skin, poor wound healing, or breakouts
Worry, overthinking, or feeling mentally drained
Detoxing the gut with enzymes
Before we nourish the gut, we must first eliminate what no longer serves us, both physically and energetically. Over time, toxins, undigested waste, and mucoid plaque, a thick rubbery buildup in the intestines, block nutrient absorption, fueling inflammation and imbalances.
A deep gut reset is the first step toward transformation. I recommend ZenCleanz ONE, a one-day colon and intestinal cleanse, or ZenCleanz, a seven-day full-body detox packed with three-year fermented enzymes used by health practitioners worldwide.
Many of my clients in my personally tailored transformation program feel lighter, more energized, and emotionally freer after detoxing because removing physical blockages also releases emotional and energetic stagnation.
Nourish your gut for healthy skin
Once the gut has been cleansed and reset, it is primed for deep nourishment. Focus on warming, nutrient-dense foods that are easy to digest, such as soups, stews, and fermented foods like miso or kimchi. Cutting back on processed foods, sugar, and dairy will help reduce inflammation in both the gut and skin. Strengthen your digestive system by including bone broth, probiotics, and digestive enzymes to help the gut lining regenerate.
Skin and lungs connection (metal)
The Metal Element rules the lungs and skin, meaning they share detox responsibilities. When toxins aren’t expelled through breath (internal detoxification), they exit through the skin (external detoxification), leading to flare-ups, inflammation, and hypersensitivity.
This is why people with eczema and psoriasis often have a history of asthma, allergies, or sinus congestion. Emotionally, Metal governs grief—when unprocessed emotions linger, it can show up as tightness in the chest or chronic skin conditions that seem to "hold on" no matter what you do.
Signs of a metal imbalance
When the Metal Element is out of balance, you may experience persistent eczema, psoriasis, or dry, flaky skin that no amount of moisturizer seems to fix. Your lungs may also struggle, leading to frequent colds, chronic sinus congestion, allergies, or difficulty breathing deeply. If you have a history of asthma, these symptoms may feel even more pronounced during seasonal changes. Beyond the physical, this imbalance can also show up emotionally—you may find yourself holding onto past grief, struggling with perfectionism, or feeling emotionally "blocked" and unable to express yourself freely.
In TCM, Qi (vital energy) must flow smoothly for the body to remain in balance. When one experiences asthma, Qi is said to contract and stagnate in the lungs, restricting airflow and creating a sensation of tightness or breathlessness. Similarly, in depression, Qi often becomes constrained, leading to emotional heaviness, lack of motivation, and even physical fatigue. A free-flowing Qi allows the body's systems—including the lungs and skin—to function optimally, supporting detoxification, immune health, and emotional well-being. This is why ensuring the smooth movement of Qi through breathwork, movement, and emotional release is a key principle in TCM for preventing and addressing illness.
Restore balance for healthy skin & lungs
To bring balance back to the Metal Element, start by supporting your breath. Deep, intentional breathing—such as making Medical Qigong Lung Healing Sounds, "Sssssss," whilst placing your hands on your lungs—helps to clear toxins and strengthen the lungs. As you exhale, visualize releasing any heaviness, darkness, or stagnant emotions that weigh you down, allowing negativity and energy that no longer serve you to dissolve with each breath, making space for renewal, clarity, and vitality.
Circulation, heat & skin health (fire)
In TCM, the Fire Element governs the Heart and Small Intestine, influencing blood circulation, body temperature, and emotions. Healthy circulation keeps skin radiant, smooth, and well-nourished. When Fire is out of balance, it leads to inflammation, sluggish healing, or poor skin vitality.
Signs of a Fire Element Imbalance in Skin Health:
Excess Fire → Red, flushed skin, rosacea, acne, excessive sweating, or burning sensations
Deficient Fire → Pale, dull complexion, slow wound healing, cold hands and feet, poor circulation
Fire excess: Heat-driven inflammation
Too much Fire creates internal heat, triggering redness, irritation, and breakouts. This is common in acne, rosacea, psoriasis, and eczema flare-ups. Spicy, fried, and processed foods fuel Fire, worsening symptoms. Stress and emotional overwhelm cause Fire to rise, making skin more reactive.
Fire deficiency: Poor circulation & sluggish healing
Low Fire weakens circulation, leading to:
• Dull, lifeless skin lacking blood flow
• Slow healing, bruising easily, and increased scarring
• Cold hands, feet, and sluggish metabolism
Without enough Fire, the Heart struggles to circulate warmth and vitality, leaving skin undernourished. Emotionally, Fire deficiency can cause mental fatigue, emotional disconnect, and lack of joy, further slowing healing.
Balancing fire for healthy skin
To cool excess Fire, eat hydrating foods like cucumbers, leafy greens, and aloe vera while reducing spicy, fried, and processed foods.
For Fire deficiency, include warming foods like ginger, cinnamon, and ginseng to boost circulation and skin renewal.
Since Fire governs emotions, balance is key. Heart-focused breathwork, joyful movement, and self-care help regulate Fire energy, reducing stress-related inflammation and boosting healing.
Itching: A sign of internal imbalance (wood)
In TCM, itching is closely linked to the Wood Element, which governs the Liver and its role in detoxification. Itching is often caused by Wind, an imbalance associated with excess heat, blood deficiency, or liver disharmony. Wind moves suddenly and unpredictably—just like itching that flares up randomly.
Wind + Heat = Red, inflamed, intensely itchy rashes (common in eczema & psoriasis)
Blood Deficiency = Dry, irritated, persistent itching
Liver Heat = Internal toxins surfacing through the skin
Emotionally, the Wood Element is associated with anger and frustration, which can intensify when skin issues persist without healing. This emotional tension can, in turn, fuel Liver Heat and stagnation, creating a self-perpetuating cycle where stress worsens inflammation, and inflammation worsens stress.
Instead of simply suppressing the itch, TCM focuses on cooling heat, nourishing blood, and strengthening detox pathways for lasting relief—both physically and emotionally.
Stress, inflammation & slow healing (water)
The Water Element (Kidneys & Bladder) controls hydration, stress response, and longevity. When Kidney Qi is depleted due to chronic stress, fear, or exhaustion, the body's ability to regulate inflammation and heal weakens—leading to slow skin repair, persistent flare-ups, and premature aging.
Signs of a Water Element Imbalance
Chronic fatigue and low energy
Slow wound healing and persistent inflammation
Anxiety, fear, or emotional depletion
Cold hands, feet, or frequent urination
To restore balance, prioritize deep rest, hydration, and Kidney-supporting foods like black beans, seaweed, and walnuts.
Unlocking healing through vibrational medicine
Incorporating vibrational healing tools like sound therapy and electromagnetic frequency technology (PEMF therapy) can reduce stress, restore balance, and accelerate skin repair. Rooted in scientific research, they work by stimulating cellular regeneration and deep tissue healing without invasive treatments.
I’ve personally seen great results using these methods with Qi Coil and Plant Essences on my clients to support deep relaxation, inflammation reduction, and faster healing. Whether through soothing sound frequencies or electromagnetic healing fields, vibrational medicine offers a gentle yet effective way to optimize well-being.
Your body is sending signals—will you answer?
Rather than silencing symptoms, tune into the messages your skin, digestion, and breath are revealing—each discomfort is a clue, guiding you toward true healing from the inside out.
A great place to start is by cleansing the gut, as digestion is the foundation of skin and overall health. The ZenCleanz Detox Kits, packed with 3-year fermented enzymes, help flush out toxins, reset digestion, and support clearer skin.
Get 5% off your ZenCleanz gut detox → [Use Code: CONNIENG] ZenCleanz | Whole Body Detox & Rejuvenation System/Plant-Based Enzymes
For deeper energy alignment, I recommend vibrational healing tools like Qi Coils and Qi Life quantum devices, which use frequencies to reduce stress, restore balance, and accelerate self-healing.
Get 5% off Qi Coil & Vibrational Healing Tools → [Use Code: CONNIENG] https://qilifestore.com/?ref=6607870
Book a FREE 1-1 Skin Healing Session today! Click here
Let’s heal from the inside out and reclaim your glow—together.
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Read more from Connie Ng
Connie Ng, Holistic Health Coach and Multi-Disciplined Holistic Practitioner
Connie Ng is a Holistic Health Coach and Multi-Disciplined Holistic Practitioner specializing in mind-body healing for chronic respiratory, gut, and skin conditions. Having overcome her own struggles with allergies, eczema, and sinusitis, she blends ancient wisdom with modern vibrational medicine—using Five Elements principles, plant essences, and advanced healing tools like PEMF and Rife Frequencies. Through her transformative approach, she helps clients release emotional blockages, restore energetic balance, and unlock the body’s natural healing potential.
References:
Manual of Dermatology in Chinese Medicine, Shen De-Hui (Author), Wu Xiu-Fen (Author), Nissi Wang (Author)
Zhao Bing Nan Handbook on TCM Treatment of Skin Diseases, Zhao Bing Nan
Uncovering the Root Cause: How Chinese Medicine Identifies Imbalances in Skin Diseases , Joseph Alban, L.Ac.
Chinese medicine as comprehensive therapy for psoriasis: A case report , Lingjuan Liu, Miao Li , Minhua Hu, Zhilin Ge, Xiulan Dong
Understanding Itchy and Dry Skin from a TCM Perspective, Tony Tang Yuqi
The 5 energetic aspects that affect the skin from a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) perspective, Chey Birch
Psoriasis: Facts, Statistics, and You, Jen Thomas
Eczema Can Affect Us All, but Some More Than Others, Alexandra Benisek
