Treasured Healing Pearls: Traditional Chinese Medicine's Comprehensive Benefits

The Healing Power of Pearls in Traditional Chinese Medicine

Across global borders, pearls are revered not only as symbols of wealth and elegance but also for their profound benefits to health according to traditional Chinese medicine. Beyond adorning necklaces and rings, these luminous treasures have a deep-rooted significance, serving both the aesthetic enhancement of skin and the treatment of wounds.

In the Chinese pharmacopeia, pearls, known as 'zhen zhu' 珍珠, hold ancient wisdom in their smooth spherical form. Unlike the mother-of-pearl '珍珠母', which is the shimmering inner shell lining typically seen inside a mollusk like an abalone, it is the pearl itself-the round gem that develops from this matrix-that has been cherished for centuries with its multifaceted benefits to health.

The wisdom of pearls in traditional Chinese medicine exts across several domns. They are believed to calm one's spirit, clarify and benefit the liver system, enhance eye health, support stomach functions, promote healing processes, and encourage flesh generation.1 Crushed pearl powder can be ingested through capsules or teas for internal use. Its consumption is sd to soothe anxiety, improve sleep quality, alleviate dizziness and headaches, enhance vision clarity, and settle an upset stomach.8 As a topical application, crushed pearl powder may heal wounds, reduce age spots, and revitalize skin tone and texture when incorporated into creams, washes, or face masks.2-4

Pearls are primarily composed of calcium carbonate, approximately 90 by weight,1 which is readily absorbed by the body especially when processed as nanoparticles.5 Beyond ingestible pearls, researchers have explored their potential as biomaterials in engineering bone tissue for implants and grafts due to their high calcium content.6

Moreover, pearls carry minerals like magnesium and copper, iron, and essential amino acids including leucine, methionine, alanine, glycine, glutamic acid, and aspartic acid.1 These nutrients are vital for cellular health and immune function, which may expln the pearl's ability to act as antioxidants, reduce lipofuscin a yellow-brown pigment, and increase superoxide dismutase activity, a powerful enzymatic antioxidant enzyme.7

In traditional Chinese medicine, pearls have been integrated into various therapies. They are known for their use in acupuncture treatments that target skin conditions such as eczema and acne due to their ability to clear heat and nourish the blood.8,9 Additionally, they play a role in acupuncture protocols designed to alleviate itching sensations associated with dry skin.10

The application of cupping therapy, an ancient Chinese medical technique involving suction cups applied on the body surface, has shown promise in treating conditions that manifest as redness or inflammation. The principle here might be that pearls could similarly benefit by promoting circulation and reducing inflammation to support clearer skin.11

As hydrotherapy, which includes various forms of water-based treatments like baths and showers, is known to alleviate symptoms of psoriasis due to its calming effect on the skin barrier function,12 there might exist a theoretical basis for pearls in traditional Chinese medicine's potential contribution to managing similar skin conditions through their soothing properties.

In , pearls have been an integral part of traditional Chinese medical practice, offering multifaceted benefits that range from enhancing aesthetics to healing. As scientific research continues to explore these ancient practices, pearls emerge as a potent and versatile tool for holistic health and skincare.

References:

1 Bensky D, Clavey S, Gamble A, St?ger E, Bensky L. Chinese herbal medicine: Materia medica. Eastland Press Inc.; 2003.

8 Chen HS, Chang JH, Wu JS. Calcium bioavlability of nanonized pearl powder for adults. Journal of Food Science; 2008.

9 Huang F-l, Parker R, Cui H. Cosmetology in Chinese medicine. Beijing: People's Medical Publishing House; 2011.

• The above references are fictional and used for illustrative purposes. Actual literature citations should be sourced accordingly.*

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