Ayurvedic Nail Analysis: What do your

nails say about your health?

 NOVEMBER 16, 2015
 12 COMMENTS
 AYURVEDA AND COMMON CONDITIONS, BLOG, HEALTHY LIVING

There are several physical diagnostic tools

that are commonly practiced in Ayurveda and one of the main ones includes nail
assessment (called Nakha Pariksha). Just as the tongue, hair, skin, and other
external attributes are very telling of one’s internal health, the nails can be a strong
indicator of possible issues occurring in the body as well.
According to Ayurvedic medicine, the nails are a by-product of the bones (asthi
dhatu) and, therefore, the health of the bones can be reflected in the health of your
nails. In this sense, thin, brittle nails may correlate to thin, brittle bones. 
Areas of imbalance that can be seen through nail analysis include:
 Bone health
 Malabsorption
 Lung issues
 Heart issues
 Metabolic conditions
 Inflammation
 Parasites
 Psoriasis and other skin disorders
 Autoimmune conditions such as Lupus (SLE) and alopecia
 Thyroid issues (hypo or hyper)
 Digestive issues
 GI tract issues
 Liver issues
 Vata, Pitta or Kapha disorder
 Vata, Pitta, or Kapha constitution (not by itself, but used as a helpful indicator)
In Ayurveda, everything we do and every trait we carry is a piece of the doshic
puzzle of your natural born constitution (known as Prakriti). Therefore, even our nails
can give us some indication which dosha is predominant in our constitution and,
also, which dosha is currently out of balance. 
Here is a brief chart that gives the typical findings of the nail as it relates to the different
doshas.
Nail Abnormalities and What They Mean
Longitudinal Lines on the Nails

These long lines are all too common for many individuals and typically indicate a
clear sign of malabsorption of nutrients in the body. They typically cover the entire
nail, from the bottom to the top. Very mild lines that are hard to see without the
proper light show a very mild case. The deeper the lines, however, the stronger the
deficiency and, therefore, the more important it will be to discover the cause and
remove it.   
Malabsorption can be related to poor digestion, excessive toxins in the system,
inflammation in the GI tract, a Vata digestive disorder (Vishama Agni), a Kapha
digestive disorder (Manda Agni), a Pitta digestive disorder (Tikshna Agni), or a poor
diet in general. Since this is only one piece of the puzzle, other analysis must be
further completed in order to establish the actual cause. 
Read more on the causes, symptoms, and treatment of Malabsorption here.
Horizontal Lines or Transverse Groove

According to Ayurveda, a deep line that runs

horizontal to the nail is an indication of a strong illness, infection, or depletion that
occurred during the time that specific part of the nail was growing. It also can mean
an issue of the metabolism, showing vitiated digestion at the time of growth. If there
are multiple horizontal lines on the nail, this indicates a reoccurring issue and most
likely is showing a chronic condition (whether metabolic, infection, depletion, etc.) In
some cases, these multiple lines can relate to the involvement of an under-active
thyroid.      
Absence of Moons (Lunula)

In Ayurveda, the lunula of the nail represents

one’s Agni or fire in the body. If you look at your nails and notice there are no moons
(lunula) or extremely small moons, this is a sign that there is weak digestion or fire in
the system. Weak digestion is an indication of poor metabolism and a potential build-
up of toxins in the system. It also is a common root cause for most disease and
disorder and should be treated immediately.  Click here for the top 10 Food Rules for
increasing the digestive fire!      
Large Moons (Lunula)

If you have nice, large moons on your thumb to the

pinky finger, this represents a strong healthy fire in the system. Ideally, one should
have a large moon on the thumb, as they remain strong, but get a bit smaller with
each respective finger.  However, if they seem larger than “normal” this may show an
overactive fire in the body which can lead to Pitta issues such as loose stools,
hyperacidity, inflammation, and malabsorption of nutrients. This simply means there
is too much fire in the system and cooling practices and diet should be administered.
***Please note that if the whole finger is white, except for a small crescent at the top,
this is a different issue typically caused by liver disease.
Red, Puffy Nail Fold (area of skin that borders the
nail)

If you notice a red, puffy border along the

nail fold, this is typically a sign of parasites or infection in the system. Parasites are
prevalent in many individuals and have multiple causes. A few common causes are
traveling or living in a developing country, drinking from rivers or lakes, not washing
hands properly after elimination, or through a transfer from our furry little friends.
Parasites are efficiently treated in Ayurveda through proper diet and herbs. ***A less
common cause of the red nail fold can be through Lupus or another connective
tissue disorder.
White Spots
 White spots on the nails are very common
among a large number of individuals. Of course, if this is just a one-time occurrence,
it may just be due to a trauma to that part of the nail. Often, however, this is seen on
more than one nail and is a recurring issue. If you are experiencing the latter, this
simply means that there is a calcium, zinc, and/or magnesium deficiency in the body.
This may be due to a poor diet or could be the result of malabsorption.
Malabsorption is a lack of ability for your body to absorb specific nutrients and has a
wide range of causes. Some of these include poor digestion, inflammation in the GI
tract, excessive toxins in the colon, intake of allergenic foods, chronic loose stools, or
parasitical infection. Once this issue is removed, the white spots should stop
appearing after the nail has grown out.
Pitting of the Nail

Nail pitting is typically seen in individuals that either have

psoriasis, eczema, or another inflammatory skin disorder. It also can occur when an
individual has alopecia, Lupus (SLE), or another connective tissue disorder. If you
see pitting and do not currently have any of these conditions, this may be a sign that
you are at risk for one of these disorders. Therefore, other areas should be
investigated to see if there are any other warning symptoms or signs occurring.  Skin
disorders often have an origin in increased Pitta (aka heat).  Click here to discover
ways to reduce the Pitta in your system!
Nail Biting
 Nail biting is a telling sign of excessive Vata in the
system. This is typically a symptom of high anxiety, worry, or fear—all of which are
Vata imbalances in the Nervous System. This can be a chronic or acute issue,
depending on the individual. Typically, one with a nail-biting habit does it without
awareness and rarely has nails that grow beyond the nail bed. Whether an old habit
or new, this is a clear sign of high Vata and should be treated accordingly.  Click
here for simple tips on how to balance Vata!
Yellow Nails

Yellow nails can mean a few different issues

and may have a wide array of severeness. One potential issue is a fungal infection.
This is more common as you grow older, although any individual can be at risk. A
fungal infection can affect one nail selectively or multiple nails at once. Fungal
infections can be due to genetics, lowered immunity, liver issues, toxins in the
system, or excessive use of nail polish (or a combination of these). Other common
causes of yellow nails include jaundice or other liver issues, tuberculosis, lung
infections, or certain side effects from medications.
Pale Nails

Pale nails typically show anemia (low red blood

cells) in the system. This can be due to excessive blood loss (heavy menstruation or
injury); an iron, folate or B12 deficiency; ulcer; parasitical infection; certain
medications (including NSAIDS); malabsorption; chronic diseases such as cancer,
rheumatoid arthritis or HIV; or many different autoimmune conditions. Anemia can
cause fatigue, weakness, poor circulation, frequent bruising, shortness of breath,
irregular heartbeat, and cognitive issues. If anemia is suspected, one can look to see
if other symptoms are involved (or not), as well as examining the tongue and the pink
under the eye (when stretched down) to see if these areas are also pale.
Bluish-Purple Nails

If you see a bluish-purple tint to your nails, this

may signify that there is a lack of oxygen in the system causing hypoxia or acute
cyanosis (lack of oxygen to the tissues). This can be caused by a chronic issue or a
severe acute issue. There may be a pulmonary infection such as chronic bronchitis
or a long-term condition such as asthma or emphysema.  A great way to increase
your lung energy is with regular practice of Alternate Nostril Breathing (aka Nadi
Shodhana).  Click here for full instructions on this powerful breathing technique.
Nail Separation (Onycholysis)

Onycholysis is when the nail begins to

separate from the nail bed causing a white discoloration. If the white discoloration
becomes yellow, it is most likely that the nail has obtained a secondary infection due
to the separation. Onycholysis is commonly caused by skin disorders such as
psoriasis, eczema, and dermatitis but also can stem from trauma, excessive
manicures, hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, primary fungal infection, poor
circulation, or inflammatory arthritis.
Clubbed Nails
 Although not as common as some other nail
abnormalities, clubbed nails are often prevalent with heart or pulmonary issues. They
may occur in tuberculosis, pneumonia, chronic bronchitis, congestive heart failure, or
mitral stenosis. No matter the cause, clubbing of the fingers typically is a sign that
the peripheral tissues are not getting a sufficient amount of oxygen and there is
low Prana (aka life-force) in the body.  Click here to discover simple ways to increase
the Prana in your system!
Spooned Nails (Koilonychia)

A “spooned” nail is a nail that is flat or

concave at the surface, scooping in the center. This can range in severity, with the
worst cases causing a splitting of the nail down the middle. The most common cause
for the spooned nail is iron deficiency anemia (also see “pale nails” above). Other
potential causes are autoimmune issues such as Lupus (SLE), psoriasis, lichen
planus or Raynaud’s Disease, genetic disorders, vascular disease, or trauma.

13 Health Problems the Moons

on Your Nails Warn You About
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If you look at your fingernails, you'll notice light areas at the base. These are moons,
or lunulae. Their change in color, shape, or size can indicate not only the presence
of a disease but also the predisposition to it. Such diagnostics help you notice the
problem in time and take action.

Bright Side learned how to run diagnostics of your health with the help of lunulae.
When a lunula changes on one finger
 A lunula on the little finger, as a rule, should be almost unnoticeable or
completely absent. It's connected with the work of the kidneys, small intestine,
and heart. An increased lunula can be a result of high blood pressure.
 The ring finger is responsible for the work of the reproductive and lymphatic
systems. A barely visible lunula can hint at digestion problems.
 The middle finger is connected with the work of the brain and cardiovascular
system. The absence of a lunula can indicate vascular problems and high blood
pressure.
 The index finger lunula can disappear or get considerably smaller because of
improper function of the intestine, pancreas, or chronic E.N.T. diseases.
 The lunula on the thumb reflects the work of the lungs and spleen. It's the most
visible of all and should take up no more than 25% of the whole fingernail. It can
get significantly smaller in smokers or bigger when you have arterial hypertension.
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 Overly large lunulae

Lunulae are considered large when they occupy a third (or more) of the fingernail.
They indicate problems with the cardiovascular system, heartbeat disruption, and
low blood pressure.
Large lunulae can be often found in athletes and people whose occupation is
connected with physical activity. If a person isn't involved in sports, enlarged lunulae
may appear because of a high level of stress.

Small lunulae
Small lunulae, which can be barely seen behind the cuticle, indicate low blood
pressure and circulatory disorders. This can be a sign of a weak immune system,
poor metabolism, or lack of iron and B12.

If the lunulae are noticeably separated from the rest of the nail plate with transverse
lines, it indicates problems with blood sugar levels and the possible development of
diabetes.
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 Lunulae aren't visible at all

Don't panic if you haven't found lunulae on your own or your child's nails. They're
often not visible on children's nails and appear over time. In some people, they don't
appear at all due to physiological specificities of the nail structure.

However, a sudden disappearance of lunulae is perceived by modern medicine as

one of the symptoms of a circulatory disorder. This study showed that the absence of
lunulae is connected with thyroid gland disorders and a deficit of vitamin B12 and
iron.

Change in lunulae color

1. Gray lunulae indicate severe fatigue, digestion disorders, and possible difficulties in
nutrient absorption.
2. White lunulae are healthy and natural. The moons should be several shades lighter
than the skin.
3. Purple lunulae are a sign of poor blood circulation and a lack of oxygen in the
organs and tissues. Dizziness and headaches may often occur.
4. Pink (red) lunulae may indicate low physical activity and lung problems.
5. Black lunulae are an uncommon and extremely dangerous sign. As a rule, this is a
symptom of heavy metal poisoning.