Most of us are aware that if we expose ourselves to harsh external elements like excessive sunshine, excessive wind, dirt or pollution, our skin will age more quickly. But what goes on internally may play an even more dramatic role in how we age and how well we maintain or enhance our beauty. Our outer beauty and youthful radiance is a reflection of the health, balance and vitality of our inner organs.

A good diet is the first step in building beauty from within. Foods that result in free radical buildup dissolve the beauty of our youth prematurely. A diet high in sugar and saturated fat produces more wrinkles and expedites the aging process. Foods high in antioxidants, like berries, broccoli, bell peppers, green vegetables, squash, and tomatoes can help reduce the amount of wrinkles on the skin.

Nurturing our lungs will help make the skin beautiful. And the organs that cleanse the body have a profound influence upon our outer appearance. Our liver, kidneys, colon and lymphatic system all play key roles in eliminating toxins from our body, and also influence the repair mechanisms critical to maintaining our beauty. Poor kidney function will result in a dark sallow appearance under the eyes. The kidneys also play a key role in the fullness and luster of our hair, and the brightness of our eyes. Liver dysfunction will result in tension that leads to deep wrinkles, discoloration and blemishes. If the colon in polluted or imbalanced, the skin will age quickly. And of course, if our circulation is poor, the skin will not receive the nourishment it needs and will age more quickly than necessary. And beauty is not seen only n the face. Our posture is dependent on Chi, and if we lack Chi we will slump and our muscles will sag. Obesity and cellulite are caused by internal imbalances that are corrected by healthy living. Certain tonic herbs are amazingly effective at protecting your youthful beauty by enhancing inner health at profound levels. Pearl, Schizandra, Lycium, Snow Lotus and Longan are very famous in the Orient for keeping the skin pure, radiant and soft. The orchid Dendribium, when consumed as a tea, has the ability to make skin moist and radiant.

Chronic stress also has a way of damaging your beauty. Try to eliminate or reduce stress. And reduce the effects of stress by taking adaptogenic herbs such as Schizandra, Siberian Ginseng, American Ginseng, and Astragalus. The green tea amino acid L-theanine has the ability to reduce stress reactions in the body while promoting clear thinking.

Covering up your wrinkles and dark eye-rings with makeup or using high-tech cosmetic procedures will be less effective in the long run than establishing radiant health, and thus building your beauty from within.

Written by Ron Teeguarden