This meridian runs along the sides of the nose, beneath the eyes, and down the jawline. It is your primary ‘intake’ system, responsible for how you digest your food and the overall health of the stomach and spleen. It is the guardian of your complexion. When balanced, your skin looks clear and vibrant. When stuck, it manifests as puffiness.
TCM ISN’T ANCIENT HISTORY
TCM is a toolkit for the modern soul, a way to get back into balance and keep your energy moving. This 3,000-year-old wisdom system is designed to keep your internal energy (Qi) moving, because when your energy flows, you feel balanced, warm-hearted, and ready for adventure.
To understand how we approach TCM wellness at our spa hotel in Zermatt, there are two important concepts to know: Yin/Yang and Qi (Chi).
1. BEAUTIFUL BALANCE: YIN & YANG
In the mountains, we see Yin and Yang everywhere: the stillness of the morning (Yin) and the energy of the climb (Yang). Yin and Yang represent the dual nature of everything in the universe. TCM teaches us that health is simply the harmony between these two forces.
Yin is your FLOW down state. It’s coolness, rest, and deep hydration. When you’re low on Yin, you might feel restless, overheated, or find it hard to switch off at night.
Yang is your FLOW up state. It’s warmth, activity, and vitality. A Yang deficiency often looks like a bright white complexion, cold limbs, and a general lack of that mountain-climbing spark.
TCM aims to maintain and restore the Yin/Yang balance through various treatments, including diverse forms of herbal medicine.
For example, at SCHLOSS Zermatt we use Herbar’s Skin Pearls to bridge the gap. Ingredients like Reishi and Tremella act as a deep drink of water for your Yin, while Yang-boosting Eleuthero gives your skin the resilience to handle the Zermatt elements. It’s balance, bottled.
2. MEET YOUR QI
You know that feeling when everything just clicks? When the air is crisp, your legs feel strong, and your mind is clear? In TCM, that’s Qi (pronounced ‘chee’) and it’s your vital life force.
Energy should move through your body like a clear mountain stream. When Qi gets blocked, we feel it as tension, fatigue, or a dull complexion. To get things moving along the meridians, TCM suggests acupuncture, herbal medicine, and Qigong exercises (at our yoga hotel in Zermatt, we focus on these ‘unblocking’ exercises to help you return to your natural state).
THE SIX MAIN MERIDIANS
In TCM, meridians are functional circuits that connect your organs, your nervous system, and your emotions. Think of them as the ‘highways’ of your vitality. When they are clear, life feels easy-going. When they are blocked, we feel out of sync.
To clear these pathways, our wellness centre in Zermatt uses Herbar’s signature Gua-shroom. It’s our go-to tool for a facial workout that does more than just sculpt. By stimulating specific points on the face, we can communicate with the six main meridians that pass through it…
1. STOMACH MERIDIAN: THE SYSTEM OF NOURISHMENT
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2. LARGE INTESTINE MERIDIAN: THE SYSTEM OF RELEASE
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Starting at the corner of the mouth, this is the body’s ‘spring clean’ system. It’s all about detoxification. When we hold onto stress or toxins, it can manifest as dryness or a tired-looking complexion. Clearing this path can brighten your appearance and leave your skin feeling refreshed and even.
3. SMALL INTESTINE MERIDIAN: THE SYSTEM OF DISCERNMENT
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This meridian helps the body absorb nutrients and sort the pure from the impure. It’s about keeping what’s good for you and discarding the rest. Imbalances in the small intestine meridian can show up as redness or tightness in the cheeks and jaw. By smoothing the energy here, we help the face release the physical grip of emotional stress, helping you return to a softer, more easy-going expression.
4. BLADDER MERIDIAN: THE SYSTEM OF FLUIDITY
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This is the body’s longest ‘reservoir’ - regulating fluids and the nervous system. It’s heavily involved in how we process stress and how deeply we sleep, with imbalances resulting in tension headaches, stress-related issues, or eye problems. When the bladder meridian operates freely, tension in the forehead melts away. It is the key to that deep, restorative rest you can find at our luxury hotel in Zermatt.
5. GALLBLADDER MERIDIAN: THE SYSTEM OF PERSPECTIVE
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The meridian of vision and decision-making. The gallbladder meridian is closely tied to the health of the delicate skin around the eyes. If you’re feeling stuck or overwhelmed, tension often settles around your temples. Stimulating this meridian can improve circulation around the eyes, helping those dark circles of fatigue fade into the background.
6. TRIPLE BURNER: THE SYSTEM OF ADAPTABILITY
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Also known as the San Jiao, this is your body’s internal thermostat, coordinating how energy and heat are distributed. When the triple burner is in harmony, your body adapts easily to its surroundings. This balance results in a complexion that looks vibrant, calm, and naturally glowing.
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