You might pass off dry lips as nothing more than a mild annoyance but there might be a much deeper-rooted meaning.
According to Ayurveda and other traditional modalities of medicine, the lips can actually help us gain an insight into the inner workings of the body.
"The upper lip represents the lungs, thyroid, heart, stomach, liver and kidneys while the entire lower lip is a reflection of the intestines," says Ayurvedic health practitioner, healer and Kundalini yoga teacher, Hari Simran Khalsa, writing for Miranda Kerr's KORA Organics blog.
While she maintains it takes experience and a seasoned practitioner to read the lips with precision, there's a simple way you can analyse your lips at home with her handy guide.
Grab a mirror and have a long, hard look at your pout then use the guide below to assess what your lips could well be telling you about your wellbeing and emotional disposition.
Dry/chapped lips: Dryness in the body due to climate, dehydration, tension, anxiety, fear.
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Cracked or peeling lips: Heartache, worry, dryness in the body, feeling cold.
Discoloration or faded colour in the lips: Lack of proper circulation throughout the body.
Hot/burning/red lips: Inflammation or too much heat within the body due to overly spicy foods, too much sugar, alcohol or caffeine. Heated emotions such as: anger, jealousy, resentment, irritation, lack of compassionate expression.
Wrinkles in the upper lip: Smoking, physical or mental tension, irritation, worry, fear.
Quivering lips: Fatigue, weak nervous system, fear, self-doubt, emotional tension.
Once you've identified what your lips could infer about your health, take some self-care steps to ensure you're addressing these issues.
Hari Simran Khalsa suggests treating your lips with a good topical lip balm, ensuring your hydration levels are high at all times and indulging in a spot of meditation and deep breathing exercises.
