Why I Don’t Paint My Nails
People sometimes notice that I don't paint my nails.
It's not because I don't like having them done. There's actually a very practical reason behind it - your nails can provide useful clues about your health.
As a naturopath, looking at the nails is one of the physical observations I may include as part of a much wider health assessment. So, perhaps unsurprisingly, I've become accustomed to keeping my own nails natural too.
But nail analysis is only a tiny part of what I look at during a naturopathic consultation.
What can your nails tell you?
Your nails are constantly growing, and changes in their appearance can sometimes reflect what's been happening within the body as well as what's happening externally.
During a naturopathic consultation, I may look at characteristics such as the colour, texture, shape, strength, ridges and overall condition of the nails.
Changes in the nails can have many different causes. Sometimes they may be associated with nutritional status, illness, skin conditions or other health factors; at other times, the explanation may be something much simpler, such as an injury, regular exposure to water or cleaning products, or staining from nail varnish.
That's why I don't use nail analysis to diagnose a health condition on its own. Instead, it's another piece of information to consider alongside everything else.
In naturopathy, nail analysis is a simple observational assessment of the colour, shape, texture, strength and general condition of the fingernails. I consider these observations alongside your symptoms, medical history, diet, digestion, lifestyle and other relevant health information as part of a much wider naturopathic assessment. And that's really what naturopathy is about.
Looking at the whole person
One of the biggest differences with a naturopathic consultation is the amount of information we explore.
You might come to see me because you're experiencing bloating, low energy, digestive problems, skin concerns, hormonal changes or simply because you want to take a closer look at your overall health, but I want to understand what else is happening around those concerns.
During a full naturopathic consultation, we can explore your:
Current symptoms and health concerns
Personal and family medical history
Previous illnesses and surgery
Current medications and supplements
Diet and nutritional intake
Digestion and bowel health
Hydration
Sleep quality
Physical activity
Stress and emotional wellbeing
Hormonal influences
Work and daily routines
Home and environmental exposures
Depending on your individual concerns, I may also incorporate physical observations such as your tongue, nails, posture and other relevant signs. The purpose isn't to find one characteristic and declare it the cause of everything. It's about putting the different pieces together to build a much fuller picture of your health.
What does "root cause" actually mean?
You'll often hear naturopathy described as a "root cause" approach.
For me, this means asking why something may be happening rather than looking at a symptom completely on its own.
If somebody is tired all the time, for example, there may be many things worth exploring. What are they eating? Are they sleeping properly? Are they under significant stress? Are they getting the nutrients they need? How is their digestion? Are there hormonal factors involved? Are they taking medication? Has anything changed recently?
Rather than assuming there is one simple explanation, we look at the different factors that could be contributing to how you feel.
Sometimes further investigation through your GP or another healthcare professional may be appropriate. In other circumstances, laboratory or functional testing may be worth considering. The important thing is that everyone is different.
Your environment matters too
Another area I consider is your environmental load and looking at the substances and exposures you're regularly coming into contact with through everyday life.
Our bodies already have sophisticated systems for processing and eliminating substances, particularly involving the liver, kidneys, digestive system and lungs.
Rather than thinking in terms of a quick-fix "detox", I look at ways we can support these normal processes while considering whether there are unnecessary exposures that could realistically be reduced.
Depending on the individual, this might include looking at things such as:
Air pollution and occupational exposures
Household and cleaning products
Cosmetics and personal-care products
Plastics and food packaging
Pesticide exposure
Alcohol intake
Diet and highly processed foods
The home and working environment
This doesn't mean becoming frightened of every chemical around you or throwing away everything in your bathroom cupboard. It's about looking at the overall picture.
What products are you using regularly? What are you eating and drinking? What does your home and working environment look like? Are there sensible changes that could reduce unnecessary exposure without making your life difficult?
For one person, that might mean reviewing the personal-care or household products they use. For another, it could mean improving ventilation, eating more whole foods, changing how food is stored or reviewing alcohol intake. As with everything else in naturopathy, recommendations should make sense for you.
It's about connecting the dots
This is why my naturopathic consultations are deliberately detailed. I don't just want to know that you're bloated. I want to know when you're bloated, what you eat, how your bowels are functioning, how well you sleep, whether you're stressed, what medications or supplements you're taking, whether anything changed before your symptoms began and what else is happening with your health.
Your nails might contribute one clue. Your tongue might contribute another. Your diet, digestion, sleep, stress, medical history, lifestyle and environment add many more.
None of these things exists in isolation.
What happens after your naturopathic consultation?
Once we've explored your health in detail, I bring that information together to create practical, personalised recommendations. Rather than giving everyone the same generic list of things they "should" be doing, your recommendations are based on your health history, current concerns, lifestyle and individual goals.
Following your consultation, you'll receive a personalised Wellness Protocol which may include recommendations around nutrition, lifestyle, healthy habits, digestive support and other areas relevant to you. The aim is to give you a clearer understanding of your health and a practical plan that you can realistically incorporate into everyday life. And sometimes the most useful changes are surprisingly simple.
So, why don't I paint my nails? Because after years of working in naturopathy, I've become used to looking at the body for information – and sometimes the smallest details can encourage us to ask much bigger questions. Your health is more than one symptom. Naturopathy helps us look at the bigger picture.
Frequently asked questions
What can a naturopath tell from your nails?
The appearance of your nails can sometimes provide useful clues that can be considered as part of a wider health assessment. I may look at features such as colour, texture, shape, strength and ridges. Nail changes can have many different causes, however, so nail analysis isn't used on its own to diagnose a health condition.
What happens during a naturopathic consultation?
My naturopathic consultations take a whole-person approach. We explore your current health concerns alongside areas such as your medical and family history, diet, digestion, sleep, stress, lifestyle, medications and environmental influences. Depending on your individual concerns, I may also include physical observations such as the tongue, nails and posture.
Do I need to remove nail varnish for a naturopathic consultation?
Natural, unpainted nails make it easier to observe characteristics such as nail colour and surface appearance. If nail observation is going to be relevant to your consultation, I can advise you beforehand if I'd prefer you to arrive without nail varnish.
Where are your naturopathic consultations held?
My naturopathic consultations are available at Naturally Healthy Colonics in Littleport, Cambridgeshire, welcoming clients from Ely, Cambridge, Newmarket, Bury St Edmunds, Downham Market and surrounding areas across Cambridgeshire, Suffolk and Norfolk.
If you're experiencing ongoing digestive problems, low energy or other health concerns and feel that you'd benefit from taking a more detailed look at the different factors that could be influencing your wellbeing, a naturopathic consultation gives us the time to do exactly that.
About Caroline
Caroline is a qualified Naturopath, Nutritional Therapist and ARCH Registered Colon Hydrotherapist at Naturally Healthy Colonics in Littleport, Cambridgeshire. She holds a BSc (Hons) in Natural Sciences, a Diploma in Nutritional Therapy and a Diploma in Naturopathy from the College of Naturopathic Medicine (CNM), London, and has been practising since 2010.