The lips are one of the most important barometers of our physical and mental health, a wellness expert has revealed.

While they are more associated with beauty, Los Angeles based alternative health practitioner Hari Simran Khalsa said the lips act as a 'doorway' to our body's inner workings.

In a column for Australian beauty brand Kora Organics, the healer said the upper and lower lips are reflections of different parts 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,' she said.

While Hari Simran said it takes experience to master lip readings, there are a handful of easy-to-spot signposts she gave to those wanting to try it for the first time.

Dry or chapped lips 

The expert said dryness on the lips can provide an insight into the same lack of moisture in the rest of the body.

She added this can be caused by climate, dehydration, tension, anxiety or fear.

Westernised medicine, meanwhile, says chapped lips can be a sign of an allergy - a result of anything from a doctor's glove to lipstick or peanuts. 

Cracked lips

Lesions in the lips are often diagnosed as a sign of anaemia due to a lack of iron in the body.

Ayurvedic medecine, meanwhile, teaches cracks in the lips can be a result of heartache, worry, dryness in the body or feeling cold.

Discoloration or faded colour in the lips

Hari Simran says discoloured lips can indicate you're lacking proper circulation throughout the body.

This opinion is mirrored in Western medicine, which says when the amount of oxygen carried in the blood drops the lips take on a more bluish hue.

Burning, hot or red lips

Depression is known to show itself through burning lips in modern science.

Psychological imbalance causes a sensory overload in the brain, which also transfers to the lips.

Similarly, Hari Simran says heated emotions such as anger, jealousy, resentment, irritation and a lack of compassionate expression can have the same effect. 

Wrinkles in the upper lip 

The yoga teacher identifies both physical and emotional reasons why you could start developing wrinkles in the upper lip.

While smoking or physical tension could be a cause, so could irritation, worry and fear.

Quivering lips 

Shaking lips are generally believed to be a sign of nervous system issues like muscle spasms, and Hari Simran has an analysis along the same lines.

She says it can be caused by fatigue, a weak nervous system, fear, self-doubt and emotional tension.

Daily Mail