Chinese Medicine for Eczema and Skin Conditions - does it help?
Eczema can be both physically uncomfortable and emotionally distressing, not to mention looking red, raw and painful. While modern medicine offers effective treatments, many individuals are turning to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for a holistic approach to skin repair and recovery. In this blog post, we'll explore the benefits of Chinese Medicine, including acupuncture and Chinese herbs, in managing eczema and other skin conditions, supported by scientific research.
Understanding Eczema, Psoriasis and Acne
- Eczema (or Atopic Dermatitis) is a chronic skin condition presenting with inflammation, dryness, itching, and redness. It can be triggered by genetic, environmental, or immune system factors.
- Psoriasis is an autoimmune disorder that leads to the rapid production of skin cells, resulting in red, scaly patches. Often the welts in psoriasis can be larger than eczema.
- Acne is a common skin condition involving the clogging of hair follicles with oil and dead skin cells, often leading to pimples, blackheads, and whiteheads. It can occur in teens and adults - check out our Teen Acne Project here!
The Holistic Approach of Chinese Medicine
Chinese Medicine sees the body as a connected system, with the skin often revealing underlying imbalances. A fully-qualified TCM practitioner will assess the nature of your skin condition—dry, hot, burning, itchy, or weeping—and explore triggers and reliefs like diet, lifestyle, stress, sleep, and water intake. This holistic approach helps us understand the full picture of what’s happening in your body.
I ask my clients: "If a plant has spots on it's leaves, do we only apply treatment in sprays or topicals? No we look at the soil, the water and the nutrients going in through the roots." This is how I look at skin conditions using TCM's holistic approach.
Some commonly prescribed Chinese Herbs for Skin Health
- Dang Gui (Chinese Angelica): Known for its blood-nourishing properties, Dang Gui is often used to nourish the skin, increase healthy moisture and address conditions like dry eczema.
- Huang Qin (Scutellaria Baicalensis): This herb has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, making it beneficial for acne and other red or inflammatory skin conditions.
- Bai Xian Pi (Dictamnus): Bai Xian Pi is commonly used in TCM to clear heat and toxins from the skin, making it useful for conditions like psoriasis.
Working alongside medical skin treatment
Chinese Medicine can complement medical treatments for skin conditions. Consulting a fully qualified and registered TCM practitioner can help develop a tailored plan for individual needs. Remember Herbal medicine is more likely to work and regain clear, healthy skin when its prescribed by a professional herbalist, as opposed to over-the-counter or fad products.
You should ask your doctor to clarify your meds and pass this information onto your TCM Practitioner to avoid meds and herb drug interactions. A professional herbalist, will always consider your medications and check for contraindications before prescribing you herbs. We all want to avoid adverse reactions.
If your doctor advises against herbs because you're taking certain medications, Acupuncture is another option that won't interact with them.
How Acupuncture may help Eczema
Reducing Inflammation
Acupuncture can help modulate the immune system and decrease inflammation, providing relief for conditions like eczema and psoriasis. (Reference: Ni et al., 2017, Efficacy of Acupuncture in Itch: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Clinical Randomised Controlled Trials.)
Balancing Hormones
- Acupuncture can stimulate the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis, helping to regulate hormonal imbalances that may contribute to skin issues such as Teen Acne or Adult Acne.
Alleviating Itching
- By triggering the release of endorphins, acupuncture can provide natural relief from itching and pain associated with skin conditions.
Chinese Medicine offers a holistic approach to managing eczema, psoriasis and Teen acne. By addressing the underlying causes, TCM aims to restore clear, healthy skin. If you're dealing with persistent or stubborn skin issues, consider making an appointment for Chinese Herbal consult or Acupuncture. Working from the inside-out will always promote lasting and sustainable outcomes.
If you're on Sydney's Northern Beaches, Email me here and we can work together to help you feel more comfortable and happy in your skin.
Want to read more about Skin Health? Try these posts:
The Teen Acne Project - join our herbal medicine program to healthy clear skin!
