Treating Common Skin Conditions with Chinese Herbs
Traditional Chinese medicine has been used for over 3000 years to cure a wide range of health issues. Over the past century, the ancient methods have been increasingly incorporated into the modern wellness industry, as the techniques have been shown to provide strong results across many everyday health problems.
One of the biggest applications has been using Chinese herbs to treat skin conditions that are common in the western world. With more than 15 million Americans suffering from skin problems that are caused by everything from food additives to allergies to environmental conditions, Chinese herbs provide both preventive measures and relief for many of the most common problems.
The Issue with Conventional Treatments for Skin Conditions
When most Americans are suffering from a skin condition, they will typically first visit a pharmacy to use topical creams, ointments or other non-medical treatments. Using external creams may provide short-term relief in the case of some skin conditions, however they do not address the root cause of the issue. This not only prevents the problem from properly being solved, but it can be extremely costly over time.
If the skin conditions persist, then the next step is to visit a dermatologist. On many occasions, they will be prescribed prescription pharmaceuticals or injectable medications, depending on the skin condition. Once again, while these may provide a reactionary treatment that limits the negative effects of the condition, they fail to make the significant changes in the body that can actually cure the patient.
Treating Skin Conditions with Chinese Herbs
The advantage that Chinese herbology offers in its treatment of common skin conditions is that the complex plant materials provide a well-balanced approach that improves the body as a whole, compared to one active ingredient in medication. By correcting the imbalances inside the body that lead to the skin conditions, traditional Chinese medicine works from the inside-out, so that skin does not feel the effects of an internal hormone problem.
Chinese Medicine for Eczema
Traditional Chinese medicine is much more focused on a holistic approach to a healthy body that connects all elements in order to find balance. Eczema is named “skin asthma” in China because there is a strong correlation between those suffering from the skin condition and those who develop asthma.
By noticing the link between the two, practitioners are able to help eliminate eczema but using Chinese herbs and acupuncture treatment. This two-headed approach is proven to help reduce both eczema and asthma in adults and children.
Chinese Herbs for Acne
The two main sources of common skin issues are believed by traditional Chinese medicine to be dampness and heat. ‘Dampness’ is considered to be the inability to properly flush out toxins and waste from the body, leading to a moist internal environment that pushes the toxins into the skin. The ‘heat’ aspect is the combination of overactive hormones that can be caused by physical and emotional stress on the body.
These two factors are considered to be a main cause in acne patients. By using a combination of traditional Chinese herbs and an alternative treatment plan that focuses on the person’s lifestyle rather than solely medicating the affected area, there has been much success in treating acne with Chinese herbs not just in the short-term, but in finding the right balance that can last a lifetime.
Chinese Herbs for Psoriasis
Using Chinese medicine to treat psoriasis has been extensively studied, including a famous study conducted by Zhu Renkang. After taking 108 subjects that were suffering from plaque psoriasis across their bodies, he was able to completely clear 72.2% of the patients, while significantly improving the skin of 11.1% using only Chinese herbal medicine.
With specific Chinese herbs known to moisten the skin to nourish it beyond the flakes and itchiness related to the condition, professional traditional Chinese medicine practitioners are able to treat psoriasis with Chinese herbs.
Acupuncture for Skin Conditions
With many common skin conditions resulting from poor immune functions, acupuncture is often considered a strong addition to any treatment plan. By inserting needles into specific pressure points in the body, there can be a restoration of the immune function, as well as improved blood circulation to the skin.
Plus, acupuncture is known to alleviate stress and anxiety, which are both proven to add to a variety of skin conditions. By combining acupuncture with a Chinese herb treatment for skin problems, there can be incredible progress in reducing or eliminating the ailments in as little as two weeks.
How We Use Traditional Chinese Medicine to Treat Skin Conditions
At Rocky Mountain Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine, our expert practitioners will begin with a full consultation that includes an inspection of your skin, questions about your lifestyle, diet, family history and more. This allows us to gain a full understanding of what can be contributing to your individual skin issues.
Then, we create a personalized treatment plan that uses the best methods including Chinese herbs, acupuncture and more to help find the balance in your body that can offer life-changing results for your skin conditions.
Begin Your Traditional Chinese Skin Treatment Today
If you are ready to discover why Chinese herbology and acupuncture are quickly becoming known as the most effective solutions for acne, eczema, rosacea, psoriasis, herpes, hives and more, then please contact us today to schedule your first appointment!
