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Eczema & Psoriasis
Eczema and Psoriasis are 2 of the common chronic skin conditions still occurring today.
The etiology of both diseases can be quite similar. Redness and inflammation indicate Bile (Heat) or Heat in the Blood. If the person feels unwell, has poor quality or dirty looking skin, boils, swollen glands and foul breath etc., it indicates there is also Toxicity. If there is more fluid and moisture and the redness is more pale, it shows Damp or Phlegm. Cases with scarring, very dry scaly skin and skin deformity indicate Melancholy, classed as Wind-Phlegm in Ayurveda and TCM.
Psoriasis was classified traditionally in a group of skin diseases of dryness with scaling. The Arab physicians including Rhazes agreed excess Melancholy humor caused the chronic dryness. If the Melancholy is from burnt Humors, there would be scaling and flaking of scales 'like Mica'. Excess heat causes the burning and Itching. The importance of judicious purging in such chronic skin diseases was exemplified by Arab physicians. Modern research has shown bacterial endo-toxins accumulating in the intestines can be associated with some cases of Psoriasis, suggesting the use of purging medicines to be justified. Nevertheless, some of the most impressive radical 'cures' that you can witness will be after the use of the right purging medicines in the right case.
A review of more than 28,000 cases of Psoriasis treated in Taiwan over a 10 year period show the most commonly prescribed TCM prescription to be Win Qing Yin (see below) while the most commonly prescribed single herb was Dictamnus Bai Xian Pi (White Dittany). (Read the abstract here.)
Win Qing Yin is based on Si Wu Tang (Dang Gui, Paeonia Bai Shao, Rehmannia Shu Di and Ligusticum Chuan Xiong):
Some practitioners add Rhubarb (Da Huang) especially if using in powder form. This formula is widely used for Eczema and Psoriasis.
Another review looked at the use of topical herb washes and baths for Psoriasis in TCM. It found Sophora Ku Shen and Lithospermum Zi Cao were the most commonly used herbs. (Research below)
External Treatment
WASHES:
1. Plantain leaf, Comfrey, Slippery Elm, Calendula
2. Chickweed, Camomile, Marshmallow
3. Violet, Plantain, Cleavers, Licorice
SALVES AND OINTMENTS:
1. Plantain leaf, Comfrey leaf, Chickweed, Elder flower with Wax and Olive oil.
2. Fumitory, Violet, Red Clover, Marshmallow, Licorice
POPOV’S ECZEMA TREATMENT.
Russian physician and naturopath A. Popov promoted his treatment for Eczema as follows:
Put 4 oz. of powdered Burdock root into a pot with 5 liters of boiling water, and continue boiling for 20 minutes. Allow to cool to 39-40 degrees C. Next fold a sheet in quarters, soak the sheet in the decoction, gently sqeeze out the excess, then wrap the sheet around the patient from armpit to feet. Wrap the patient in another dry sheet and lie them down for 1-2 hours (they may sleep). It can be repeated for up to 6 days, then used as needed. It is best done before bed. Healing usually begins after the second day.
- Eczema is marked by red, inflamed, itchy skin that can form small blisters and cause bleeding.
- Psoriasis is marked by red, itch, scaly patches of skin.
The etiology of both diseases can be quite similar. Redness and inflammation indicate Bile (Heat) or Heat in the Blood. If the person feels unwell, has poor quality or dirty looking skin, boils, swollen glands and foul breath etc., it indicates there is also Toxicity. If there is more fluid and moisture and the redness is more pale, it shows Damp or Phlegm. Cases with scarring, very dry scaly skin and skin deformity indicate Melancholy, classed as Wind-Phlegm in Ayurveda and TCM.
Psoriasis was classified traditionally in a group of skin diseases of dryness with scaling. The Arab physicians including Rhazes agreed excess Melancholy humor caused the chronic dryness. If the Melancholy is from burnt Humors, there would be scaling and flaking of scales 'like Mica'. Excess heat causes the burning and Itching. The importance of judicious purging in such chronic skin diseases was exemplified by Arab physicians. Modern research has shown bacterial endo-toxins accumulating in the intestines can be associated with some cases of Psoriasis, suggesting the use of purging medicines to be justified. Nevertheless, some of the most impressive radical 'cures' that you can witness will be after the use of the right purging medicines in the right case.
A review of more than 28,000 cases of Psoriasis treated in Taiwan over a 10 year period show the most commonly prescribed TCM prescription to be Win Qing Yin (see below) while the most commonly prescribed single herb was Dictamnus Bai Xian Pi (White Dittany). (Read the abstract here.)
Win Qing Yin is based on Si Wu Tang (Dang Gui, Paeonia Bai Shao, Rehmannia Shu Di and Ligusticum Chuan Xiong):
- Si Wu Tang +
- Huang Lian Jie Du Tang
Some practitioners add Rhubarb (Da Huang) especially if using in powder form. This formula is widely used for Eczema and Psoriasis.
Another review looked at the use of topical herb washes and baths for Psoriasis in TCM. It found Sophora Ku Shen and Lithospermum Zi Cao were the most commonly used herbs. (Research below)
External Treatment
WASHES:
1. Plantain leaf, Comfrey, Slippery Elm, Calendula
2. Chickweed, Camomile, Marshmallow
3. Violet, Plantain, Cleavers, Licorice
SALVES AND OINTMENTS:
1. Plantain leaf, Comfrey leaf, Chickweed, Elder flower with Wax and Olive oil.
2. Fumitory, Violet, Red Clover, Marshmallow, Licorice
POPOV’S ECZEMA TREATMENT.
Russian physician and naturopath A. Popov promoted his treatment for Eczema as follows:
Put 4 oz. of powdered Burdock root into a pot with 5 liters of boiling water, and continue boiling for 20 minutes. Allow to cool to 39-40 degrees C. Next fold a sheet in quarters, soak the sheet in the decoction, gently sqeeze out the excess, then wrap the sheet around the patient from armpit to feet. Wrap the patient in another dry sheet and lie them down for 1-2 hours (they may sleep). It can be repeated for up to 6 days, then used as needed. It is best done before bed. Healing usually begins after the second day.
Herbs Commonly used in the Treatment of Eczema and Psoriasis
|
Aloe
Birthwort Burdock Calendula Camomile Cassia tora |
Catechu
Eclipta alba Fenugreek Fumitory Heartsease |
Heydychium
Lavender Licorice Mallow Mesua |
Neem
Nigella Sandalwood Sarsaparilla Violet |
|
Western Tradition
|
Chinese Classification
|
Simples:
|
Rehmannia Sheng Di
Paeonia Bai Shao Psoralea Bu Gu Zhi Lithospermum Zi Cao |
Sophora Ku Shen
Paeonia Mu Dan Pi Tribulus seed Ci Ji Li Pit Viper (Bai Hua She) |
Formulas:
|
General
Decoction of Fumitory Compound Syrup of Fumitory Compound (Mesue) Syrup of Chicory and Rhubarb (Nicholas) Syrup of Hops Pills of Fumitory (Avicenna) Catholicum (Diacatholicum) (Nicholas) Hiera Logadii Electuary of Senna (Disenna) (Nicholas) Oil of Walnuts (topically) Oil of St. Johns wort Oil of St Johns wort Compound White Plaster of Ceruse Ointment of Elecampane Ointment of Roses Ointment of Calamine Ointment of Ceruse Camphorated Ointment of Sulphur Heat / Bile Lime Water Syrup of Chicory and Rhubarb (Nicholas) Pills of Fumitory (Avicenna) Heat and Toxin Decoction for Skin Disease Syrup of Chicory and Rhubarb (Nicholas) Pills of Fumitory (Avicenna) Wind-Phelgm Garuda 5 (Khyung Lnga) (Tibetan Medicine) Melancholy Pills of Fumitory (Avicenna) Pills of Fumitory and Senna (Unani) Pills of Lapis Lazuli (Mesue) Electuary for Scabies and Pruritis (Rhasis) Electuary of Senna (Disenna) (Nicholas) |
Wind Cold
Acute Eczema, especially in children, pale red lesions, thick scales flaking off shed, minimal itching, dislikes cold, aggravated in winter, improves in summer, joint pain, a pale tongue with a thin coating. Gui Zhi Tang Wind and Heat Red lesions, scales thick, itchy, dislikes heat, worse in the heat or after hot or spicy food or alcohol, restlessness, thirst, dry stools, yellow urine, red tongue, yellow coating. Dang Gui Yin Zi Dan Zhi Xiao Yao San Fang Feng Tong Shen San Xi Jiao Di Huang Tang Xiao Feng San Damp Heat Dark red lesions, weeping or moist under scales, worsen in humid weather, heaviness in the chest, yellow urine, red tongue with thick yellow coat. Fang Feng Tong Sheng San Long Dan Xie Gan Tang Si Wu Tang + Huang Lian Jie Du Wan Toxic Heat Red lesions increasing quickly, fine scales with very red skin underneath, burning pain and itching, fever, thirst, yellow urine, deep red tongue with coating. Lian Qiao Bai Du Pian Si Wu Tang + Huang Lian Jie Du Wan Huang Lian Jie Du Tang Niu Huang Jie Du Tang Xian Fang Huo Ming Yin Blood Heat Red skin rash, skin bleeds easily, good complexion, full pulse, strong or excessive menstrual bleeding Si Wu Tang + Huang Lian Jie Du Wan Qing Ying Tang Blood Stasis with Blood deficiency Chronic cases with scarring, fixed patches of dry skin with dark color, skin is dull, nail beds and lips may be dark or pale, pulse is weak (more blood deficient) or choppy (more blood stasis). Tao Hong Si Wu Tang Huo Luo Xiao Ling Dan Yin Deficiency Chronic cases, especially in the elderly or weak, pale red lesions with thin scales, not very red, back pain, weakness extremities, dizziness, tinnitus, pale tongue with coating. Si Wu Tang Dang Gui Yin Zi Er Xian Tang Zhi Bai Di Huang Wan Mai Wei Di Huang Wan |
Research:
1. Traditional Chinese Medicine Use among Patients with Psoriasis in Taiwan: A Nationwide Population-Based Study.
2. Topical herbal formulae in the management of psoriasis: systematic review with meta-analysis of clinical studies and investigation of the pharmacological actions of the main herbs.
3. Induction of apoptosis underlies the Radix Rubiae-mediated anti-proliferative action on human epidermal keratinocytes: implications for psoriasis treatment.
4. Clinical evaluation of efficacy of Majoon Ushba and Roghane Hindi in the management of psoriasis: A randomized single-blind, placebo-controlled study.
5. Deciphering the Mechanism of Action of Wrightia tinctoria for Psoriasis Based on Systems Pharmacology Approach.
6. A systems pharmacology perspective to decipher the mechanism of action of Parangichakkai chooranam, a Siddha formulation for the treatment of psoriasis.
7. Anti-psoriatic potential of Solanum xanthocarpum stem in Imiquimod-induced psoriatic mice model.
8. Clinical efficacy of Shodhana Karma and Shamana Karma in Mandala Kushtha (Psoriasis).
2. Topical herbal formulae in the management of psoriasis: systematic review with meta-analysis of clinical studies and investigation of the pharmacological actions of the main herbs.
3. Induction of apoptosis underlies the Radix Rubiae-mediated anti-proliferative action on human epidermal keratinocytes: implications for psoriasis treatment.
4. Clinical evaluation of efficacy of Majoon Ushba and Roghane Hindi in the management of psoriasis: A randomized single-blind, placebo-controlled study.
5. Deciphering the Mechanism of Action of Wrightia tinctoria for Psoriasis Based on Systems Pharmacology Approach.
6. A systems pharmacology perspective to decipher the mechanism of action of Parangichakkai chooranam, a Siddha formulation for the treatment of psoriasis.
7. Anti-psoriatic potential of Solanum xanthocarpum stem in Imiquimod-induced psoriatic mice model.
8. Clinical efficacy of Shodhana Karma and Shamana Karma in Mandala Kushtha (Psoriasis).