Treating Acne with Chinese Herbs

Acne is one of the commonest skin conditions in the United States. Acne may be caused by stress, heredity or hormonal issues, according to the Acne Resource website. Traditional Chinese medicine practitioners believe dampness in the body increases the growth of microorganisms causing acne to develop. Chinese herbs used under the supervision and guidance of a health care practitioner is an alternative approach to treating acne.

Bai Zhu, also called Atractylodes macrocephala, is recorded in the ancient Chinese medicine book, "Discussion of the Herbs Property." It recommends blending Bai Zhu with wine or vinegar and applying it to the face as a cure for acne and freckles. Bai Zhu contains an essential oil, inulin and glucoside.

In Chinese medicine, the herb Tu Gua Gen, or Trichosanthes cucuneroides Ser. Maxim, is used for a variety of conditions. Tu Gua Gen is used in powdered form for treating acne and scars. It is also used for its heat clearing and detoxifying effects as well as its ability to resolve blood stasis.

Dang haung is a Chinese herb used under the Chinese principle of heatness. Traditional Chinese practitioners believe excessive heat blocks the chi or energy in the body. It is believed that this results in stagnant chi which may be caused by frustration and stress. In the case of excessive stomach heat accompanied with acne breakouts on the shoulders, mouth, chest and back, Dang haung, also called radix et rhizome rhei, would be the herb of choice, based on Chinese medicine principles.

Sheng Di Huang or radix rehmanniae is used based on the traditional Chinese medicine principle to treat blood heat. According to Chinese Medicine Gem website, Sheng Di Huang works to nourish Yin, clear the heat and cool the blood. According to the website, Chinesetown Connection, individuals with blood heat will experience long standing acne problems. Along with acne there will be constant thirst, facial flushing, feeling hot all the time and passage of deep colored urine. Sheng Di Haung has a cold and greasy, stagnated and slippery nature. Therefore, it is believed that this herb should not be used to treat individuals with poor appetite, loose stool, abdominal bloating or a spleen deficiency.

Lian Qiao or fructus forsythia suspensae is used to treat toxic heat. Toxic heat is usually indicated by severely large, painful areas of acne on the face, with redness and inflammation. The tongue may also be red with a sticky yellow coating. Lian Qiao is the Chinese herb of choice for treating acne due to toxic heat.

http://www.acne-resource.org/understanding-acne/acne-statistics.html

http://chinesemedicinegem.com/herbs/herbs-for-acne/

http://www.chinatownconnection.com/chinese-herbs-acne.htm

http://chinesemedicinegem.com/herbs/shu-di-huang-and-sheng-di-huang/