Do Chinese Herbal Remedies Work for Eczema?

Do Chinese Herbal Remedies Work for Eczema?

Nowadays people are very interested in natural remedies for eczema like Chinese herbs. Chinese herbs have long been used to treat chronic skin conditions. The use of Chinese herbs is part of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), an ancient system that views disease as an imbalance and disharmony in the body's energy system. The goal of Chinese herbs is to address underlying disharmony and bring the body back into balance. The question is, do Chinese herbal remedies work in treating eczema and are a safe alternative to traditional treatments?

How do Chinese herbal remedies work?

Traditional Chinese Medicine is based on the theories of Yin and Yang and the five elements. The Yin and Yang theory sees everything in two opposite aspects such as cold and heat, internal and external, stillness and movement. The five elements refer to water, earth, metal, wood and fire. Each element relates to different internal organs and to different tastes. The five tastes are sweet, sour, bitter, salty and spicy.

The choice of herbs depends on whether the patient suffers from an imbalance of Yin or Yang and the five elements. A practitioner will consider whether the disharmony is hot or cold in nature, an internal or external disease, and which organs are affected. Only then will they be able to choose the right herbal remedies to treat the problem.

According to TCM, eczema can be attributed to various factors. Wind-heat or wind-dampness penetrates the body and causes acute itching and fluid-filled lesions. Heat in the blood causes very red and swollen skin, which gets worse in the summer. This can be followed by dryness, causing the skin to become dry and flaky and often worse in winter. Eventually, Yin can become deficient, resulting in red, dry, cracked, and itchy skin that becomes worse at night with increased thirst and sometimes night sweats.

The reason why children are more prone to eczema is because their internal organs are not fully developed. In Chinese medicine theory, the metal element refers to the lungs and the lungs to the skin. If the lung energy is not strong, external factors such as wind, heat and humidity can easily enter the body. In adults, even if their organs are stronger, they can be affected by factors such as extreme stress and poor nutrition.

How are Chinese herbs prescribed?

Chinese herbal remedies for treating eczema work in different ways: eliminating heat, removing moisture, driving away wind, nourishing blood and moistening dryness. Once the diagnosis is made, the correct herbal formula is prescribed.

The traditional way of taking Chinese herbs is to boil a mixture of dried herbs to make a tea, but this is not always convenient or tasty and often tastes bitter. Herbs are also prescribed in the form of freeze-dried powders or as tinctures. The easiest and most convenient way to take Chinese herbal medicine is in pill form. Nostrum recipes that contain multiple herbs and other ingredients are often prescribed. However, these are standardized remedies and cannot be adapted to individual patients.

Has there been a lot of research done on Chinese herbs and eczema?

There has been considerable research that has shown positive results for Chinese herbs in treating eczema. Symptoms such as itching, redness and inflammation as well as sleep quality improved. A study by Dr. David Atherton, a dermatologist at Great Ormond Street Hospital in the UK, revealed that his eczema patients improved dramatically with Chinese herbs while they had not responded to orthodox treatment.

Are Chinese herbs safe to use?

Overall, Chinese herbs are very safe to use, but there are known side effects. Do Chinese herbal remedies work for eczema? Chinese medical professionals have always known that Chinese herbs are good for skin conditions and this has been confirmed by research. When treated by a qualified doctor, Chinese herbal remedies for eczema are a viable alternative to traditional treatments.

Inspired by Vicky Massey