Skin Dryness in Traditional Chinese Medicine

Understanding different skin dryness patterns according to TCM theory

Educational content Consult qualified practitioners for medical advice

Condition Categories

11
TCM Patterns
39
Formulas
Overview
What causes it 11 TCM patterns documented
How to recognize Symptoms specific to each skin dryness pattern
Classical remedies 39 herbal formulas documented

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) interprets skin dryness as an indication of underlying imbalances within the body's internal systems. TCM practitioners believe that skin health reflects the state of the body’s Qi (vital energy), Blood, Yin, and Yang balance.

Addressing skin dryness involves more than just external treatments; it necessitates identifying and correcting the disharmonies causing the condition, such as Blood Deficiency or internal dryness, through a holistic approach encompassing diet, lifestyle, and herbal remedies.

TCM Patterns for Skin Dryness

Blood Deficiency

Causes: Dry skin

7 variations documented
Qi and Blood Deficiency
How it presents with skin dryness

Dry skin

Along with: General weakness, Generalized fatigue, Weak voice, Pale face, Shortness of breath, Palpitations,

Blood Deficiency
How it presents with skin dryness

Dry skin

Along with: Dizziness, Scanty menstruation, Amenorrhea, Dull shallow face, Pale lips, Poor memory,

Blood Deficiency with External Wind
How it presents with skin dryness

Dry skin

Along with: Eczema, Red skin eruptions, Urticaria, Neurodermatitis, Ichthyosis, Psoriasis,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Liver and Heart Blood Deficiency
How it presents with skin dryness

Dry skin

Along with: Palpitations, Dizziness, Insomnia, Vivid dreaming, Poor memory, Anxiety,

Liver Blood Deficiency
How it presents with skin dryness

Dry skin

Along with: Blurry vision, Dull pale complexion, Scanty menstruation, Limb numbness, Pale lips, Muscle weakness,

Liver Blood and Kidney Essence Deficiency
How it presents with skin dryness

Dry skin

Along with: Primary amenorrhea, Lower back pain, Generalized fatigue, Knee pain, Dizziness, Depression,

Heart and Spleen Qi and Blood Deficiency
How it presents with skin dryness

Dry skin

Along with: Palpitations, Poor memory, Restless sleeplessness, Fever, Loss of appetite, Generalized fatigue,

Traditional Herbal Formulas

Dryness

Causes: Dry skin, Dry Skin

4 variations documented
Dry-Cold
How it presents with skin dryness

Dry skin

Along with: Fever, Headaches, Aversion to cold, Skin dryness, Lack of sweating, Dry mouth,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Dry-Heat or Dry-Fire
How it presents with skin dryness

Dry Skin

Along with: Fever, Thirst, Excessive sweating, Sore throat, Skin dryness, Dry nose,

Dry-Wind
How it presents with skin dryness

Dry skin

Along with: Aversion to cold, Excessive sweating, Skin dryness, Dry nose, Dry mouth, Dry throat,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Lung Dryness
How it presents with skin dryness

Dry skin

Along with: Dry cough, Dry throat, Skin dryness, Hoarse voice, Thirst

Traditional Herbal Formulas

Yin Deficiency

Causes: Dry skin

3 variations documented
Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency
How it presents with skin dryness

Dry skin

Along with: Dizziness, Tinnitus, Hearing loss, Lower back pain, Vertical headaches, Occipital headache,

Liver Yin Deficiency
How it presents with skin dryness

Dry skin

Along with: Dizziness, Limb numbness, Tingling of limbs, Insomnia, Blurry vision, Eye floaters,

Kidney Yin Deficiency
How it presents with skin dryness

Dry skin

Along with: Excessive sweating, Back pain, Hearing loss, Dry mouth and throat at night, Lower back pain, Constipation,

Qi Deficiency

Causes: Dry skin

2 variations documented
Qi and Blood Deficiency
How it presents with skin dryness

Dry skin

Along with: General weakness, Generalized fatigue, Weak voice, Pale face, Shortness of breath, Palpitations,

Heart and Spleen Qi and Blood Deficiency
How it presents with skin dryness

Dry skin

Along with: Palpitations, Poor memory, Restless sleeplessness, Fever, Loss of appetite, Generalized fatigue,

Traditional Herbal Formulas

Blood Stasis

Causes: Dry skin

2 variations documented
Liver Blood Stagnation
How it presents with skin dryness

Dry skin

Along with: Hypochondriac pain, Abdominal pain, Vomiting blood, Nosebleeds, Menstrual cramps, Irregular periods,

Spleen and Liver Blood Deficiency
How it presents with skin dryness

Dry skin

Along with: Loss of appetite, Slight abdominal distension after eating, Generalized fatigue, General weakness, Dull pale complexion, Weak limbs,

Wind

Causes: Dry skin

2 variations documented
Blood Deficiency with External Wind
How it presents with skin dryness

Dry skin

Along with: Eczema, Red skin eruptions, Urticaria, Neurodermatitis, Ichthyosis, Psoriasis,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Dry-Wind
How it presents with skin dryness

Dry skin

Along with: Aversion to cold, Excessive sweating, Skin dryness, Dry nose, Dry mouth, Dry throat,

Traditional Herbal Formulas

Essence Deficiency

Causes: Dry skin

1 variation documented
Liver Blood and Kidney Essence Deficiency
How it presents with skin dryness

Dry skin

Along with: Primary amenorrhea, Lower back pain, Generalized fatigue, Knee pain, Dizziness, Depression,

Body Fluids Deficiency

Causes: Dry skin

1 variation documented
Body Fluids Deficiency
How it presents with skin dryness

Dry skin

Along with: Skin dryness, Dry mouth, Dry nose, Dry cough, Dry lips, Dry tongue,

Cold

Causes: Dry skin

1 variation documented
Dry-Cold
How it presents with skin dryness

Dry skin

Along with: Fever, Headaches, Aversion to cold, Skin dryness, Lack of sweating, Dry mouth,

Traditional Herbal Formulas

Heat

Causes: Dry Skin

1 variation documented
Dry-Heat or Dry-Fire
How it presents with skin dryness

Dry Skin

Along with: Fever, Thirst, Excessive sweating, Sore throat, Skin dryness, Dry nose,

Dampness

Causes: Dry skin

1 variation documented
Lung Dryness
How it presents with skin dryness

Dry skin

Along with: Dry cough, Dry throat, Skin dryness, Hoarse voice, Thirst

Traditional Herbal Formulas

Herbal Formulas for Skin Dryness

Traditional Chinese Medicine formulas used to address skin dryness

Xing Su San

Addresses these skin dryness patterns:

Body Fluids Deficiency Dryness Cold Heat

Dang Gui Di Huang Yin

Addresses these skin dryness patterns:

Blood Deficiency Essence Deficiency Yin Deficiency

Bai He Gu Jin Tang

Addresses these skin dryness patterns:

Body Fluids Deficiency Dryness Dampness

Sang Xing Tang

Addresses these skin dryness patterns:

Dryness Heat Wind

Liu Wei Di Huang Wan

Addresses these skin dryness patterns:

Blood Deficiency Essence Deficiency Yin Deficiency

Gui Pi Tang

Addresses these skin dryness patterns:

Blood Deficiency Qi Deficiency Blood Stasis

He Che Da Zao Wan

Addresses these skin dryness patterns:

Blood Deficiency Essence Deficiency

Qing Zao Jiu Fei Tang

Addresses these skin dryness patterns:

Dryness Heat

Ren Shen Yang Rong Tang

Addresses these skin dryness patterns:

Blood Deficiency Qi Deficiency