The information provided here is not a replacement for a doctor. You shouldn't use it for the purpose of self-diagnosing or self-medicating but rather so you can have a more informed discussion with a professional TCM practitioner.
Eczema can be the consequence of several so-called “patterns of disharmony” in Chinese Medicine.
Chinese Medicine sees the body as a system, not a sum of isolated parts. A "pattern" is when the system's harmony is disrupted, leading to symptoms or signs that something is wrong (like eczema here). It is similar to the concept of disease in Western Medicine but not quite: a Western disease can often be explained by several Chinese patterns and vice-versa.
A pattern often manifests itself in a combination of symptoms that, at first glance, do not seem necessarily related to each others. For instance here eczema is often associated with sores, vaginal itching and vaginal discharge in the pattern “Damp Heat in the Liver”. As you will see below, we have in record two patterns that can cause eczema.
Once identified, patterns are treated using medicinal herbs, acupuncture, and other therapies. In the case of eczema we’ve identified two herbal formulas that may help treat patterns behind the symptom.
We’ve also selected below the five medicinal herbs that we think are most likely to help treat eczema.
The two "patterns of disharmony" that can cause eczema
In Chinese Medicine eczema is a symptom for 2 patterns that we have on record. Below is a small explanation for each of them with links for more details.
The Liver is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Liver in Chinese Medicine
Damp Heat in the Liver
Pulse type(s): Rapid (Shu), Wiry (Xian)
Tongue coating: Sticky coating, Yellow coating
Tongue color: Red
This pattern is caused by excessive Heat in the Liver and Dampness due to Spleen Deficiency. Dampness can cause the formation of Phlegm. Patients often have a feeling of fullness. It is often caused by bad diet and lifestyle, hot and damp environment and emotional stress such as anger.
In addition to eczema, other symptoms associated with Damp Heat in the Liver include sores, vaginal itching and vaginal discharge.
Damp Heat in the Liver is often treated with Long Dan Xie Gan Tang, a herbal formula made of 10 herbs (including Chinese Gentian - Long Dan Cao - as a key herb). Long Dan Xie Gan Tang belongs to the category of "formulas that clear heat from the organs", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Clears Heat and Fire from the Liver and Gallbladder".
Water Buffalo Horns (Shui Niu Jiao) is the king ingredient for Xi Jiao Di Huang Tang, a formula used for Heat in the Blood
Heat in the Blood
Pulse type(s): Rapid (Shu)
Tongue color: Red
Heat in the Blood (or Blood-Heat) refers to a condition whereby Heat, as a so-called "Pernicious Influence", entered the Blood. This invasion tends to accelerate Blood flow (leading to a faster pulse) and to manifest itself in various types of bleeding as well as other symptoms.
In addition to eczema, other symptoms associated with Heat in the Blood include fever, restlessness and insomnia.
From a Western Medicine standpoint Heat in the Blood is associated with health issues such as Early Menstruation, Abnormal Uterine Bleeding or Heavy Menstruation.
Heat in the Blood is often treated with Xi Jiao Di Huang Tang, a herbal formula made of 4 herbs (including Water Buffalo Horns - Shui Niu Jiao - as a key herb). Xi Jiao Di Huang Tang belongs to the category of "formulas that clear nutritive-level heat", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Treats severe fevers and Heat in the Blood system".
Two herbal formulas that might help with eczema
Long Dan Xie Gan Tang
Source date: 1682 AD
Number of ingredients: 10 herbs
Key actions: Clears Heat and Fire from the Liver and Gallbladder. Clears and drains Damp-Heat from the Lower Burner.
Why might Long Dan Xie Gan Tang help with eczema?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Damp Heat in the Liver' of which eczema is a symptom.
Other symptoms characteristic of Damp Heat In The Liver include sores, vaginal itching and vaginal discharge.
Xi Jiao Di Huang Tang
Source date: 650 AD
Number of ingredients: 4 herbs
Key actions: Treats severe fevers and Heat in the Blood system. Removes Blood Stagnation.
Why might Xi Jiao Di Huang Tang help with eczema?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Heat in the Blood' of which eczema is a symptom.
Other symptoms characteristic of Heat In The Blood include fever, restlessness and insomnia.
The five Chinese Medicinal herbs most likely to help treat eczema
Why might Chinese Gentian (Long Dan Cao) help with eczema?
Because it is both specifically indicated to treat eczema and also because it is an ingredient in herbal formulas known to treat eczema as a symptom (such as Long Dan Xie Gan Tang for instance).
Chinese Gentian is a Cold herb that tastes Bitter. It targets the Gallbladder, the Heart, the Large intestine, the Liver and the Lung.
Its main actions are: Expels Damp-Heat especially in the Liver and Gallbladder Meridians. Clears Liver-Fire. Clears Liver-Wind.
Why might Unprepared Rehmannia (Di Huang) help with eczema?
Because Unprepared Rehmannia is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat eczema as a symptom, like Xi Jiao Di Huang Tang or Long Dan Xie Gan Tang for instance.
Unprepared Rehmannia is a Cold herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Heart, the Kidney and the Liver.
Its main actions are: Expels Heat by Cooling Blood. Tonifies Yin by promoting Fluid production. Soothes the Heart by calming Blazing Fire. Cools and nourishes.
Why might Water Buffalo Horn (Shui Niu Jiao) help with eczema?
Because it is a key herb in Xi Jiao Di Huang Tang, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern 'Heat in the Blood' (a pattern with eczema as a symptom)
Water Buffalo Horns is a Cold herb that tastes Bitter and Salty. It targets the Stomach, the Heart and the Liver.
Its main actions are: Cools the Blood, drains Fire and stops reckless movement of Blood. Clears Heat and Fire and stops tremors and convulsions. Cools Fire and expels toxins.
Why might Mistletoe (Hu Ji Sheng) help with eczema?
Because it is a herb specifically indicated to treat eczema as can be seen on Mistletoe's page.
Mistletoe is a Neutral herb that tastes Bitter. It targets the Kidney and the Liver.
Its main actions are: Tonifies Liver and Kidneys. Expels Wind and Dampness. Nourishes the Blood. Calms the womb. Treats dry skin. Relieves hypertension.
Why might Chicken Egg Yolk (Ji Zi Huang) help with eczema?
Because it is a herb specifically indicated to treat eczema as can be seen on Chicken Egg Yolk's page.
Chicken Egg Yolks is a Neutral herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Heart and the Kidney.
Its main actions are: Nourishes Yin and moisturizes Dryness. Nourishes blood and dispels Wind.
Other symptoms often associated with eczema
Sores Jaundice Fever Carbuncles Urinary tract infection Dysentery Rheumatoid arthritis Leukorrhea Coughing Dysuria