Itchy skin according to Chinese Medicine
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.
Itchy skin 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 itchy skin 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 itchy skin is often associated with poor appetite, feeling of heaviness and burning sensation in the anus in the pattern “Damp-Heat invading the Spleen”.
Once identified, patterns are treated using medicinal herbs, acupuncture, and other therapies. In the case of itchy skin we’ve identified that a herbal formula called Lian Po Yin can help treat the patterns behind the symptom.
Damp-Heat invading the Spleen, a "pattern of disharmony" that can cause itchy skin
In Chinese Medicine itchy skin is a symptom for the pattern "Damp-Heat invading the Spleen". Below is a small explanation for it with links for more details.
The Spleen is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Spleen in Chinese Medicine
Damp-Heat invading the Spleen
Pulse type(s): Rapid (Shu), Slippery (Hua)
In addition to itchy skin, other symptoms associated with Damp-Heat invading the Spleen include poor appetite, feeling of heaviness and burning sensation in the anus.
Damp-Heat invading the Spleen is often treated with Lian Po Yin, a herbal formula made of 7 herbs (including Goldthread Rhizomes - Huang Lian - as a key herb). Lian Po Yin belongs to the category of "formulas that clear heat and expel dampness", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Clears Heat".
A herbal formula that might help with itchy skin
Lian Po Yin
Source date: 1862 AD
Number of ingredients: 7 herbs
Key actions: Clears Heat. Transforms Dampness. Regulates Qi. Harmonizes the Middle Burner.
Why might Lian Po Yin help with itchy skin?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Damp-Heat invading the Spleen' of which itchy skin and skin eruptions is a symptom.
Acupuncture points used for itchy skin
The two Chinese Medicinal herbs most likely to help treat itchy skin
Why might Houpu Magnolia Bark (Hou Pu) help with itchy skin?
Because it is a key herb in Lian Po Yin, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern 'Damp-Heat invading the Spleen' (a pattern with itchy skin as a symptom)
Houpu Magnolia Bark is a Warm herb that tastes Bitter and Pungent. It targets the Lung, the Spleen and the Stomach.
Its main actions are: Moves Rebellious Qi downward, dries Dampness and relieves Food Stagnation. Transforms Phlegm and redirects Rebellious Qi of the Lung.
Why might Goldthread Rhizome (Huang Lian) help with itchy skin?
Because it is a key herb in Lian Po Yin, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern 'Damp-Heat invading the Spleen' (a pattern with itchy skin as a symptom)
Goldthread Rhizomes is a Cold herb that tastes Bitter. It targets the Gallbladder, the Heart, the Large intestine, the Liver, the Spleen and the Stomach.
Its main actions are: Expels Damp-Heat especially in the Lower Burner. Eliminates Fire toxicity especially when there is associated Dampness. Acts as a sedative by eliminating Heart Fire. Eliminates Stomach Fire. Expel parasites
Other symptoms often associated with itchy skin
Facial paralysis Stiff neck Neck pain Heavy body Joint pain Aversion to cold Fever Headaches Aversion to wind Runny nose