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.
Psoriasis 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 psoriasis 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 psoriasis is often associated with feeling of heaviness, diarrhea and fever in the pattern “Damp-Cold”.
Once identified, patterns are treated using medicinal herbs, acupuncture, and other therapies. In the case of psoriasis we’ve identified that a herbal formula called Wei Ling Tang can help treat the patterns behind the symptom.
Damp-Cold, a "pattern of disharmony" that can cause psoriasis
In Chinese Medicine psoriasis is a symptom for the pattern "Damp-Cold". Below is a small explanation for it with links for more details.
Water Plantain (Ze Xie) is the king ingredient for Wei Ling Tang, a formula used for Damp-Cold
Damp-Cold
Pulse type(s): Deep (Chen), Slippery (Hua), Slow (Chi), Soggy (Ru)
In addition to psoriasis, other symptoms associated with Damp-Cold include feeling of heaviness, diarrhea and fever.
Damp-Cold is often treated with Wei Ling Tang, a herbal formula made of 9 herbs (including Water Plantain - Ze Xie - as a key herb). Wei Ling Tang belongs to the category of "formulas that expel dampness", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Promotes urination".
A herbal formula that might help with psoriasis
Wei Ling Tang
Source date: 1481 AD
Number of ingredients: 9 herbs
Key actions: Promotes urination. Warms the Yang. Strengthens the Spleen. Drains Dampness. Promotes the movement of Qi. Harmonizes the Stomach.
Why might Wei Ling Tang help with psoriasis?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Damp-Cold' of which psoriasis is a symptom.
Other symptoms characteristic of Damp-Cold include feeling of heaviness, diarrhea and fever.
The four Chinese Medicinal herbs most likely to help treat psoriasis
Why might Black Atractylodes Rhizome (Cang Zhu) help with psoriasis?
Because it is a key herb in Wei Ling Tang, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern 'Damp-Cold' (a pattern with psoriasis as a symptom)
Black Atractylodes Rhizomes is a Warm herb that tastes Bitter and Pungent. It targets the Spleen and the Stomach.
Its main actions are: Dries Damp and tonifies the Spleen. Relieves the Exterior for invasion of Wind-Cold-Damp. Relieves Wind-Damp painful obstruction. Dries Damp for either Damp-Cold or Damp-Heat when combined with the correct herbs. Clears the eyes and improves sight.
Why might Water Plantain (Ze Xie) help with psoriasis?
Because it is a key herb in Wei Ling Tang, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern 'Damp-Cold' (a pattern with psoriasis as a symptom)
Water Plantain is a Cold herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Bladder and the Kidney.
Its main actions are: Causes urination and removes Damp-Heat
Why might Thunder God Vine (Lei Gong Teng) help with psoriasis?
Because it is a herb specifically indicated to treat psoriasis as can be seen on Thunder God Vine's page.
Thunder God Vines is a Cold herb that tastes Bitter and Pungent. It targets the Spleen and the Liver.
Its main actions are: Dispels Wind and Dampness. Strongly clears Heat and resolves toxicity. Reduces swellings and stops pain. Kills parasites and bugs. Stops itching.
Why might Psoralea Fruit (Bu Gu Zhi) help with psoriasis?
Because it is a herb specifically indicated to treat psoriasis as can be seen on Psoralea Fruit's page.
Psoralea Fruits is a Warm herb that tastes Bitter and Pungent. It targets the Spleen and the Kidney.
Its main actions are: Tonifies the Kidney and Spleen Yang and rises Kidney Qi. Prevent Essence leakage and holds urines.
Other symptoms often associated with psoriasis
Generalized body pain Irritability Feeling of heaviness Diarrhea Severe fever and chills without sweating Superficial edema in the extremities Alternating fever and chills Absence of sweating Fever Face pimple