Psoriasis 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.
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”. As you will see below, we have in record two patterns that can cause psoriasis.
Once identified, patterns are treated using medicinal herbs, acupuncture, and other therapies. In the case of psoriasis we’ve identified three 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 psoriasis.
The two "patterns of disharmony" that can cause psoriasis
In Chinese Medicine psoriasis 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.
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".
Ephedra (Ma Huang) is the king ingredient for Da Qing Long Tang, a formula used for Phlegm-Fluids in the limbs
Phlegm-Fluids in the limbs
Pulse type(s): Tight (Jin), Wiry (Xian)
Tongue coating: Sticky coating, Thick white coating
Tongue shape: Swollen
This is when Body Fluids stagnate in the four limbs instead of flowing in the body and getting released as sweat.
In addition to psoriasis, other symptoms associated with Phlegm-Fluids in the limbs include generalized body pain, irritability and feeling of heaviness.
Phlegm-Fluids in the limbs is often treated with Da Qing Long Tang, a herbal formula made of 7 herbs (including Ephedra - Ma Huang - as a key herb). Da Qing Long Tang belongs to the category of "formulas that clear wind-cold", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Promotes sweating".
Three herbal formulas 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.
Da Qing Long Tang
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 7 herbs
Key actions: Promotes sweating. Releases the Exterior. Clears Interior Heat.
Why might Da Qing Long Tang help with psoriasis?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Phlegm-Fluids in the limbs' of which psoriasis is a symptom.
Xiao Qing Long Tang
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 8 herbs
Key actions: Releases the Exterior. Transforms Phlegm-Fluids. Warms the Lungs. Directs Rebellious Qi downward.
Why might Xiao Qing Long Tang help with psoriasis?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Phlegm-Fluids in the limbs' of which psoriasis is a symptom.
Acupuncture points used for psoriasis
The five Chinese Medicinal herbs most likely to help treat psoriasis
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 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 Poria-Cocos Mushroom (Fu Ling) 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)
Poria-Cocos Mushrooms is a Neutral herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Heart, the Kidney, the Lung and the Spleen.
Its main actions are: Encourages urination and drains Dampness. Tonic to the Spleen/Stomach. Assists the Heart and calms the Spirit.
Why might Polyporus (Zhu Ling) 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)
Polyporus is a Neutral herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Bladder and the Kidney.
Its main actions are: Drains Dampness and encourages urination
Why might Houpu Magnolia Bark (Hou Pu) 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)
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.
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