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.
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Skin eruptions 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 skin eruptions 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 skin eruptions is often associated with irritability, night sweats and insomnia in the pattern “Empty-Heat caused by Yin Deficiency”. As you will see below, we have in record two patterns that can cause skin eruptions.
Once identified, patterns are treated using medicinal herbs, acupuncture, and other therapies. In the case of skin eruptions 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 skin eruptions.
The two "patterns of disharmony" that can cause skin eruptions
In Chinese Medicine skin eruptions 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.
Softshell Turtle Shells (Bie Jia) is the king ingredient for Qing Hao Bie Jia Tang, a formula used for Empty-Heat caused by Yin Deficiency
Empty-Heat caused by Yin Deficiency
Pulse type(s): Rapid (Shu), Fine (Xi)
Tongue coating: Complete absence of coating
Tongue color: Red
When Yin Deficiency lasts for a long it may lead to Interior Heat
In addition to skin eruptions, other symptoms associated with Empty-Heat caused by Yin Deficiency include irritability, night sweats and insomnia.
From a Western Medicine standpoint Empty-Heat caused by Yin Deficiency is associated with health issues such as Lupus.
Empty-Heat caused by Yin Deficiency is often treated with Qing Hao Bie Jia Tang, a herbal formula made of 5 herbs (including Softshell Turtle Shells - Bie Jia - as a key herb). Qing Hao Bie Jia Tang belongs to the category of "formulas that clear heat from deficiency", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Nourishes the Yin and clears Heat".
Water Buffalo Horns (Shui Niu Jiao) is the king ingredient for Xi Jiao Di Huang Tang, a formula used for Excess-Heat
Excess-Heat
Pulse type(s): Rapid (Shu), Tight (Jin), Full (Shi)
Tongue coating: Yellow coating
Tongue color: Reddish-Purple
In addition to skin eruptions, other symptoms associated with Excess-Heat include fever, irritability and flushed face.
From a Western Medicine standpoint Excess-Heat is associated with health issues such as Lupus.
Excess-Heat 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 skin eruptions
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 skin eruptions?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Excess-Heat' of which skin eruptions is a symptom.
According to Chinese Medicine, Excess-Heat can contribute to many health issues, including Lupus.
Qing Hao Bie Jia Tang
Why might Qing Hao Bie Jia Tang help with skin eruptions?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Empty-Heat caused by Yin Deficiency' of which skin eruptions is a symptom.
According to Chinese Medicine, Empty-Heat caused by Yin Deficiency can contribute to many health issues, including Lupus.
The five Chinese Medicinal herbs most likely to help treat skin eruptions
Why might Unprepared Rehmannia (Di Huang) help with skin eruptions?
Because Unprepared Rehmannia is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat skin eruptions as a symptom, like Xi Jiao Di Huang Tang or Qing Hao Bie Jia 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 Mudan Peony Bark (Mu Dan Pi) help with skin eruptions?
Because Mudan Peony Bark is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat skin eruptions as a symptom, like Xi Jiao Di Huang Tang or Qing Hao Bie Jia Tang for instance.
Mudan Peony Bark is a Cool herb that tastes Bitter and Pungent. It targets the Heart, the Kidney and the Liver.
Its main actions are: Cools the Blood, activates Blood circulation and resolves Blood stasis.
Why might Sweet Wormwood Herb (Qing Hao) help with skin eruptions?
Because it is a key herb in Qing Hao Bie Jia Tang, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern 'Empty-Heat caused by Yin Deficiency' (a pattern with skin eruptions as a symptom)
Sweet Wormwood Herbs is a Cold herb that tastes Bitter. It targets the Gallbladder, the Kidney and the Liver.
Its main actions are: Treats malaria. Treats summer Heat and clears symptoms of deficient Heat. Clears Blood Heat and stops bleeding.
Why might Water Buffalo Horn (Shui Niu Jiao) help with skin eruptions?
Because it is a key herb in Xi Jiao Di Huang Tang, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern '' (a pattern with skin eruptions 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 Softshell Turtle Shell (Bie Jia) help with skin eruptions?
Because it is a key herb in Qing Hao Bie Jia Tang, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern 'Empty-Heat caused by Yin Deficiency' (a pattern with skin eruptions as a symptom)
Softshell Turtle Shells is a Neutral herb that tastes Salty. It targets the Kidney and the Liver.
Its main actions are: Nourishes Yin and subdues exuberant Yang. Resolves hardness.
Conditions associated with skin eruptions
Other symptoms often associated with skin eruptions
Fever Irritability Nosebleed Convulsions Sores Bloody sputum Mouth ulcers Night sweats Eczema Insomnia