Chinese Medicine for Skin Conditions: Psoriasis, Acne, Rosacea & Holistic Healing

Key Takeaways:

• Chinese Medicine focuses on the internal root causes of psoriasis, acne and rosacea, including heat, dampness, circulation issues, hormonal imbalance and stress, rather than treating symptoms at the surface.
• Herbal formulas play a major role in skin healing, using carefully selected herbs to cool inflammation, clear toxins, nourish yin and support healthier skin repair.
• Acupuncture supports clearer and calmer skin by improving circulation, regulating digestion, balancing hormones and reducing emotional tension that contributes to flare-ups.
• Diet and lifestyle habits directly influence skin stability, with cooling foods, balanced digestion, gentle skincare practices and consistent stress management helping reduce flare severity.
• Personalized treatment leads to the most reliable long-term results, because each person has a unique pattern driving their symptoms and responds best to a tailored approach.

Understanding Skin Conditions Through Chinese Medicine

The TCM View of Skin Health

In Chinese Medicine, the skin reflects the health of several internal systems.

• The Lungs govern the skin and are linked to immune defenses.
• The Liver regulates stress, circulation, and inflammation.
• The Spleen and Stomach affect digestion and dampness, which can show up as acne, swelling, or oiliness.
• The Kidneys support hormonal balance, aging, and long-term vitality.

When these organ systems become imbalanced, the skin often becomes dry, inflamed, reactive, or prone to breakouts.

Common TCM Patterns Behind Skin Issues

Chinese Medicine identifies specific patterns that explain why the skin reacts the way it does. Each pattern links to internal functions that influence inflammation, moisture levels, circulation, and sensitivity.

• Heat – Creates redness, irritation, and frequent flare-ups. It often appears as acne, rosacea, or inflamed psoriasis patches.
• Dampness and Damp Heat – Shows up as oily skin, cystic acne, swelling, or weeping lesions. It forms when digestion slows or the body holds excess fluid and waste.
• Blood Heat – Leads to itching, red plaques, and rapid skin changes. It is a common pattern in psoriasis and inflammatory acne.
• Blood Stasis – Slows healing and makes flare-ups persistent and thick. It contributes to stubborn psoriasis scales and deep acne marks.
• Qi Stagnation – Often triggered by stress. It affects circulation and hormone regulation, leading to tension-type breakouts and cyclic flare-ups.
• Deficiency Patterns – Yin, blood, or qi deficiencies create dryness, sensitivity, flaking, or redness that worsens with stress or heat.

Why TCM Looks Beyond the Skin Surface

TCM teaches that the skin mirrors the state of internal systems. When digestion becomes sluggish, heat rises, or stress remains unregulated, the body sends signals through the skin. Issues like poor sleep, emotional tension, and irregular eating patterns also influence inflammation and overall skin clarity.

Instead of managing symptoms alone, treatment focuses on restoring balance so the skin can strengthen and heal naturally.

Chinese Medicine for Psoriasis

How TCM Understands Psoriasis

In Chinese Medicine, psoriasis is viewed as a reflection of internal imbalances that affect the blood, immune system and circulation. Several patterns commonly appear:

• Blood heat, which creates red, inflamed and rapidly changing plaques
• Blood stasis, which contributes to thicker, more stubborn scaling
• Dryness or yin deficiency, which leads to cracking, flaking and chronic irritation
• Wind, which causes itching, shifting patches and unpredictable flare-ups

Emotional stress, irregular digestion and an overactive immune response frequently influence how these patterns develop and how severe the condition becomes.

Chinese Herbs Commonly Used for Psoriasis

For people living with psoriasis, Chinese herbal medicine offers support by calming inflammation and restoring balance beneath the surface. Herbal formulas are crafted to cool the blood, hydrate dryness, settle heat and strengthen the body’s natural repair processes. Below are key herbs frequently included in psoriasis treatment.

1. Heat-Clearing and Anti-Inflammatory Herbs

These herbs help reduce redness, warmth, and rapidly changing plaques.

• Huang Qin (Scutellaria baicalensis) – Calms inflammation and heat in the blood.
• Zhi Zi (Gardenia jasminoides) – Clears heat, soothes irritation and lowers inflammatory responses.
• Long Dan Cao (Gentiana scabra) – Strong at clearing excess heat that contributes to flare-ups.

2. Blood-Cooling and Detoxifying Herbs

Psoriasis often involves blood heat or blood toxicity. These herbs cool and purify the blood:

• Sheng Di Huang (Rehmannia glutinosa) – Nourishes yin and cools heat that causes redness and dryness.
• Mu Dan Pi (Moutan cortex) – Cools the blood and moves stagnation.
• Chi Shao (Paeonia rubra) – Reduces heat and supports smoother circulation.
• Bai Hua She She Cao (Hedyotis diffusa) – Traditional detoxifying herb used for chronic inflammatory skin issues.

3. Blood-Invigorating Herbs for Thick or Stubborn Plaques

When plaques are thick, fixed or slow to heal, herbs that move blood and break stagnation are added:

• Dan Shen (Salvia miltiorrhiza) – Enhances microcirculation and supports tissue repair.
• Yi Mu Cao (Leonurus japonicus) – Moves blood and reduces plaque stiffness.
• Chuan Xiong (Ligusticum chuanxiong) – Promotes blood flow and reduces stagnation-related inflammation.

4. Moisturizing and Yin-Nourishing Herbs for Dry, Cracked Skin

Many psoriasis patients develop dryness or yin deficiency. These herbs restore moisture, elasticity and barrier strength:

• Mai Men Dong (Ophiopogon japonicus) – Hydrates skin and soothes internal dryness.
• Xuan Shen (Scrophularia ningpoensis) – Cools heat while nourishing fluids.
• He Shou Wu (Polygonum multiflorum) – Supports long-term yin nourishment and hair/skin health.

5. Modern Extracts and Research-Supported Ingredients

Some herbs are now used in concentrated extract form for stronger therapeutic effects:

• Oxymatrine (from Sophora flavescens) – Shown in modern studies to regulate keratinocyte overgrowth, balance immune activity and reduce inflammation.
• Kushenin (from Sophora root) – Helps modulate immune responses associated with psoriasis.

Chinese Medicine for Acne

TCM Perspective on Acne

In Chinese Medicine, acne is understood as the result of internal heat, stagnation and imbalances that influence digestion, hormones and stress. Each pattern produces a different type of breakout:

• Lung heat, which commonly appears as whiteheads or acne on the chest and back
• Stomach heat, often seen as red, inflamed pimples around the face
• Damp-heat, which leads to cystic acne, oily skin and stubborn congestion
• Blood heat, associated with hormonal acne and faster-cycling breakouts
• Phlegm stagnation, which creates deep, painful nodules that are slow to resolve
• Liver qi stagnation, responsible for stress-driven acne and PMS-related flares

Understanding these patterns allows treatment to match the exact cause behind the breakouts.

Chinese Herbs Commonly Used for Acne

Many types of acne come from deeper imbalances such as excess heat, oily dampness or hormonal shifts. Chinese herbal medicine helps correct these patterns so the skin can clear and heal more easily. The herbs listed below are commonly used to support clearer and calmer skin.

1. Heat-Clearing and Anti-Inflammatory Herbs

Used for red, inflamed, hot-type pimples caused by excess stomach or lung heat.

• Huang Qin (Scutellaria baicalensis) – Cools heat in the stomach and lungs; reduces inflammation.
• Zhi Zi (Gardenia jasminoides) – Clears heat, calms redness and eases irritation.
• Jin Yin Hua (Lonicera japonica) – Disperses toxins and treats early-stage inflammatory acne.
• Lian Qiao (Forsythia suspensa) – Cools heat and supports detoxification for rapid breakouts.

2. Damp-Heat Resolving and Detoxifying Herbs

Ideal for cystic acne, oily skin, congestion and digestive-related breakouts.

• Huang Lian (Coptis chinensis) – Strongly clears damp-heat; reduces swelling and inflammation.
• Huang Bai (Phellodendron amurense) – Drains damp-heat from the lower body and regulates oil.
• Ku Shen (Sophora flavescens) – Addresses dampness, itching, and stubborn pustules.
• Bai Hua She She Cao (Hedyotis diffusa) – Detoxifies heat toxins and reduces deep cystic lesions.
• Pu Gong Ying (Taraxacum mongolicum) – Cools heat, reduces swelling, and supports liver detoxification.

3. Blood-Invigorating Herbs for Stubborn or Deep Acne

Best for nodules, cysts, acne scarring, and slow-healing lesions.

• Dan Shen (Salvia miltiorrhiza) – Promotes microcirculation and speeds tissue repair.
• Chi Shao (Paeonia rubra) – Cools the blood and reduces inflammation in deeper lesions.
• Tao Ren (Prunus persica) – Breaks blood stagnation and softens hardened nodules.

4. Hormone-Regulating and Stress-Soothing Herbs

Helpful for PMS acne, cyclical flare-ups, and stress-triggered breakouts.

• Chai Hu (Bupleurum chinense) – Moves liver qi and reduces stress-driven congestion.
• Dang Gui (Angelica sinensis) – Nourishes and regulates blood for smoother cycles.
• Bai Shao (Paeonia lactiflora) – Softens tension, stabilizes hormones, and calms sensitivity.
• Xiang Fu (Cyperus rotundus) – Balances hormones and eases emotional triggers behind acne.

5. Anti-Infection and Pus-Clearing Herbs

Used for acne with pus, swelling, or significant redness.

• Zi Hua Di Ding (Viola yedoensis) – Clears heat toxins and treats inflamed, pus-filled lesions.
• Ban Lan Gen (Isatis tinctoria) – Cools heat, reduces swelling, and supports immune clarity.
• Ye Ju Hua (Chrysanthemum indicum) – Disperses heat and calms inflamed, red pimples.

Chinese Medicine for Rosacea

What Causes Rosacea in TCM

Rosacea is viewed in Chinese Medicine as a heat-dominant condition that rises to the face and disrupts the skin’s natural balance. Several internal patterns commonly contribute to flare-ups:

• Stomach heat that rises upward and creates facial redness
• Lung heat that affects the nose, cheeks and pores
• Blood heat that produces persistent flushing and visible vessels
• Yin deficiency that generates internal heat and sensitivity
• Emotional heat from stress, frustration or irritability

Environmental influences such as weather changes, spicy foods and alcohol can amplify these patterns by adding more internal heat.

Chinese Herbs Commonly Used for Rosacea

For individuals with rosacea, Chinese herbal medicine provides a gentle yet effective way to calm redness and sensitivity by addressing the internal patterns behind flare-ups. By cooling heat, nourishing the blood, settling inflammation and improving digestive harmony, herbal formulas help the skin become less reactive and more resilient over time.

1. Heat-Clearing Herbs for Redness and Flushing

These herbs target facial heat, flushing, and inflammation commonly seen in rosacea.

• Huang Qin (Scutellaria baicalensis) – Clears stomach and lung heat; reduces facial redness.
• Zhi Zi (Gardenia jasminoides) – Cools heat and helps relieve flushing and burning sensations.
• Shi Gao (Gypsum fibrosum) – Strongly clears blazing heat and reduces warmth rising to the face.
• Lian Qiao (Forsythia suspensa) – Cools heat and supports detoxification for acute flare-ups.

2. Blood-Cooling and Inflammation-Calming Herbs

Used for persistent redness, visible blood vessels, and heat trapped in the blood layer.

• Sheng Di Huang (Rehmannia glutinosa) – Nourishes yin and cools the blood; reduces heat-based sensitivity.
• Mu Dan Pi (Moutan cortex) – Cools blood heat and calms inflammation.
• Chi Shao (Paeonia rubra) – Improves circulation while reducing facial heat and swelling.

3. Damp-Heat Reducing Herbs

Ideal for rosacea with breakouts, pustules, or oily areas.

• Ku Shen (Sophora flavescens) – Drains damp-heat; reduces sensitivity and inflammation.
• Bai Xian Pi (Dictamnus dasycarpus) – Addresses itching, inflammation, and heat-toxin lesions.
• Huang Lian (Coptis chinensis) – Strongly clears damp-heat and calms irritation.

4. Yin-Nourishing and Moisturizing Herbs

Used when rosacea involves dryness, tightness, heat-sensitivity, or flushing from yin deficiency.

• Mai Men Dong (Ophiopogon japonicus) – Moistens dryness and calms heat rising to the face.
• Xuan Shen (Scrophularia ningpoensis) – Nourishes yin, clears heat, and eases inflammation.
• Sheng Di Huang (Rehmannia glutinosa) – Hydrates and cools the blood for irritated, sensitive skin.

5. Emotion-Calming and Heat-Regulating Herbs

Helpful when rosacea flares are triggered by stress, anger, or emotional overheating.

• Chai Hu (Bupleurum chinense) – Smooths liver qi and reduces emotional heat.
• Xiang Fu (Cyperus rotundus) – Regulates emotions and reduces stress-based flushing.
• Zhi Zi (Gardenia jasminoides) – Clears emotional heat affecting the face.

What to Expect from Treatment

Treatment Timeline

• Acute flare-ups: improvements often seen within 3–6 sessions
• Chronic conditions: meaningful progress typically within 8–12 weeks
• Long-term skin stability: achieved through ongoing internal balancing

Safety and Quality Considerations

• Herbal formulas must be prescribed by a trained practitioner
• High-quality herbs should be sourced from reputable suppliers
• Possible interactions with medications must be assessed

Why Customization Matters

Two patients with the same diagnosis can have different root causes. Personalized treatment ensures better results and prevents recurrent flare-ups.

Comparing TCM With Western Dermatology

Different Strengths

Western dermatology excels at providing fast, targeted relief for visible symptoms through medications, topical treatments and clinical procedures.

Chinese Medicine focuses on long-term internal balance, addressing the root imbalances in heat, dampness, circulation, immunity and stress that drive recurring flare-ups.

Best When Combined

An integrative approach often produces the most stable, long-lasting improvement. Combining both systems can be especially effective for:

• Hormonal acne that cycles with stress or menstruation
• Autoimmune-related psoriasis
• Chronic or vascular rosacea
• Skin conditions triggered or worsened by stress

Using Western treatments for immediate control and TCM for deeper regulation creates a more complete and sustainable path to skin healing.

Practical Tips for Managing Skin Conditions Daily

Chinese Medicine offers a holistic and deeply personalized way to understand and manage chronic skin conditions. By addressing the internal patterns behind inflammation, heat, circulation, digestion and stress, TCM helps the skin heal from the inside out. Paired with supportive nutrition, stress regulation and consistent daily habits, this approach encourages clearer, calmer and more stable skin over time.

If you want a more holistic and long-term approach to your skin health, contact us at ACA Acupuncture and Wellness. We provide acupuncture, customized herbal care and personalized lifestyle guidance to help your skin heal naturally and reduce flare-ups. Our goal is to support lasting clarity, comfort and confidence in your skin.

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