Chinese medicine
Chinese medicines are sometimes used by patients as an alternative treatment for eczema and have been successful in the treatment of eczema often when all other conventional treatments fail. Chinese medicine includes herbal therapy, acupuncture, dietary therapy and exercises in breathing/movement (tai chi and qi gong). It has been used for many years and treats the root cause of an illness not just the symptoms.
Chinese medicine is based on the theories of yin and yang and the five elements. Yin and yang sees everything as two opposing forces such as back and front, inside and outside, full and empty and hot and cold. The five elements being water, earth, metal, wood and fire. Each element relates to a specific organ and taste (pungent, salty, bitter, sour and sweet). Chinese medicine addresses the underlying disharmony thus bringing the body back into balance.
Chinese medicines should only be prescribed by a trained practitioner of Chinese medicine. A practitioner will determine whether the disharmony is due to heat or cold, if it is internal or external and what organs are affected – only then will he or she be able to choose the correct remedy. Each treatment is tailored to the individual patient.
| Acupuncture - has been effective in treating eczema. The Chinese believe eczema is caused by excess heat and dryness. Acupuncture using needles can reduce soreness, inflammation, increase the healing time, build up the immune system and reduce heat. |  |
Herbs – flos lonicerae (honeysuckle); clears heat and reduces toxins, herba menthae (field mint); stops rashes and allows the skin to breath, cortex moutan (tree peony bark); cools the blood and helps blood circulation, rhizoma atractylodis; dries dampness and cortex phellodendri (phellodendrum bark); releases toxins. All these herbs may be effective in treating eczema; symptoms such as itching, redness, inflammation and poor quality sleep can be improved by using Chinese herbs.
Food triggers – Chinese medicine can assist in determining the foods which trigger eczema flares. The most common triggers being eggs, milk, peanuts, soya and wheat.
Acupressure – works in a similar why to acupuncture without the needles. Pressure, using hands/fingers, is applied to various points on the body stimulating energy and clearing away heat and generating fluids.
It is extremely important to discuss with your doctor/Chinese practitioner your symptoms before considering embarking on a regime of Chinese medicine.
Information written by the talkhealth medical panel
Last Reviewed: 4 April 2011
Next Review Date: 4 April 2013
