Eczema & Psoriasis

Eczema & Psoriasis

Eczema and Psoriasis are 2 of the common chronic skin conditions still occurring today.

• Eczema is marked by red, inflamed, itchy skin that can form small blisters and cause bleeding.
• Psoriasis is marked by red, itch, scaly patches of skin.

There are 5 main types of Psoriasis:

• Psoriasis vulgaris–most common type; red papules or rash which turns into a flake. The surface is covered with multi-layer gray or silver white scales;
• Intertriginous psoriasis–usually found in the folding parts such as armpits and groin, usually without scales,
• Guttate psoriasis–usually on the torso of children; mostly after a streptococcal infection of the upper respiratory tract.
• Pustular psoriasis–pustules mostly on the palm and fingertips. The pustules are filled with non-infectious pus.
• Erythrodermic psoriasis–most serious. Causes lowering of body temperature, hypoproteinemia and heart failure

The etiology of both diseases can be quite similar. Redness and inflammation indicate Bile (Heat) or Heat in the Blood. If the person feels unwell, has poor quality or dirty looking skin, boils, swollen glands and foul breath etc., it indicates there is also Toxicity. If there is more fluid and moisture and the redness is more pale, it shows Damp or Phlegm. Cases with scarring, very dry scaly skin and skin deformity indicate Melancholy, classed as Wind-Phlegm in Ayurveda and TCM.
Psoriasis was classified traditionally in a group of skin diseases of dryness with scaling. The Arab physicians including Rhazes agreed excess Melancholy humor caused the chronic dryness. If the Melancholy is from burnt Humors, there would be scaling and flaking of scales ‘like Mica’. Excess heat causes the burning and Itching. The importance of judicious purging in such chronic skin diseases was exemplified by Arab physicians. Modern research has shown bacterial endo-toxins accumulating in the intestines can be associated with some cases of Psoriasis, suggesting the use of purging medicines to be justified. Nevertheless, some of the most impressive radical ‘cures’ that you can witness will be after the use of the right purging medicines in the right case.
A review of more than 28,000 cases of Psoriasis treated in Taiwan over a 10 year period show the most commonly prescribed TCM prescription to be Win Qing Yin (see below) while the most commonly prescribed single herb was Dictamnus Bai Xian Pi (White Dittany). (Read the abstract here.)
Win Qing Yin is a combination of 2 Chinese formulas:

• Si Wu Tang +
• Huang Lian Jie Du Tang

Some practitioners add Rhubarb (Da Huang) especially if using in powder form. This formula is widely used for Eczema and Psoriasis.
Another review looked at the use of topical herb washes and baths for Psoriasis in TCM. It found Sophora Ku Shen and Lithospermum Zi Cao were the most commonly used herbs. (Research below)
External Treatment
WASHES:
1. Plantain leaf, Comfrey, Slippery Elm, Calendula
2. Chickweed, Camomile, Marshmallow
3. Violet, Plantain, Cleavers, Licorice
SALVES AND OINTMENTS:
1. Plantain leaf, Comfrey leaf, Chickweed, Elder flower with Wax and Olive oil.
2. Fumitory, Violet, Red Clover, Marshmallow, Licorice
POPOV’S ECZEMA TREATMENT.
Russian physician and naturopath A. Popov promoted his treatment for Eczema as follows:
Put 4 oz. of powdered Burdock root into a pot with 5 liters of boiling water, and continue boiling for 20 minutes. Allow to cool to 39-40 degrees C. Next fold a sheet in quarters, soak the sheet in the decoction, gently sqeeze out the excess, then wrap the sheet around the patient from armpit to feet. Wrap the patient in another dry sheet and lie them down for 1-2 hours (they may sleep). It can be repeated for up to 6 days, then used as needed. It is best done before bed. Healing usually begins after the second day.
Herbs Commonly used in the Treatment of Eczema and Psoriasis

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• Western Tradition
• Chinese Classification

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• Simples:
• Simples:

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Rehmannia Sheng Di
Paeonia Bai Shao
Psoralea Bu Gu Zhi
Lithospermum Zi Cao
Zedoary (E Zhu)
Indigo (Qing Dai)

Sophora Ku Shen
Paeonia rubra Chi Shao
Paeonia Mu Dan Pi
Tribulus seed Ci Ji Li
Salvia (Dan Shen)
Pit Viper (Bai Hua She)