Methods of Traditional Chinese Medicine for Treating Acne

TCM treatment of acne can be improved through physical conditioning, oral Chinese medicine, external therapy, acupuncture and moxibustion cupping, diet regulation and other ways. Acne in traditional Chinese medicine belongs to the category of acne, which is often related to factors such as lung heat, blood heat, damp heat accumulation, liver depression and fire transformation, or imbalance of Chong and Ren.

1. Regulating constitution

Traditional Chinese medicine believes that recurrent acne is related to constitution bias. Lung heat constitution often leads to forehead acne with dry mouth and tongue, and can be treated with modified loquat clear lung drink; Pustular acne is common in damp heat constitution, with yellow and greasy tongue coating. Yinchenhao decoction combined with Wuwei disinfectant drink is commonly used; Patients with liver depression are often accompanied by premenstrual aggravation and emotional fluctuations. It is recommended to use Xiaoyao Powder to soothe the liver and relieve depression. Physical conditioning should last for 1-3 months, and regular follow-up visits are needed to adjust the prescription.

2. Oral administration of traditional Chinese medicine

For lung meridian wind heat type, loquat clear lung granules combined with tanshinone capsules are used. For gastrointestinal damp heat type, Fangfeng Tongsheng Pill is selected. For phlegm stasis coagulation type, Dahuang Zhechong Pill can be used. Common medicinal herbs include heat clearing and detoxifying drugs such as honeysuckle, Forsythia suspensa, and Hedyotis diffusa, blood activating and stasis removing drugs such as Danshen and Chishao, as well as spleen strengthening and dampness removing drugs such as Atractylodes macrocephala and Poria cocos. It should be noted that some traditional Chinese medicines such as rhubarb should not be taken for a long time, and blood activating prescriptions should be suspended during menstruation.

3. Topical therapy

can be used to apply Jinhuang San tea water to inflammatory acne, reverse scattered sesame oil to apply to pustules, and apply Sanhuang detergent wet to red and swollen acne. Traditional Chinese medicine facial mask such as Qibai Powder (Angelica dahurica, Cayratia japonica, etc.) should be used twice a week to weaken acne marks, and sensitive muscles should be tried first. Traditional Chinese medicine fumigation uses medicinal herbs such as chrysanthemum and mint, which are suitable for oily skin, but should be used with caution for those with facial flushing.

4. acupuncture and moxibustion cupping

Acupuncture at Dazhui, Quchi and other points to clear lung heat, Xuehai and Sanyinjiao regulate endocrine, and auricular point sticking selects endocrine, lung and other reflex areas. Perform cupping surgery along the bladder meridian on the back to improve acne on the back. For those with severe blood stasis, use cupping therapy. Acupuncture and moxibustion needs 10 times as a course of treatment, and treatment is suspended during menstruation. Bleeding therapy is prohibited for patients with coagulation dysfunction.

5. Diet regulation

Avoid spicy, high sugar and high-fat foods, and recommend mung bean and barley porridge to clear heat and damp, honeysuckle dew to replace tea, and cold mixed dandelion to clear heat and detoxify. Blood stasis type can drink rose hawthorn tea, while spleen deficiency type is suitable for yam and lotus seed soup. Drink enough plain water daily, avoid eating at night to increase gastrointestinal burden, and maintain smooth bowel movements. Traditional Chinese medicine treatment for acne should be persisted for 3-6 months. During the treatment period, avoid squeezing the acne, wash your face with warm water, and choose non irritating skincare products. Maintain a regular schedule and a relaxed mood, and female patients should pay attention to the impact of menstrual cycle changes on acne. If severe skin lesions such as cysts and nodules occur or do not heal for a long time, it is recommended to cooperate with comprehensive dermatological treatment.