Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsPrinciplesTypesSide EffectsSafety
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Principles
Types
Side Effects
Safety
Even so, there are risks associated with the use of Chinese herbs, including the risk of liver toxicity from imported and unregulated TCM drugs.
BSIP / Getty Images
Principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine for Psoriasis
Psoriasis is anautoimmune diseasein which the body’s immune system attacks skin cells, increasing the rate ofcellular turnover(the process of producing new skin cells to replace old ones). As a result, skin cells are produced faster than they can be shed, causing them to pile up on the surface of the skin and form itchy, scalyplaques.
In Western medicine, psoriasis is largelytreated with medicationsthat temper the overactive immune response. With TCM, the principles for treatment differ.
Cause of Psoriasis in TCM
In TCM, there are 38 types of psoriasis classified under four broad categories. Each of the categories describes abnormalities in the blood which practitioners contend is the root cause of the disease.
These four types are progressive with one type leading to the other in different patterns.
However, the pattern of progression (or regression) can vary. Depending on the pattern,bai bincan take any one of the 38 different forms.
Treatment Philosophy
In TCM, the treatment is focused on restoring the balance betweenyinandyangwith herbs or practices likeacupuncture. The choice (and aim) of treatment is based on the type ofbai binthe practitioner diagnoses.
Based on the TCM philosophy:
Because TCM is based largely on impressions, personal experiences, and practices handed down from one generation to the next, different practitioners may recommend different herbs.
Examples of Chinese herbs commonly prescribed for psoriasis include:
TCM remedies are often mixed and matched to target individual imbalances. If blood heat is the primary concern, herbs that clear heat would be used in greater quantity than those used to relieve stasis or dryness.
Types of Chinese Herbs for Psoriasis
Despite the longstanding use of Chinese herbs for psoriasis, there is little robust evidence of their benefits. The available research, mostly involving animals or test tubes, does suggest that certain TCM remedies show promise.
Wen Qing Yin
Wen Qing Yinis a combination herbal remedy first recorded during the Ming dynasty. Used to treat blood heat and stasis, it is one of the most frequently prescribed remedies for psoriasis made with a combination of:
Studies suggest thatWen Qing Yinmay reduce hypersensitivity reactions that can lead topsoriasis flares (exacerbations). By doing so, the body may be less likely to react to common triggers like stress, infection, or allergies.
Xiao Feng San
Xiao Feng San, also known as “wind dispersing powder,” is another combination remedy used to cool blood. It is made up of no less than 12 ingredients, including:
Xiao Feng Sanis one of the most prescribed TCM remedies forurticaria(hives) andatopic dermatitis(the most common form of eczema).In lab studies, it has been shown to block the release of an inflammatory chemical calledhistaminethat contributes to itchiness in psoriasis.
Bai Xian Pi
Bai xian pinis regarded as one of the most effective heat-clearing herbs. Some animal studies suggest it can help reduce skin thickening (cutaneous hyperplasia) that commonly occurs with plaque psoriasis. Other lab studies have shown that it may also block histamine release in the same way asXiao Feng San.
Bai Hua She She Cao
Bai hua she she caoderived from snake-needle grass (Herba hedyotis) is thought to have potent blood-cooling properties. It is used in TCM to treat a wide range of digestive disorders, includingintestinal abscessesandstomach ulcers. It can also help with certain skin conditions.
Lab studies conducted in 2017 showed thatbai hua she she caois able to reduce inflammatory compounds associated with psoriasis, such astumor necrosis factor. By doing so, the herbal remedy may not only be able to ease psoriasis symptoms but also reduce the risk of flares.
Mu Dan Pi
Mu dan piis the root and stem of the Mouton peony flower (Paeonia suffruticoas). As a single herb, it is used to alleviate blood heat and stasis. The Chinese herb is used for many medical conditions, including the treatment ofamenorrhea(absence of menstrual periods) andinflammatory bowel disease (IBD)and the reduction of fever, headache, and eye pain.
For psoriasis,mu dan pihas been shown in animal studies to reduce levels of TNF in the same way asbai hua she she cao.
Zi Cao
Lab and animal studies suggest thatzi caohas potent anti-inflammatory effects that can help ease psoriasis symptoms. It contains a substance calledshikoninthat appears to block the production of inflammatory chemicals calledcytokinesthat contribute to psoriasis flares. It may also prevent a type of cytokine, called interleukin, from binding to skin cells.
Di Fu Zi
Di fu ziis made from the fruit of the broom cypress shrub (Kochia scoparia). The herb, used to clear damp heat, may reducepruritus(itchiness) associated with eczema,scabies, and other skin conditions.This can reduce scratching which can make psoriasis work.
Side Effects and Risks
Chinese herbs used in TCM may cause side effects. A 2023 review inFrontiers of Pharmacology,which investigated the use of Chinese herbs forchronic hives,reported that the most common side effects were:
While no serious side effects were noted, the researchers noted that the rate of side effects from Chinese herbs was equal to or greater than the rate seen with prescription drugs commonly used to treat chronic hives.
How to Choose
There remains significant concern about the safety of imported Chinese herbs given the limited regulation of dietary supplements in the United States.
According to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, some imported Chinese remedies have been found to be tainted with heavy metals, pesticides, sulfites, and even drugs. Some of the contaminated remedies have even been known to cause severe liver damage.
To ease consumer concerns about the safety of imported herbs, some manufacturers in Taiwan and China provide certificates of origin and purity. While this should not be regarded as a 100% guarantee of safety, it may help you choose between one brand and another.
Summary
Seven Chinese herbal remedies commonly prescribed for psoriasis include the combination preparationsWen Qing YinandXiao Feng Sanand the single-herb remediesbai xian pin, bai hua she she cao, mu dan pi, zi cao,anddi fu zi.
3 Natural Remedies for Psoriasis
12 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
American Academy of Dermatology Association.Psoriasis: causes.
Su Y, Qin W, Wu L, et al.A review of Chinese medicine for the treatment of psoriasis: principles, methods and analysis.Chin Med.2021;16:138. doi:10.1186/s13020-021-00550-y
Parker S, Zhang CS, Yu JJ, Lu C, Zhang AL, Xue CC.Oral Chinese herbal medicine versus placebo for psoriasis vulgaris: a systematic review.J Dermatol Treat. 2017;28(1):21-31.
Zhang J, Yu Q, Peng L, Qin Y.Benefits and safety of Chinese herbal medicine in treating psoriasis: an overview of systematic reviews.Frontiers Pharmocol.2021;12:680172. doi:10.3389/fphar.2021.680172
Chen G, Zhao J, Chen T, et al.Efficacy and safety of Xiaofeng powder (xiao feng san) in treating urticaria: a protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.Medicine (Baltimore).2018 Nov 9;97(45):e13039. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000013039
Wang Z, Wang ZZ, Geliebter J, et al.Traditional Chinese medicine for food allergy and eczema.Ann Allergies Asthma Immunol.2021;126(6):639-654. doi:10.1016/j.anai.2020.12.002
Zhang Y, Liang Y, He C.Anticancer activities and mechanisms of heat-clearing and detoxicating traditional Chinese herbal medicine.Chin Med.2017;12: 20. doi:10.1186/s13020-017-0140-2
Chen TF, Hsu JT, Wu KC, et al.A systematic identification of anti-inflammatory active components derived from Mu Dan Pi and their applications in inflammatory bowel disease.Sci Rep. 2020 Oct 14;10(1):17238. doi:10.1038/s41598-020-74201-x
Sun Q, Gong T, Liu M, et al.Shikonin, a naphthalene ingredient: therapeutic actions, pharmacokinetics, toxicology, clinical trials and pharmaceutical researches.Phytomedicine.2022;94:153805. doi:10.1016/j.phymed.2021.153805
Wang J, Chen Y, Yang X, et al.Efficacy and safety of Chinese herbal medicine in the treatment of chronic pruritus: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.Front Pharmacol. 2023 Jan 12;13:1029949. doi:10.3389/fphar.2022.1029949
National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.Traditional Chinese medicine.
Meet Our Medical Expert Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
What is your feedback?
