Eczema - Chinese Medicine explanation and treatment
There are many different types of this eczema, which in Chinese Medicine is associated
with the lungs, stomach, heart and blood. One type of eczema is caused according to Chinese Medicine, by damp heat,
where the skin is weeping and there is a discharge with a sensation of heat
and itchiness. In Chinese Medicine theory another kind of eczema is caused by heat in the blood, where dryness, redness
and itchiness are the symptoms and the third kind, is caused by wind, and is an
allergy where the skin erupts.
Chinese Medicine treatment for the different types of eczema is given accordingly. Oriental wormwood or Chinese gentian, peony root and rehmannia are used for the eczema caused by wind. Schizonepeta and ledebouriella root are often chosen for other types of eczema.
There are other more complicated forms of eczema. A Chinese Medicine practitioner will diagnose these and treat accordingly. Eczema usually responds well to Chinese Medicine, although it should be stressed that it does not work in every case. Chinese Herbal tea, or herbal remedies in pill form can be prescribed, but because eczema cases can vary so much from patient to patient, it is advisable to have a personal consultation with a Chinese Medicine practitioner. There could never be one prescription for all eczema patients.
Verified studies in China and Britain
have shown that Chinese herbs are totally safe and have no serious side
effects. There have been some reports of liver damage caused by Chinese
herbal medicine, but in these cases it has been found that the doctors prescribing
the herbs were either not qualified, or not fully experienced in treating
Western patients. That's why it always important to see a Chinese Medicine practitioner who
has a lot of experience of treating Western patients and has the expertise
to know how to give safe and effective prescriptions.
Professor Song Ke
