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Psoriasis

1. Overview and Causes
2. Symptoms
3. TCM Effectiveness and Evaluation
4. Common Syndromes and Treatments in TCM
  a. The Heat in the Blood Type
  b. The Blood-dryness Type
  c. The Blood-stasis Type
  d. The Type of Channel-blockage by Wind..
  e. The Type of Toxic Heat and Dampness
  f. The Type of Excessive Fire-Toxin
5. Healing by Other Therapies
  a. Qigong and other
  b. Medicated diet
  c. Life style
6. Psychological Adaptation


1. Overview and Causes

Psoriasis is a persistent, chronic and recurrent skin disease producing thick red plaques (elevated, flat -topped lesions) often covered by silvery scales - either in small patches or over large areas of the body. The cause of psoriasis is unknown. It seems to show a strong hereditary factor and has some relationship with arthritis (inflammation of the joints) and nail chnages (thickening of nail beds etc.).

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2. Symptoms

(a) Psoriasis is characterized by reddened, raised patches on the skin with silvery scales called plaques.
(b) These clearly defined plaques appear more on the elbows, knees, torso, or scalp, although underarm and genital areas may also be involved.
(c) Patches usually shed large silver-white scales.
(d) The areas on the body affected by psoriasis may be itchy to varying degrees

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3. TCM Effectiveness and Evaluation

**Many cases have been cured effectively by TCM treatments in China. Most of cases can get some improvement after a period of treatment. Acupuncture is seldom used alone for psoriasis; it is often used in conjunction with the herbal remedies.

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4. Common Syndromes and Treatments in TCM

This ailment, according to TCM, has different syndromes. The treatment for these syndromes using herbal medicine and acupuncture is shown below.

Syndrome (a)
The Heat in the Blood Type

The occurrence and growth of the skin rash is considerably rapid, involving large areas, red in colour, and with a great deal of desquamation (coming off in scales). There is distinct itching, accompanied by aversion to heat, restlessness, irritability, a sensation of dryness in the throat, bitterness in the mouth, constipation and yellow urine. The tongue is reddened or dark red with a thin yellow coating. The pulse is rapid.

To treat by Herbal medicine
Therapeutic principle: Herbal medicine helps remove heat from the blood, promote the circulation of blood and expels wind which is causing the psoriasis.

Prescription/Formula: Modified Shuanghua Tulin Yin: Rhizoma smilacis glabrae (tufuling) 30g, Lonicera flower (jinyinhua) 30g, Sophora flower (huaihua)11g, Fresh rehannia (shengdihuang) 15g, Red peony (chishao) 21g, Arnebia (zhicao) 9g, Bupleurum (chaihu) 9g, Scutellaria (huangqin) 15g, Cicada slough (chanyi) 12g, Chinese angelica (danggui) 9g, Red sage root (danshen)21g, Moutan bark (danpi) 12g, Anemarrhena (zhimu) 9g.

  

To treat by Acupuncture and Moxibustion
 Therapeutic principle: Acupuncture or moxibustion can eliminate the heat from the blood by using points mainly from the Large Intestine meridian of Hand Yangming.

Prescription/Formula: Hegu (LI 4), Quchi (LI 11), Xuehai (SP 10), Taichong (LR 3), Sanyinjiao (SP 6).

Point Modification: Add Shaoze (SI 1) and Weizhong (BL 40) for psoriasis in the neck; and Ximen (PC 4) and Laogong (PC 8) for psoriasis in the elbow.

  

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Syndrome (b)
The Blood-dryness Type

**The course is a protracted one. The skin rash has ceased to grow at this stage and in some parts, has disappeared. The skin eruption is dry, its colour has faded and scales reduced. The tongue is pink, covered with scanty or thin white fur. The pulse is weak.

To treat by Herbal medicine
Therapeutic principle: Herbal medicine can enrich the blood, expel wind and moisten dryness.

Prescription/Formula: Modified Yangxue Runfu Ying. Chinese angelica (danggui) 15g, Fresh rehannia (shengdihuang) 15g, Red peony (chishao) 21g, Prepared rehmannia (shudihuang) 15g, White peony (baishao) 9g, Caulis spatholobi (jixueteng) 30g, Scrophularia (xuanshen) 15g, Fleece flower root (heshouwu) 15g, Asparagus root (tiandong) 9g, Ophiopogon root (maidong) 9g, Cortex dictamni radicis (baixianpi) 9g, Tribulus fruit (baijili)9g.

  

To treat by Acupuncture and Moxibustion
Therapeutic principle: Acupuncture or moxibustion helps to reinforce the blood and moisten the dryness by using points mainly from the Spleen meridian of Foot Taiyin.

Prescription/Formula: Sanyinjiao (SP 6), Xuehai (SP 10), Zusanli (ST36).

  

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Syndrome (c)
The Blood-stasis Type

When dealing with the blood-stasis type, the skin eruption persists for a long time; it is usually dark red in colour, or has some pigmentation. The scales are thick and in some cases, the joints do not function properly. The tongue is dark purple with ecchymosis (purple mottling of skin), and the pulse is weak and uneven.

To treat by Herbal medicine
Therapeutic principle: Herbal medicine helps promote blood circulation to remove the blood stasis.

Prescription/Formula: Modified Taohong Siwu Tang. Chinese angelica (danggui) 15g, Fresh rehannia (shengdihuang) 15g, Red peony (chishao) 21g, Ligusticum (chuanxiong) 9g, Peach seed (taoren) 9g, Carthamus (honghua) 9g, Zedoary (Ezhu)9g, Sparganii (sanleng) 9g, Caulis spatholobi (jixueteng) 30g, Red sage root (danshen) 9g.

  

To treat by Acupuncture and Moxibustion
 Therapeutic principle: Acupuncture or moxibustion can promote blood circulation to remove blood stasis by using points mainly from the Bladder meridian of Foot Taiyang and Spleen meridian of Foot Taiyin.

Prescription/Formula: Xuehai (SP 10), Geshu (BL 17), Ganshu (BL 18), Sanyinjiao (SP 6).

  

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Syndrome (d)
The Channel-blockage by Wind-dampness type

The symptoms and signs of the channel-blockage of wind-dampness type are those of the type of psoriasis that affects the joints. This may be arthralgia (pain in joints), joint swelling or even stiffness, a deformation of joints, and a hinderance to movement at the joints as well.

To treat by Herbal medicine
Therapeutic principle: Herbal medicine can expel wind and dampness, promote blood circulation and regulate channels.

Prescription/Formula: Modified Duhuo Jisheng Tang. Ledebouriella root (fangfeng) 9g, Mulbery twig (sangzhi) 30g, Pubescent angelica root (duhuo) 9g, Clematidis root (weilinxian) 9g, Achyranthis bidentatae (niuxi) 9g,Chinese angelica (danggui) 15g, White peony (chishao) 21g, Ligusticum (chuanxiong) 9g, Caulis spatholobi (jixueteng) 30g, Cortex dictamni radicis (baixianpi) 9g, Gentianae macrophyllae root (qinjiao) 9g, Licorice 6g.

  

To treat by Acupuncture and Moxibustion
Therapeutic principle: Acupuncture or moxibustion expels wind and dampness, promotes blood circulation and regulates channels by using points mainly from the Gallbladder meridian of Foot of Shaoyang.

Prescription/Formula: Yanglingquan (GB 34), Fengchi (GB 20), Yinlingquang (SP 9), Geshu (BL 17).

  

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Syndrome (e)
The Toxic Heat and Dampness Type

When dealing with the toxic heat and dampness type, most of the symptoms are similar to those of the pus-pocket type of psoriasis. There may also be erosion, exudation, thirst, fever, constipation and other general symptoms. The tongue is reddened with a yellow, greasy fur. The pulse is taut or slippery.

To treat by Herbal medicine
Therapeutic principle: Herbal medicine can clear away heat and toxic material and remove dampness.

Prescription/Formula: Modified Longdan Xiegan Tang plus Wuwei Xiaodu Yin. Gentiana (longdancao) 9g, Scutellaria (huangqin) 9g, Phellodendron (huangbai) 9g, Capejasmine (zhizi) 9g, lonicera flower (jinyinhua) 30g, Voila (diting)15g, Dandelion (pugongying) 30g, Chrysanthemum (juhua) 15g, Forsythia (lianqiao) 9g, Plantain seed (cheqianzi) 9g, Alisma (zexie)9g, Clematis seed (mutong)6g.

  

To treat by Acupuncture and Moxibustion
Therapeutic principle: Acupuncture or moxibustion clears away heat and toxic material and removes dampness by using points mainly from the Large Intestine meridian of Hand Yangming.

Prescription/Formula: Hegu (LI 4), Quchi (LI 11), dazhui (DU 14), Yinlingquan (SP 9), Xingjian (LR 2).

  

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Syndrome (f)
The Excessive Fire-Toxin Type

The symptoms of this type of psoriasis are those of the erythroderma (red skin) type. The skin all over the body is diffuse, flushed or dark red, with vast amounts of desquamation (coming off in scales) and a burning-heat sensation. Protracted cases have moist and thick skin lesions, often accompanied by fever, aversion to cold, restlessness, thirst, constipation, frequent urination and yellow urine. The tongue would be dark red, with little or no coating, while the pulse is slippery and quick.

To treat by Herbal medicine
Therapeutic principle: Clear away heat toxin from the blood.

Prescription/Formula: Modified Qingying Tang. Fresh rehannia (shengdihuang) 30g, Red peony (chishao) 15g, Scrophularia (xuanshen) 15g, lonicera flower (jinyinhua) 30g, Moutan bark (danpi) 9g, Dandelion (pugongying) 30g, Forsythia (lianqiao) 15g,Coptis (huanglian) 6g, Licorice (gancao)6g.

  

To treat by Acupuncture and Moxibustion
 Therapeutic principle: Clear away heat toxin from the blood by using points mainly from the Large Intestine meridian of Hand Yangming and Du channel.

Prescription/Formula: Quchi (LI 11), Dazhui (DU14), Hegu (LI 4), Taichong (LR 3), Neiting (ST44).

  

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5. Healing by Other Therapies

(a) Qigong and other therapies

For effect of Qigong on Metabolism, click here.

Generally speaking, Qigong is good for healing effect of this specific ailment, however individual results may vary. It improves the flow of the qi and the circulation of the blood, so you'll experience more energy, but, you won't see/ feel any immediate effects, as with many exercises and therapies, it takes a few weeks or even months of practice before you'll see any significant improvements.

The following types of Qigong may help:

For the information of different types of Qigong ,just click a link above.

This information is for education purpose only. We strongly advise you seek a licensed Qigong master to learn the correct ways to conduct these exercises before attempting them.


(b) Medicated diet
1. Chinese angelica (danggui) 3g, Lightyellow Sophora Root(kushen) 6g, (xiaohuma) 6g. Decoct the herbs 30 minutes, drink the soup as tea daily, unlimited amount.
2. Eat more vegetables, fruit and try to keep the digestive canal free from disturbance.


(c) Life style
1. Refrain from drinking alcoholic beverages and soft drinks or eating irritating food with a pungent hot taste. Eat more fruits and vegetables and try to keep the digestive canal free of disturbance.
2. Try to reduce emotional stress.
3. Infections, such as upper respiratory infections, may aggravate psoriasis. Try to avoid catching a cold or the flu.
4. Get enough sleep.

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6. Psychological Adaptation to a Chronic and Severe Illness
One encounters different health problems in the course of one's life. Some problems are acute yet minor and often improve by themselves or yield to simple self-management. Severe and acute conditions often necessitate the help of health professionals who may provide fast relief with specific interventions. However, when the condition is chronic, the management required is quite different.

Please click the following button to learn "Psychological Adaptation to a Chronic and Severe Illness".

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Acknowledgments:
Healthphone.com greatly acknowledges the support and dedication of our
Healing Centre Panel, without whom this section would not be possible.

We also greatly acknowedge Ms. Najaf Munir, MBBS, for her editorial support. Ms. Munir simplified the highly technical medical documents into easy-to-read documents, for the enjoyment and education of our numerous visitors.