What are the methods of TCM to treat acne?

Acne is a common problem during adolescence, which is a type of closed acne. In addition to improving diet, acne can also be relieved through traditional Chinese medicine. The effect of traditional Chinese medicine in treating acne is quite obvious. The treatment methods are different for acne caused by different reasons.

1. Lung and stomach heat accumulation syndrome

Symptoms include multiple red papules, acne, or small pustules on the face, mild itching and pain; accompanied by thirst, constipation, short and red urine; red tongue with thin yellow coating, and rapid pulse.

The treatment should focus on clearing away heat and toxins from the lungs and stomach; use more herbs such as Coptis chinensis, loquat leaves, mulberry bark, and Phellodendron chinense.

2. Dampness and heat in the stomach and intestines

Symptoms include oily skin on the face, chest and back, red, swollen and painful rash with occasional pustules and red nodules; accompanied by bitter taste in the mouth, bad breath, and constipation; red tongue with yellow greasy coating, and slippery and rapid pulse.

The treatment should focus on clearing away heat, removing dampness and detoxifying; use more herbs such as Coptis chinensis, Scutellaria baicalensis, Phellodendron chinense, Gardenia jasminoides, Artemisia capillaris, and Rhubarb.

3. Liver depression and blood stasis syndrome

Symptoms include dark red papules, small pustules, blackheads, dark red nodules, etc., which are mostly found on both sides of the face and mandible; accompanied by irritability, distension and pain in the ribs, dark menstrual blood with blood clots, and dysmenorrhea in women. There are also symptoms of premenstrual breast pain and worsening rash; the tongue is dark red with ecchymosis on the edges and tip, and the pulse is stringy or thin.

The treatment should be to soothe the liver and relieve depression, promote blood circulation and remove blood stasis; use more bupleurum, white peony root, tangerine peel, angelica, peach kernel, etc.

4. Phlegm and Blood Stasis Syndrome

Symptoms include dark red rash, acne, papules, pustules, nodules, cysts, abscesses, and scars, which are difficult to heal; accompanied by chest tightness and abdominal distension; dark red tongue, yellow greasy tongue coating, and a wiry and slippery pulse.

The treatment should be to remove dampness and resolve phlegm, promote blood circulation and disperse nodules; use Pinellia, Tangerine Peel, Poria, Angelica, White Peony Root, Peach Kernel, Bupleurum, etc.

5. External Therapy

1. For those with more sebum secretion, more rashes, red papules, acne, and pustules, you can mix Xinhuang tablets with cool boiled water and apply them to the affected area.

2. For abscesses, cysts and nodules, apply golden ointment externally.

3. The use of Chinese herbal masks for clearing away heat, detoxifying, reducing swelling and dispersing nodules requires treatment in the hospital.

Other treatments

1. Acupuncture and bloodletting therapy.

2. Blood acupuncture and cupping therapy.

3. Ear acupoint pressure method.