Chinese Medicine Perspective on Skin Conditions

I’m an East Asian Medicine Doctor. I’ve been practicing for six years and have experience treating different skin conditions (eczema, psoriasis, acne, rashes, etc.). I really empathize with those who are dealing with skin conditions, because besides the physical discomfort, it can be very emotionally difficult. You want to present your best self, but you feel like your skin is betraying you.

Now, with Chinese Medicine, every patient is unique and treatment is customized to each patient. It’s important to see a practitioner and work with them closely on your healthcare journey. That is why if a group of patients were to all come in to the clinic and have eczema as their chief complaint, I would not prescribe them all the same herbal formula, for each person’s condition is nuanced. Therefore, please understand I will refrain from giving any herbal medicine advice/recommendations in this post.

However, I will delve into what is the root cause of most skin conditions and how we can and should approach it from a dietary standpoint. For all the patients in which we’ve successfully treated their skin conditions it required commitment to 1) regular acupuncture treatment (at least 6 months), 2) consistent herbal medicine intake, and 3) dietary and lifestyle changes.

What causes most skin conditions?

Spleen Qi Deficiency - In TCM, the Spleen is considered the chief digestive organ. It is responsible for transporting and transforming the proper nutrients we need for postnatal Qi. I tell my patients to think of the Spleen as a digestive furnace. It likes warm, cooked food. When we eat raw and cold food and beverages, that tends to douse the fire. Now, the Spleen has to work twice as hard to warm up the food and drinks you’ve ingested and then break it down for its nutrients. When the Spleen’s digestive function is impaired, that can lead to damp.

Damp - Damp is a pathological substance in the body that can arise from improper diet and lifestyle habits. Our digestive system is related to earth and we need healthy soil to continue to get the nutrients we need. When our digestive system is impaired due to improper diet and/or lifestyle, then the soil isn’t properly fertilized. I tell my patients to think of damp as a heavy, mud-like substance, that is stored in the body. It can cause patients to feel heavy and lethargic. It’s not always physically visible; in some conditions, it can manifest physically like phlegm or increased vaginal discharge.

Heat - Excess heat can be caused by improper diet and lifestyle habits such as frequently eating spicy foods or drinking alcohol. Excess heat can also be caused by emotional stress.

What foods should I avoid?

Foods that induce Damp:

• Dairy

• Refined, processed sugar

• Gluten/Wheat

• Beer

• Greasy Food

• Fried Food

• Raw Food

• Cold Food and Beverages (i.e. Warm or room temperature water is recommended)

• Bananas

Foods that induce Heat:

• Alcohol

• Coffee

• Spicy Food

• Fried Food

• Nuts, esp. peanuts and peanut butter

• Black Pepper and warming spices

• Onions

• Garlic

• Lamb

• Beef

• Shellfish

What foods can I eat?

• Essentially foods that are more neutral are good for your while you’re trying to clear your skin up.

• Cooked leafy greens

• Bittermelon or bittermelon tea

• Azuki and mung beans

• Sweet potatoes

• Corn

• Tofu

• Chicken

• Pork

• Fish

• Apples

• Pears

• Rice and barley are fine with diet

What lifestyle habits should I implement?

• Eat on time to help foster Spleen Qi (i.e. don’t eat your lunch at 3pm).

• Don’t eat close to your bedtime. This can cause disharmony to your Spleen and Stomach and you won’t rest well.

• Go to bed early (ideally by 10pm).

• Try to manage your stress - exercise, practice Qi Gong, practice yoga, and/or meditate.