Traditional Chinese Medicine for Healthier Skin
Healthy skin reflects the overall balance of the body. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), skin conditions are not viewed as isolated problems affecting only the skin. Instead, they are often associated with imbalances involving the Lung, Spleen, Liver and Kidney, together with disturbances of Qi, Blood, Yin and Yang.

 

A classical principle in TCM states:

"What is happening inside the body will eventually be reflected on the outside."
Rather than simply suppressing symptoms, TCM aims to identify and address the underlying pattern of imbalance.

 

Treatment is tailored to each individual and focuses on improving overall health while helping to relieve symptoms and reduce the likelihood of recurrence.

At Doctor Zhou Chinese Medicine Clinic, treatment may include a combination of:

Herbal medicine
Acupuncture
Cupping therapy
Moxibustion
Therapeutic massage (Tuina)
Lifestyle and dietary advice

Conditions We Commonly Treat
1. Eczema (Atopic Dermatitis)
How TCM Understands Eczema
In TCM, eczema is commonly associated with an accumulation of Wind, Dampness and Heat during the early stages of the condition. As eczema becomes chronic, prolonged inflammation may consume the body's Blood and Yin, leading to dryness, persistent itching and recurrent flare-ups.

Different patients may present with different underlying patterns, including:

Wind-Damp-Heat
Damp-Heat affecting the skin
Spleen Qi deficiency with Dampness
Blood deficiency with Wind-Dryness

 

Treatment Principles
Treatment is tailored according to the stage of the condition.

During acute flare-ups:

Clear Heat
Eliminate Dampness
Relieve itching
Reduce inflammation

 

For chronic eczema:

Strengthen the Spleen
Nourish Blood and Yin
Moisturise the skin
Reduce recurrent itching

 

Potential Benefits of TCM Treatment
Many patients seek TCM to help:

Reduce itching
Calm inflamed skin
Support the skin's natural barrier function
Improve sleep disturbed by itching
Reduce dependence on topical steroid creams (where appropriate under medical supervision)
Help reduce the frequency of flare-ups

2. Psoriasis
How TCM Understands Psoriasis
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, psoriasis develops through several stages.

Early in the disease, Heat in the Blood predominates. As the condition progresses, Blood Stasis, Dryness and Wind become increasingly important. Long-standing cases are often associated with deficiencies of the Liver and Kidney.

TCM therefore considers the interaction of:

Blood Heat
Blood Stasis
Blood Dryness
Wind Dryness
throughout the course of the disease.

 

Treatment Principles
Treatment varies according to disease activity.

Active stage

Cool the Blood
Clear Heat
Reduce inflammation
Stable stage

Improve circulation
Nourish Blood
Moisturise the skin
Recovery and long-term management

Support Liver and Kidney function
Restore balance of Qi and Blood
Promote longer remission

 

Potential Benefits
Treatment aims to help:

Reduce inflammation
Improve redness and scaling
Relieve itching
Extend periods of remission
Reduce recurrence
Improve quality of life

3. Acne
How TCM Understands Acne
Acne is commonly associated with Heat affecting the Lung and Stomach meridians. In more persistent cases, Dampness, Phlegm and Blood Stasis may also contribute.

For some women, acne may also be influenced by hormonal imbalance and emotional stress, leading to stagnation of Liver Qi.

 

Common TCM Patterns
Wind-Heat affecting the Lung
Damp-Heat in the Stomach and Intestines
Phlegm and Blood Stasis
Liver Qi stagnation transforming into Heat

 

Treatment Principles
Treatment may include:

• Clearing Heat
• Eliminating toxins
• Reducing Dampness
• Improving circulation
• Regulating hormonal balance where appropriate

 

Potential Benefits
Patients may experience improvements in:

Spots and pustules

Redness and inflammation

Excess oil production

Hormonal-related acne

Recovery of acne marks

Long-term skin health

4. Dry Skin & Chronic Itching (Pruritus)
How TCM Understands Chronic Itching
Persistent dry skin and itching are common in older adults and may also occur following chronic illness, stress, poor sleep or prolonged recovery from disease.

In TCM, these symptoms are frequently associated with:

Blood deficiency
Yin deficiency
Wind-Dryness
Liver and Kidney deficiency

 

The classical medical text Huangdi Neijing states:

"To treat Wind, first treat the Blood; when Blood flows freely, Wind naturally subsides."

 

Treatment Principles
Treatment focuses on:

• Nourishing Blood
• Enriching Yin
• Moisturising the skin
• Relieving itching
• Suitable For
  This approach may be particularly helpful for:

Age-related itching
Winter dry skin
Recovery from eczema
Itching associated with diabetes (alongside management of the underlying condition)

 

Potential Benefits
Treatment may help:

Improve skin hydration
Strengthen the skin barrier
Reduce itching
Improve sleep
Reduce scratching and skin damage
Lower the risk of recurrence

Why Choose Traditional Chinese Medicine?
Traditional Chinese Medicine takes a whole-person approach rather than focusing solely on the visible skin symptoms.

Our treatment philosophy includes:
Personalised Treatment
- Every patient receives an individual diagnosis based on their symptoms, constitution, medical history and overall health.

Treating the Root Cause
- Rather than simply relieving symptoms, TCM aims to restore internal balance involving the Lung, Spleen, Liver and Kidney.

Reducing Recurrence
- Improving constitutional health may help reduce the frequency and severity of future flare-ups.

Supporting Skin Repair
- Herbal medicine and acupuncture may help support the body's natural healing processes and improve the skin barrier.

Integrative Care
- Where appropriate, TCM can complement conventional medical treatment. Patients with severe symptoms, infection or other medical conditions should continue to work closely with their GP or dermatologist.

Consultation & Treatment Costs
Traditional Chinese Medicine follows the principle of individualised treatment.

Your treatment plan will be based on:

• The type of skin condition
• Duration of symptoms
• Severity
• Age
• General health and constitution
• Previous treatments and medications

Because every prescription is individually prepared, costs vary between patients.

 

Herbal Medicine
Herbal medicine is one of the ways for skin conditions treatment. Typical herbal medicine costs are approximately:

£50–£75 per week

depending on the prescription.

Treatment plans will be discussed during your consultation.

Important Information
Many chronic skin conditions develop over time and often require a course of treatment rather than a single session. Regular reviews allow your treatment to be adjusted as your condition changes.

For patients with severe disease, infection or complex medical conditions, we recommend an integrated approach combining conventional medical care with Traditional Chinese Medicine, where appropriate.