How to Treat Psoriasis with Traditional Chinese Medicine?

Most symptoms of psoriasis manifest on the skin, and Western medicine treats psoriasis mainly through skin-related treatments. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is a more traditional treatment approach that considers not only the skin manifestations but also the different types of psoriasis. TCM emphasizes syndrome differentiation in treatment and adopts different methods for different types of psoriasis. So, what are the TCM treatment methods for psoriasis?

TCM believes that blood heat and dampness-toxicity are the fundamental causes of psoriasis. Unlike Western medicine, which focuses only on the skin manifestations, TCM delves deeper into the pathophysiology. TCM not only addresses blood-related issues but also investigates the heat and dryness, as well as blood stasis, in the blood, which are caused by functional disorders and imbalances of yin and yang.

TCM adopts a dialectical attitude towards psoriasis symptoms. It emphasizes the need to first regulate the functions of the five internal organs before treating the psoriasis itself. The principle of "constant principles for changing conditions" is applied to address the imbalance of yin and yang. This is achieved by strengthening the deficient and draining the excessive, correcting the abnormal phenomena of yin and yang, and restoring the disordered functions of the viscera to a relatively balanced state.

Currently, TCM treatment for psoriasis is highly reliable. It adopts syndrome differentiation and treatment based on the different types and manifestations of the disease. Therefore, it is essential to observe the tongue and take the pulse. Depending on the type of psoriasis, different treatment principles are adopted. For example, for blood-heat type psoriasis, methods to clear heat and cool the blood are primarily used. For blood-dryness type psoriasis, the treatment focuses on clearing heat, cooling the blood, nourishing yin, and lubricating dryness. For psoriasis with dark red patches and a long duration, treatments that promote blood circulation and remove blood stasis are employed. For psoriasis accompanied by joint pain and severe dampness, treatments that clear heat, cool the blood, remove dampness, detoxify, and relieve pain are prescribed. It is crucial to consult a TCM practitioner to determine the appropriate treatment principles for different types of psoriasis.