Healing Eczema with Acupuncture & Herbs
Eczema and inflammatory skin conditions can be persistent and frustrating. While topical creams and medications may provide temporary relief, they often fail to address why the skin is inflamed in the first place.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), eczema is viewed as a reflection of internal imbalance. Acupuncture and herbal medicine work by correcting those imbalances—treating the root cause, not just the surface symptoms.
Understanding Eczema Through a TCM Lens
In TCM, the skin is a mirror of what’s happening internally. Eczema is commonly associated with dysfunction in digestion, circulation, and fluid metabolism.
Two primary TCM patterns are most often seen in eczema:
Spleen Qi Deficiency with Dampness
Blood and Yin Deficiency with Heat
Each pattern presents differently and requires a specific treatment approach.
Common TCM Patterns Associated with Eczema
1. Spleen Qi Deficiency with Dampness
The Spleen is responsible for digestion and fluid metabolism. When it becomes weak, fluids accumulate and turn into dampness, which can surface through the skin.
Common signs include:
Oozing or weeping eczema
Fluid-filled or swollen lesions
Puffiness around affected areas
Fatigue and sluggish digestion
A heavy sensation in the body or limbs
Treatment focus:
Acupuncture strengthens the Spleen, improves digestion, and transforms dampness—helping the skin dry, heal, and stabilize.
2. Blood & Yin Deficiency with Heat
Blood and Yin nourish and moisten the skin. When they are deficient, the skin becomes dry and vulnerable. Without enough cooling fluids, internal heat rises and creates inflammation.
Common signs include:
Dry, scaly, or flaky skin
Red, inflamed patches
Intense itching (often worse at night)
Restlessness or irritability
Treatment focus:
Acupuncture nourishes Blood and Yin, clears internal heat, and calms inflammation—allowing the skin to regenerate and soften.
The Role of Key Organs in Skin Health
In TCM, healthy skin depends on the balanced function of three main organ systems:
Lungs
Govern the skin and pores
Regulate fluids and immune defense (Wei Qi)
Vent heat from the surface
When Lung function is impaired, heat and dryness become trapped in the skin.
Spleen
Governs digestion and fluid metabolism
Weak Spleen function leads to dampness and toxin accumulation
This often shows up as weepy or swollen eczema.
Liver
Regulates the smooth flow of Qi and Blood
Liver stagnation or heat can trigger flare-ups, redness, and itching
Acupuncture harmonizes all three systems to create lasting improvement.
How Acupuncture Helps Eczema
Acupuncture works by restoring balance to the body’s internal environment. For eczema and inflammatory skin conditions, acupuncture can:
Clear internal heat to reduce redness and itching
Transform dampness to resolve oozing lesions
Nourish Blood and Yin for healthy, hydrated skin
Calm the nervous system to reduce stress-related flare-ups
Support immune regulation
Treatment plans often include:
Weekly acupuncture for 4–6 weeks
Followed by maintenance care (1–2 treatments per month)
Custom herbal formulas to continue healing between visits
Acupuncture and herbs work synergistically, addressing both the internal terrain and the visible symptoms.
5 Dietary & Nutrition Tips for Eczema
Diet is a powerful tool in TCM skin care. While treatment is always individualized, these guidelines often help reduce flare-ups:
1. Avoid Dampness-Producing Foods
Limit dairy, fried foods, greasy foods, and excess sugar, which can worsen inflammation and dampness.
2. Incorporate Cooling Foods
Foods like cucumber, pears, watermelon, and mung beans help clear internal heat.
3. Nourish Blood & Yin
Support dry, irritated skin with black sesame seeds, goji berries, and dark leafy greens.
4. Strengthen the Spleen with Warm Foods
Soups, stews, congee, sweet potatoes, carrots, and ginger support digestion and prevent dampness.
5. Hydrate with Herbal Teas
Chrysanthemum, dandelion, and mint teas help cool inflammation and support skin health.
A Root-Cause Approach to Healing Skin
Eczema is not just a skin issue—it’s a whole-body imbalance. Acupuncture offers a holistic, effective approach by addressing digestion, circulation, inflammation, and the nervous system together.
By combining acupuncture, herbal medicine, and dietary adjustments, many people experience:
Fewer flare-ups
Less itching and redness
Healthier, more resilient skin
If you or someone you love struggles with eczema, acupuncture may offer the long-term relief you’ve been searching for—by healing the body from the inside out.
Interested in learning how acupuncture can support your skin? Reach out to schedule a consultation and begin restoring balance.
