by Evelyn Blaken

Created on: November 19, 2008

Traditional Chinese Medicine and Genital Psoriasis

What is Psoriasis?

Psoriasis is a common chronic non-contageous dermatological condition found in the UK and other countries of the world. More often than not, there is no definite reason why people develop this skin disease. Psoriasis on the skin is characterised by grey scales of dead skin build up, raised red macules and itching. In the genital area however the scales may not be present. People with genital psoriasis may have it only in the genital area or on other parts also.

Traditional Chinese Medicine and Psoriasis

Chinese medicine's main treatment modality for psoriasis is usually the use of internally administered Chinese herbal medicines and external washes or creams. Acupuncture is less frequently used for this condition. Traditional Chinese Medicine classifies psoriasis into one of several different patterns (syndrome differentiations) depending on what other symptoms are present. Ie more heat than damp, or more stagnation.

In Chinese Medicine Psoriasis is generally considered to be the result of the chinese concepts of heat and dryness affecting the blood level and resulting in stagnation and the occurence of wind and toxins, which become trapped (causing the itching and scaled skin). Dampness is also a key factor. Therefore treatment principles aim to dispel wind from the skin and clear excessive dampness, whilst moistening the dryness and invigorating the movement of blood to clear stagnation. An individual treatment plan is tailored by a Chinese Medicine Practitioner to match each patients individual symptoms. Genital psoriasis generally responds well to treatment.

Chinese herbal medicines used to treat Psoriasis are often made up to suit each individual, although there are patent chinese herbal medicines available and these may be selected for use instead where suitable. Some commonly used herbs contained in the herbal medicines may be as follows:

*Chinese Foxglove (Rehmannia Glutinosa)

* Chinese Angelica Root (Angelica Sinensis)

*Red Rooted Sage (Salvia Miltiorrhiza)

* Chinese Dittany (Dictamnus Dasycarpus)

* Glabrous Greenbrier (Smilax Glabra)

* Spreading Yedyotis (Oldenlandia Diffusa)

* Ameba Euchroma (Lithospermum Erythrorhizon)

* Peony Root (Paeonia Lactiflora)

* Safflower (Carthamus Tinctorius)

* Liquorice (Glycyrrhiza Uralensis)

NOTE: It is important if you use herbal medicines to remeber that some ingredients can make people more sensitive to UV light which can be problematic if a patient is undergoing

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