30 DEC 2020
What is Acne?
Acne is a skin condition that usually occurs on the face, chest, upper back, and shoulders. It happens when the hair follicles are clogged with oil and dead skin cells. The typical features of acne are whiteheads, blackheads, or pimples. It is commonly seen among teenagers, though it affects people of all ages.
Acne can lead to scarring of the skin, lower one’s self-esteem, and causes emotional distress. Since there are many causes of acne, there exist many different approaches to treating it. TCM diagnostic and treatment uses a holistic approach in treating the individual while identifying the clinical indications for more precise and effective treatment.
Diagnostic Classification of Acne:
1. Heat and wind pathogens attacking Lung Meridian:
Mainly small red, tender bumps with itch and pain. Sometimes can develop pus-filled pimples.
Herbal Remedy: Loquat Barley Green Bean Porridge
Loquat leaf 6g, Mulberry leaf 6g, China Barley 30g, Green Bean 15g
Boil all leaves with water for 10-15min, then remove the residue and use the decoction to cook barley and green bean porridge.
For 2 servings. You may add a little sugar to taste.
2. Heat and Damp Toxin Accumulation:
Mainly pus-filled pimples, blackheads, whiteheads, or even big painful pus-filled lumps under the skin.
Herbal Remedy: Honeysuckle Hawthorn Tea
Honeysuckle flower 9g, Wild Chrysanthemum 9g, Dandelion flower 6g, Hawthorn 6g, Honey 9g
Boil Hawthorn with 200ml of water for 5-10min before adding all three types of flowers into the pot and continue the brew for another 5min. Drain only the decoction into a bowl before adding another 200ml of water into the pot to repeat boiling for another 5min. Drain the 2nd round of decoction and mix with the 1st round decoction. Add honey and mix it well.
For 2 servings. Recommended consume after food.
3. Phlegm and Blood stasis syndrome：
Mainly large, solid, painful lumps under the skin, it can be painful and itchy when it flares up.
Herbal Remedy: Hawthorn Barley Porridge
Hawthorn 6g, Fritillaria cirrhosa 6g, Frunella vulgaris 6g, Lotus leaf half piece, China barley 30g
Boil the first four herbs with water for 10-15min, then remove the residue and use the decoction to cook barley porridge.
For 2 servings. You may add a little sugar to taste.
Physician Advises :
1. Avoid crustacean seafood such as prawns and crabs. Avoid too much sugar, spicy, and oily food.
2. Consume healthy meals by including more fruits and vegetables every day.
3. Eat more fiber-rich food to aid digestion to prevent constipation
4. Avoid heavy foundation make-up, especially oil-based makeup to prevent clogging of the hair follicles.
5. Avoid pricking or squeezing pimples as it can cause infection and/or scarring.
6. Wash your face twice a day to remove excess oil and dead skin cells.
Authored by Physician PEH 白医师
