Treating Skin Conditions with Chinese Medicine
By Davina Mercuri

We all have skin, and it does more than just cover our bodies. It maintains a homeostatic balance of moisture, protection, good and bad bacteria. If there is a disharmony affecting the health of the skin there may be dryness, itching, weeping, pustules, excess oil, etc. Often in Western dermatology problems are treated with topical creams or strong medications that do not treat the root cause. The relief maybe instant and strong, but sometimes these strong medicines are too strong to be able to be sustained over a long period of time.
Diagnosis
Chinese medicine dermatology differs from conventional medicine and its treatment on many levels. We see the health of the skin as a reflection of the internal health of the body. Hence in a consultation we will not only look and observe the skin, but we will also ask many questions in regards to your health and functioning of the body. We will also check the tongue and take the pulse to aid our diagnosis. With all this information we gain a complete and thorough understanding of the mechanisms causing the disease, as understood by Chinese medicine. From this we can then choose herbs specifically for each individual and their condition.
Treatment Options
Length of Treatment

Conclusion
Chinese dermatology developed by working with people directly, not by microscopic experimentation in labs. It is a dynamic medicine that has evolved over centuries by carefully observing patterns of illnesses and using natural sources of medicine to restore health. The correct use and choice of herbs can help with many various persistent skin diseases. The advantage of Chinese medicine is the subtle use of herbs to achieve results with minimal side effects.
“Healing is not a science, rather it is the intimate art of wooing nature”
W.H. Auden