Acne Rosacea

Like Western medicine, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) also sees acne rosacea or rosacea as a skin problem, but understands that the root of this condition goes deeper. TCM views rosacea as a condition related to Lung and Liver function disorder. The important balance between these two organ systems has been disrupted. Each organ itself is out of balance; in addition, they are not functioning together in harmony. This is the root cause of rosacea that needs to be addressed. Generally, it is the Liver function disorder causes the Lung function disorder. In traditional Chinese medicine all skin problems are related to the Lung as well as its partner organ the Large Intestine (see the Five-Element Theory chart [PDF] to understand this relationship).

In TCM theory, the Liver also has a close energy relationship with the Stomach—it "controls" the Stomach. This means that when Stomach energy or Qi is in a state of excess, the Liver's job is to bring it back into balance. A red nose is a clear signal that there is excess Stomach Qi and it has stagnated, in turn causing a lot of heat to build up. This heat is then reflected on the face and the nose in particular. People who suffer from this type of acne rosacea might first experience bad breath, heartburn and constipation. Women may experience a menstrual cycle disorder preceding the condition. These are all early warning signs of a Liver function disorder. Stress, anger, or some kind of emotional disorder has impacted the way the Liver works and now prevents Liver energy from flowing freely.

In the West, acne rosacea is often difficult to treat because it's viewed mainly as a skin problem to be treated symptomatically. From the TCM perspective, good results come from treating the root cause of this condition. The red and blotchy skin of acne rosacea is a signal of deeper imbalances that must be addressed for true healing to occur.

TCM Tips for Healing

Throughout the ages, TCM has addressed this condition with the following natural treatment approaches in order to help the body unlock its own healing skill.

• Acupuncture helps rebalance the affected organs and helps them to function in harmony with each other.
• Herbs: Two classical herbal formulas, Lung Dang Xie Gan Wan and Huang Lien San Qing Pian, are time-tested formulas used for this condition. Different herbal practitioners, however, may select different formulas—sometimes classical formulas, or sometimes a unique formula for your specific situation.
• Diet: A vegetarian diet during treatment is sometimes suggested. This will help achieve the best result. Specific foods for healing like bean sprouts and celery also help address the root cause of rosacea.