Rehmanniae glutinosae, Gou Qi Zi Fructus Lycii chinensis, Nu Zhen Zi Fructus Ligustri lucidi
and Sang Ji Sheng Ramulus Loranthi.
Eczema
Eczema from a very early age or even from birth often accompanies or precedes the development
of allergic asthma. The two symptoms of eczema and asthma have the same allergic root as is
easily demonstrated by the whealing skin reactions occurring on inhalation of allergens in
individuals suffering from extrinsic asthma.
From the point of view of Chinese pathology eczema is also due to an inborn deficiency of the
Lung and Kidney's Defensive-Qi systems. The relationship between the Lungs and skin is well
known and yet, when discussing the pathology of skin diseases, Chinese books always seem to
stress more the role of Blood (and Liver) in connection with the skin. In the case of atopic
eczema and asthma, the connection between the Lungs and the skin could not be clearer. These
two symptoms are very clearly related and often one will appear as the other improves. For
example, often eczema appears first at a very early age or even from birth, to be followed later
by asthma when the child is about 4 or 5 years old. This pattern is more likely to occur if the
eczema is suppressed with the application of cortisone creams. The reverse may also occur
when asthma appears first and then apparently improves only to be followed by eczema.
The relationship between skin diseases and the Lungs can also be observed in the action of many
of the herbs which are used to expel Wind in skin diseases. The same herbs which expel Wind
from the skin in eczema or rashes also stimulate the dispersing and descending of Lung-Qi in
exterior conditions. The following are some examples with their action on the skin in brackets:
- Fang Feng Radix Ledebouriellae sesloidis (clears Wind-Damp)
- Jing Jie Herba seu Flos Schizonepetae tenuifoliae (clears Wind)
- Chan Tui Periostracum Cicadae (clears Wind-Heat)
- Ge Gen Radix Puerariae (expresses rashes)
- Ma Huang Herba Ephedrae (clears Wind-Cold)
- Bai Zhi Radix Angelicae dahuricae (expresses pus from skin)
- Cang Er Zi Fructus Xanthii (clears Wind)
- Bo He Herba Menthae (expresses rashes)