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๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ผ Taiwan /Health & Science

TCM Links Eczema, Acne to Digestion and Emotions

From Liberty Times · () Chinese

Translated from Chinese, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Traditional Chinese medicine links persistent skin issues like eczema and acne to internal imbalances in digestion and emotions.
  • Poor diet, stress, and lack of sleep can lead to internal dampness and heat, manifesting as skin problems.
  • Addressing these issues involves dietary changes, stress management, and prioritizing adequate sleep for clearer skin.

Persistent acne, eczema, and hives plague many individuals despite extensive use of skincare products and topical treatments. According to Chinese medicine practitioner Chiu Po-hsuan, the root of these chronic skin conditions often lies not in the skin itself, but within the body's digestive system and emotional state.

The skin is like a mirror, reflecting the body's internal qi, blood, and organ states.

โ€” Chiu Po-hsuanExplaining the connection between internal health and external appearance in traditional Chinese medicine.

Chiu explains that in the five-element theory, the spleen and stomach (earth element) nourish the lungs (metal element), which govern the skin. When the digestive system is compromised by excessive consumption of cold, fried, or sugary foods, or by general weakness, it can generate "dampness" and "heat" within the body. These unresolved waste products then manifest on the skin as redness, itching, and inflammation, leading to recurrent acne or eczema.

Dampness and heat that cannot be metabolized will instead move upwards and outwards, manifesting on the skin, forming red, itchy, and recurrently inflamed pimples or eczema.

โ€” Chiu Po-hsuanDescribing how digestive imbalances lead to skin issues.

Furthermore, modern lifestyles characterized by high stress and late nights contribute to "liver qi stagnation" and "heart fire excess." This imbalance, exacerbated by poor sleep and emotional tension, disrupts the autonomic nervous system, leading to "่™›็†ฑ" (xu re, or deficiency heat) and a weakened immune response. Such internal heat can make the skin hypersensitive, itchy, and prone to inflammation.

When sleep quality is poor and emotions are tense, the body's autonomic nervous system is disrupted, leading to deficiency heat and decreased immunity.

โ€” Chiu Po-hsuanExplaining the impact of stress and poor sleep on skin health.

To combat these recurring skin problems, Chiu advises a three-pronged approach: "Regulate the spleen and stomach" by adopting a bland diet, reducing sugar, dairy, fried, spicy, and cold foods. "Soothe emotions" by managing stress through deep breathing or walking to promote the flow of liver qi. Finally, "ensure good sleep" by going to bed before 11 p.m., as sufficient, deep sleep acts as a natural anti-inflammatory agent and aids skin repair. By addressing internal harmony, individuals can achieve unexpected improvements in their skin.

Treating the stomach and intestines well, calming emotions, and ensuring sufficient sleep often leads to unexpected skin transformations.

โ€” Chiu Po-hsuanConcluding advice on achieving clearer skin.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Liberty Times in Chinese. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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