How Acupuncture & Herbs Can improve skin quality
Acupuncture and herbal medicine can significantly improve skin quality by addressing underlying imbalances in the body. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), skin issues often stem from internal factors like: Qi Stagnation, Blood Stagnation, excess Dampness, Cold, or Heat, or from deficient Yin, Yang, or Blood.
How Acupuncture Improves Skin Quality
Enhances Blood Circulation: Acupuncture stimulates blood flow, delivering nutrients and oxygen to the skin and promoting cell regeneration.
Regulates Qi Flow: By balancing qi (energy), acupuncture helps reduce stress, a common contributor to skin issues such as acne or eczema.
Detoxifies the Body: Certain points help remove toxins, reducing inflammation and clearing up skin conditions like acne or rosacea.
Boosts Collagen Production: Facial acupuncture, often referred to as "cosmetic acupuncture," can stimulate collagen production, improving elasticity and reducing wrinkles.
Balances Hormones: Points targeting the endocrine system can regulate hormonal imbalances that cause acne or dull skin.
Common Point Prescriptions for Skin Health
General Skin Rejuvenation (Facial Acupuncture):
LI4 (Hegu): Promotes qi and blood flow.
ST36 (Zusanli): Enhances digestion and overall vitality.
SP6 (Sanyinjiao): Nourishes yin and blood.
ST7 (Xiaguan), ST4 (Dicang): Local facial points to improve skin tone and reduce puffiness.
BL17 (Geshu): Invigorates blood and eliminates stagnation.
GV20 (Baihui): Elevates qi and promotes mental calmness.
For Acne and Inflammation:
LI11 (Quchi): Clears heat and detoxifies the skin.
DU14 (Dazhui): Releases heat and improves immunity.
SP10 (Xuehai): Cools blood and reduces inflammation.
ST44 (Neiting): Clears heat from the stomach, often linked to acne.
For Eczema or Psoriasis:
SP6 (Sanyinjiao): Strengthens the spleen and resolves dampness.
LI4 (Hegu) + LV3 (Taichong): Balances liver qi and clears heat.
HT7 (Shenmen): Calms the mind and reduces stress-related skin flare-ups.
For Dry, Dull Skin:
KI3 (Taixi): Nourishes kidney yin, linked to skin hydration.
LU9 (Taiyuan): Moistens the lungs and improves skin texture.
ST36 (Zusanli): Enhances nourishment and vitality.
Herbal Formulas for Skin Health
Herbal formulas are tailored based on individual diagnoses. Here are some common TCM herbal remedies that are often modified and tailored to your needs for skin issues:
Acne:
Yin Qiao San: Clears heat, often prescribed for upper respiratory infections, but it could also be used to detoxify the skin.
Long Dan Xie Gan Tang: Drains liver fire and resolves damp-heat, especially for hormonal acne.
Eczema and Psoriasis:
Xiao Feng San: Dispels wind-damp (itchy, weepy lesions), clears heat, and resolves dampness.
Si Wu Tang: Nourishes blood, especially for dry, flaky skin. Also good for dull or aging skin as it improves blood quality and circulation.
Gui Pi Tang: Tonifies qi and blood, combats dullness, and enhances vitality.
Individual Herbs for Skin health
Tremella (Tremella fuciformis)
Commonly Known As: Snow mushroom or silver ear mushroom.
Benefits:
A natural source of plant-based polysaccharides that help retain skin moisture, acting similarly to hyaluronic acid.
Rich in antioxidants, which protect against collagen breakdown by neutralizing free radicals.
Improves skin elasticity and texture through hydration.
How to Use: Consumed as a soup, tea, or supplement, tremella is often paired with goji berries for enhanced skin benefits.
Goji Berries (Lycium barbarum)
TCM Properties: Tonifies liver and kidney, nourishes blood, and moistens yin.
Collagen Benefits:
Contains high levels of vitamin C, which is crucial for collagen synthesis.
Packed with antioxidants like zeaxanthin that protect skin from oxidative stress.
How to Use: Eaten raw, steeped in tea, or added to soups.
Pearl Powder (Zhen Zhu)
TCM Properties: Calms the spirit, clears heat, and nourishes the skin.
Collagen Benefits:
Contains amino acids and trace minerals that support skin regeneration and collagen production.
Brightens skin tone and improves texture.
How to Use: Taken as an internal supplement or applied topically in creams or masks.
He Shou Wu (Polygonum multiflorum)
TCM Properties: Tonifies liver and kidney yin, nourishes blood, and supports longevity.
Collagen Benefits:
Promotes healthy hair, skin, and nails.
Its antioxidant properties protect collagen from oxidative damage.
How to Use: Commonly consumed as a tea, powder, or in herbal formulas.
Ginseng (Panax ginseng)
TCM Properties: Tonifies qi, strengthens spleen, and revitalizes the body.
Collagen Benefits:
Stimulates skin cell turnover and increases collagen synthesis.
Enhances skin elasticity and reduces wrinkles through its adaptogenic properties.
How to Use: Consumed as tea, capsules, or in skincare products.
Astragalus (Huang Qi)
TCM Properties: Tonifies qi, boosts immune function, and promotes healing.
Collagen Benefits:
Supports tissue repair and boosts skin elasticity.
Protects against collagen degradation by reducing inflammation and oxidative stress.
How to Use: Used in soups, teas, or decoctions.
Dang Gui (Angelica sinensis)
TCM Properties: Nourishes and invigorates blood, regulates menstruation, and promotes healing.
Collagen Benefits:
Rich in compounds that enhance blood circulation, ensuring skin gets essential nutrients.
Supports the production of collagen through its blood-tonifying effects.
How to Use: Taken as tea, tincture, or added to soups.
Sea Buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides)
Benefits:
High in omega-7 fatty acids, which support skin hydration and collagen formation.
Contains vitamins C and E, vital for preventing collagen breakdown.
How to Use: Consumed as juice, oil, or capsules.
Collagen-Rich Animal Products
Examples: Bone broth, chicken feet, and fish skin.
Benefits:
Directly supplies collagen peptides and amino acids like glycine and proline, essential for collagen synthesis.
Easy to digest and supports skin, joint, and connective tissue health.
How to Use: Make soups or broths by simmering bones for several hours.
Schisandra (Schisandra chinensis)
TCM Properties: Astringes essence, nourishes the skin, and protects against environmental damage.
Collagen Benefits:
Promotes skin elasticity and hydration.
Its antioxidant content shields collagen from UV-induced degradation.
How to Use: Taken as tea, tincture, or powder.
Chrysanthemum (Ju Hua)
TCM Properties: Clears heat, detoxifies, and nourishes the skin.
Collagen Benefits:
Reduces inflammation, which can damage collagen.
Protects the skin from oxidative stress.
How to Use: Brewed as tea or used in skincare formulations.
Vitamin C-Rich Herbs
Vitamin C is essential for collagen synthesis, as it stabilizes and cross-links collagen fibers. TCM herbs high in vitamin C include:
Amla (Indian Gooseberry): A potent antioxidant.
Rose Hips: Known for brightening and collagen-supporting properties.
Lifestyle Recommendations
Diet: Avoid overly spicy, greasy (fried), or sweet foods (processed sugar), which can contribute to excess Heat and Dampness. Eat several servings of non-starchy fruits and vegetables in addition to lean protein daily.
Hydration: Drink plenty of water to support skin hydration; enhance water with electrolytes from natural substances such as Himalayan salt, lemon juice, and honey. Non-caffeinated herbal teas can also be very hydrating,
Stress Management: Incorporate mindfulness practices or light exercise to support qi flow.
By combining acupuncture, herbal medicine, and lifestyle adjustments, TCM offers a holistic approach to improving skin health. Contact us if you would like to schedule a consultation or to learn more.