A team of researchers based in China and France have found a Chinese herbal ointment to be an effective therapy for plaque-type psoriasis. Shi Du Ruan Gao (SDRG) ointment contains Qing Dai (Indigo Pulverata Levis), Huang Bai (Cortex Phellodendri), Duan Shi Gao (Gypsum Fibrosum Preparatum), Lu Gan Shi, (Smithsonitum [Calamine]) and Wu Bei Zi (Galla Rhois Chinensis). In an exploratory study, 100 patients with mild to moderate chronic plaque-type psoriasis were enrolled and randomly assigned to treatment or placebo groups. Patients applied either SDRG or a placebo ointment to psoriasis lesions twice a day for eight weeks. Both objective and...Weiterlesen

ABSTRACT Background: Cutaneous warts are small skin lesions formed as ar esult of infection by the human papilloma virus (HPV). In the lesion, viral manipulation creates a microenvironment that favors virus survival and reproduction. Most lesions eventually regress, probably as a result of a Th1-mediated immune response. However, some warts fail to regress and become persistent.  Objective: The efficacy of treatment of persistent HPV-caused warts with Energetics of Living Systems acupuncture and monitored immune system involvement was tested. Methods: Eighteen patients with persistent warts were recruited for the study; 9 received acupuncture treatment and 9 received placebo. Each patient was...Weiterlesen

Hsing-YuChenabc  Yi-HsuanLinabc  Yu-ChunChendef ABSTRACT Ethno-pharmacological relevance Acne is a highly prevalent inflammatory skin disease which causes patients great psychological stress, especially teenagers. Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) is commonly used to treat acne with personalized but complicated prescriptions. The aim of this study is to determine a CHM network and core CHM treatments for acne by analyzing a nationwide database. Materials and methods From January 1st to December 31st, 2011, all CHM prescriptions made for acne (ICD-9-CM code: 706.0 or 706.1) were included in this study. Visits with acupuncture, manual therapy or other treatment modalities were excluded, and CHM visits with other diagnoses...Weiterlesen

A Chinese herbal formula, Pei Tu Qing Xin Tang (PTQXT) is effective for decreasing disease severity and improving quality of life (QOL) in patients with atopic dermatitis (AD). PTQXT is composed of nine herbs: Tai Zi Shen (Radix Pseudostellariae), Lian Qiao (Fructus Forsythiae), Gou Teng (Ramulus Uncariae cum Uncis), Xin Cao (Medulla Junci), Dan Zhu Ye (Herba Lophatheri), Yi Yi Ren (Semen Coicis), Shan Yao (RhizomaDioscoreae), Mu Li (Concha Ostreae) and Gan Cao (Radix Glycyrrhizae). Chinese researchers recruited 275 patients who were randomised to receive a 12-week treatment involving either PTQXT only, PTQXT plus external application of a Chinese herbal...Weiterlesen

Iranian authors reviewing the currently available literature suggest that an extract of Gingko biloba (GB, pinyin: Bai Guo Ye) has the potential to be effective against psoriasis. Ginkgo has been used for centuries in traditional medicine to treat a variety of health conditions, and it is now known that its leaves contain flavonoid glycosides and terpenoids (ginkgolides, bilobalides) as active ingredients. GBE has demonstrated the ability to prevent leucocyte adhesion, an important step in the pathological process of psoriasis, which leads to accumulation of these cells in tissues affected by psoriatic lesions. It can also inhibit the action of various...Weiterlesen

A small study carried out in Thailand suggests that facial acupuncture, with or without body acupuncture, may be effective in decreasing the size of melasma (hyperpigmented skin) patches. Forty-one women with melasma were randomly assigned to either facial acupuncture, or facial and body acupuncture. Each group received two acupuncture sessions per week for eight weeks. Participants who were assigned to facial acupuncture only were needled transversely from the rim toward the centre of their melasma lesions. Those in the facial/body acupuncture group were also needled at 11 body points; bilateral Hegu L.I.-4, Xuchai SP-10, Zusanli ST-36, Taichong LIV-3, Sanyinjiao SP-6...Weiterlesen

A Cochrane database systematic review of Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) for atopic eczema was not able to find conclusive evidence that CHM, taken orally or applied topically, could reduce the severity of eczema in children or adults. The Australian authors included 28 studies, most which were assessed to be at high risk of bias, involving a total of 2306 participants. Although some of the studies suggested a positive effect of CHM compared with placebo or conventional treatment, substantial inconsistency between studies was noted, and the authors therefore warn that any positive effect of CHM should be treated with caution. They...Weiterlesen

Results from a German pilot study show that acupuncture reduces itch intensity in patients with atopic eczema and that this correlates with reduced activation of basophils (histamine-secreting white blood cells). Ten patients with atopic eczema were randomised to acupuncture or no treatment. Mean itch intensity on a visual analog scale was rated significantly lower in the acupuncture group on day 15 (after 5 acupuncture treatments) and day 33 (after 10 acupuncture treatments). Compared with the control group, basophils from the acupuncture group showed significantly less in vitro activation following allergen stimulation, at all time points. (Effect of Acupuncture on Allergen-Induced...Weiterlesen

Acupuncture shows promise as a treatment modality for dermatological conditions, according to a systematic review by authors from the USA. Twenty-four studies met their inclusion criteria, of which 16 were randomised controlled trials. In 17 of 24 studies, acupuncture showed statistically significant improvements in outcome measurements compared with placebo acupuncture, alternative treatment options and no intervention. Acupuncture was found to improve outcome measures in the treatment of dermatitis, chloasma, pruritus, urticaria, hyperhidrosis and facial elasticity. Acupuncture as a Treatment Modality in Dermatology: A Systematic Review. J Altern Complement Med. 2015 Sep;21(9):520-9 Quelle: www.jcm.co.uk  Weiterlesen

Acupuncture treatment of acne vulgaris can reduce the number of inflammatory lesions and improve patients’ quality of life. Korean researchers randomised 36 subjects with moderate acne to receive acupuncture either at general acupuncture points only, or at both general acupuncture points and ah shi points twice weekly for six weeks. After 12 treatment sessions, the results showed a significant improvement from baseline in inflammatory acne lesion counts, quality of life scores and subjective symptom scores in both groups. There was no significant difference between groups. (Efficacy of ah shi point acupuncture on acne vulgaris. Acupunct Med. 2010 Sep;28(3):126-9). Quelle: www.jcm.co.ukWeiterlesen