Traditional Chinese Medicine for Eczema: A Complete 2025 Guide

Eczema is a chronic inflammatory skin condition marked by dryness, itchiness, redness, and recurring flare-ups. While Western treatments often focus on topical creams and short-term symptom relief, many people are now looking for natural, long-term ways to manage their skin. This is where Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) stands out.

TCM views eczema as more than a surface-level issue. Instead of treating only the rash, TCM aims to restore balance within the body — addressing the root cause behind inflammation, dryness, and recurring flare-ups.

In this guide, we’ll explore how TCM understands eczema, the most common TCM herbal treatments for eczema, how acupuncture supports healing, the role of diet, and what results you can realistically expect.

How TCM Views Eczema

TCM approaches eczema very differently from Western medicine. Instead of viewing it as a purely skin-level problem, TCM sees eczema as the result of deeper imbalances within the body. These internal disruptions shape how eczema appears on the skin, from redness and itching to dryness or oozing rashes. By understanding these patterns, TCM practitioners aim to treat the root cause rather than only the visible symptoms.

a. Internal Imbalance vs. External Triggers

In TCM, eczema is believed to stem from internal disharmony. While external triggers like allergens, climate, and irritants can worsen symptoms, the deeper imbalance often comes from:

• Wind – itchiness, sudden flare-ups

• Heat – redness, inflammation, burning

• Dampness – oozing, swelling, sticky rashes

• Blood Deficiency – dryness, flaking, chronic patches

These patterns explain why two people with eczema may look similar on the outside but require completely different treatments.

b. Common TCM Patterns of Eczema

Identifying your TCM “pattern” is one of the most important steps in personalising treatment. In TCM, eczema doesn’t present the same way for everyone — and each visible symptom reflects a different internal imbalance. 

These patterns help practitioners understand why your eczema flare-ups behave the way they do and allow them to prescribe the right combination of herbs, acupuncture points, and dietary adjustments. Understanding your pattern ensures that treatment targets the underlying cause, not just the surface irritation.

• Damp-Heat - Damp-Heat eczema appears as red, warm, swollen, or oozing rashes. The skin may feel sticky or inflamed, and flare-ups often worsen in humid climates or after eating spicy, oily, or fried foods. This pattern suggests the body is struggling to clear excess moisture and internal Heat, leading to intense itchiness and irritation on the skin’s surface.

• Wind-Heat - Wind-Heat is known for sudden, fast-moving flare-ups with strong itching. The skin may show redness, dryness, or clusters of tiny bumps that appear quickly—often triggered by stress, seasonal changes, or exposure to heat. This pattern is linked to external “Wind,” which causes symptoms to shift or worsen rapidly.

• Blood Deficiency - When the body lacks sufficient nourishment from Blood (in TCM terms), the skin becomes dry, dull, and more prone to chronic eczema. Flaking, rough patches, and slow-healing areas are common. This pattern often appears in long-standing eczema cases, especially when moisturising alone doesn’t resolve the dryness.

• Qi Stagnation - Qi Stagnation is closely tied to emotional stress and tension. When Qi doesn’t flow smoothly, the skin may react with flare-ups that worsen whenever stress levels rise. Itchiness often becomes more intense in stressful periods, and patches may appear on the neck, chest, or limbs. This pattern highlights the strong mind–skin connection recognised in TCM.

c. Why Identifying Your Pattern Matters

TCM is personalised. Your herbal formula, acupuncture points, and diet recommendations depend on your pattern — unlike many Western treatments that focus only on reducing symptoms temporarily. Identifying your pattern is what makes TCM an effective eczema holistic treatment.

Common TCM Treatments for Eczema

a. Herbal Medicine

Herbal formulas are the foundation of traditional Chinese medicine for eczema. Instead of relying on one herb, practitioners combine multiple ingredients to address the exact pattern affecting your body.

Common herbs used in eczema formulas include:

• Chamomile – reduces redness and irritation; promotes skin healing

• Purple Herb – strong antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects

• Tea Tree Oil (in topical blends) – reduces itch, bacteria, mites, and minor infections

• Nutgall Tree Leaves – soothe inflammation, reduce swelling, and offer antioxidant support

• Golden Larch Bark – relieves itching and helps clear fungal or parasitic skin issues

• Sarsaparilla Root – clears Damp-Heat often seen in acne, eczema, and inflamed rashes

• Reddish Jack Tuber – reduces swelling, dries Dampness, and calms irritation

• Chinese Mint – calms Wind-Heat; helps ease itchiness and irritation

• Purple Leaf Grape – reduces Dampness, swelling, and helps detoxify

• Goshuyu – antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects

• Red Sage Root – promotes blood flow and helps heal damaged skin

• Monnier’s Snowparsley – relieves itching and reduces inflammation

These herbs are also used in modern formulations, such as herbal eczema treatments and topical creams like the CI Labs Eczema Relief Cream, which incorporates many of these botanicals to soothe redness, ease itching, and support long-term skin repair.

Herbs can be prescribed as teas, powders, pills, or topical washes. Formulas are usually adjusted weekly based on your body's response — a personalised approach that is central to TCM.

b. Acupuncture

Acupuncture for eczema can help regulate the immune system, calm inflammation, and reduce itching sensations. It also stabilises stress hormones, making it especially helpful for people whose flare-ups worsen during stressful periods.

Benefits include:

• Reduced itching intensity

• Better sleep

• Improved circulation and skin healing

• Lower stress and emotional triggers

c. TCM Creams & Herbal Soaks

Topical treatments are a gentle and practical option, especially for children or those who prefer not to take herbs internally.

• TCM creams often include botanicals like Purple Herb, Chamomile, and Snowparsley — all of which are also used in the CI Labs botanical blend to calm inflammation and reduce itching.

• Herbal soaks involve cooling decoctions made from herbs like Sarsaparilla root, Purple Leaf Grape, or Mint. These soaks help reduce Heat, soothe itching, and ease redness.

These treatments work well alongside oral formulas for a full eczema holistic treatment approach.

d. TCM Diet & Daily Lifestyle Tips

Diet and lifestyle play a major role in TCM because what you eat and how you live can either calm eczema or trigger new flare-ups. A TCM diet for eczema focuses on reducing internal Dampness and Heat — two common contributors to inflammation, itchiness, and persistent rashes. By choosing foods and habits that cool, nourish, and balance the body, you can support your treatment from within and prevent symptoms from recurring.

Avoid

• Fried and oily foods

• Dairy

• Shellfish

• Sugary drinks

• Spicy dishes

• Alcohol

Recommended

• Mung beans (cooling)

• Pear (moisturising the lungs)

• Barley (reduces Dampness)

• Leafy greens (supports detoxification)

• Lean proteins

• Herbal teas like chrysanthemum or mint

Lifestyle tips

• Avoid scratching — use a cold compress instead

• Take lukewarm showers, not hot ones

• Manage stress through breathing exercises, gentle stretching, tai chi, or walking

TCM emphasises harmony, so your daily habits matter just as much as your treatments.

What to Expect from TCM Treatment

TCM is steady and progressive — not an instant fix. Most people begin noticing improvements within:

3–6 weeks, not overnight

Practitioners adjust your formula based on changes in:

• Itchiness

• Redness

• Dryness

• Stress levels

• Digestion (a key indicator in TCM)

TCM works best when paired with proper skincare practices, trigger avoidance, and adequate moisture. Many individuals complement TCM with Western treatments — especially during severe flares or infections — to achieve eczema treatment without steroids over time.

Safety Tips

TCM is powerful, but safety is essential.

Use only herbs and creams from licensed practitioners.

Avoid random online herbal creams, especially those with:

• Heavy-metal contamination

• Hidden steroids

• Unverified ingredients

People with liver or kidney conditions should be monitored closely.
Always inform your dermatologist if combining treatments — transparency ensures safer outcomes.

Should You Try TCM for Eczema?

TCM is best for people who:

• Have chronic or recurring eczema

• Want eczema root cause treatment rather than symptom-based care

• Prefer natural or holistic approaches

• Have not improved enough with Western treatments alone

Things to consider:

• Treatment takes consistency and commitment

• Cost varies depending on the herbs and the number of sessions

• Choose a practitioner or clinic experienced in treating skin conditions

TCM is not a miracle cure — but when done correctly, it provides deep, long-lasting relief.

Conclusion

Traditional Chinese Medicine offers a comprehensive, whole-body approach to managing eczema. By addressing internal imbalances, supporting the skin barrier, and promoting long-term balance, TCM provides meaningful relief beyond short-term symptom control.

For many people, combining TCM methods with modern dermatology brings the most reliable results.

If you’re looking for a gentle, botanical-based option to support your skin, we at CI Labs craft our eczema formulations using many of these time-tested herbs — such as chamomile, purple herb, tea tree oil, mint, and sarsaparilla root — to soothe irritation, calm redness, and strengthen the skin barrier naturally. Our goal is to help you build a holistic routine that supports your skin from the inside out.