Can Huoxiang Zhengqi Water be used to treat eczema?

Jul 13, 2024 Source: Cainiu Health
Disease description:

My skin often itches, and I would like to use Huoxiang Zhengqi Water for treatment. Can Huoxiang Zhengqi Water be used to treat eczema?

Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Wang Xiaoyan
There are differing opinions regarding whether Huoxiang Zhengqi Water can treat eczema. On one hand, Huoxiang Zhengqi Water contains ingredients that relieve surface symptoms, resolve dampness, regulate qi, and harmonize the middle jiao, such as tangerine peel and Atractylodes. It may offer some relief for eczema of the excessive heat type. Additionally, the alcohol content in this preparation may help suppress itching when applied topically. Therefore, some suggest that after cleansing the affected area with warm water daily, Huoxiang Zhengqi Water can be directly applied externally on the affected region three to five times a day, for three to five consecutive days, potentially achieving certain therapeutic effects on eczema. On the other hand, eczema is a type of allergic reaction disease and its treatment requires antiallergic and anti-inflammatory medications. Huoxiang Zhengqi Water does not possess these properties and may not be suitable for other types of eczema, such as chronic eczema or eczema in individuals with deficiency-fire due to yin deficiency. Moreover, curing eczema fundamentally requires professional dermatological treatment, including the use of topical eczema-specific ointments and regulation with traditional Chinese medicine. For the treatment of eczema, it is best to consult a qualified physician and develop a suitable treatment plan according to the specific medical condition.