TCM Herbal Teas for Eczema: Causes, Stages, and 7 Remedies

Eczema is a type of allergic inflammatory skin condition commonly seen in clinical practice. Its main characteristics include polymorphic lesions, symmetrical distribution, spontaneous itching, recurrent episodes, and a tendency to become chronic. The causes of eczema are complex. It is generally believed that internal stimuli (such as focal infection, indigestion, certain food allergies, intestinal parasites, and use of certain medications) or external irritants (such as cold, wool fabrics, soap, pollen, insects, and contact with certain powders) act on the body to cause an allergic inflammatory response in the skin. In daily life, people are exposed to many stimulating factors, but whether eczema occurs mainly depends on the body’s internal factors. Individuals with high sensitivity are more prone to eczema, and allergic constitution is related to genetics, living and working environments, and other factors.

According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, the development of skin discomfort is often attributed to constitutional factors, or dietary irregularities that impair the Spleen’s transport and transformation functions, leading to internal accumulation of Damp-Heat. Alternatively, pre-existing chronic health issues (such as Kidney, Liver, or digestive imbalances) may over time consume Yin and Blood. On this basis, excessive consumption of greasy, fishy, or allergenic foods, or exposure to irritants (including animal, plant, or chemical allergens), or external invasion of Wind-Damp-Heat pathogens may contribute to the manifestation.

According to the clinical characteristics and progression of eczema, it can be categorized into three stages: acute, subacute, and chronic.

1. Acute Eczema

①Heat Excess Type: Sudden onset, skin lesions manifest as erythema, papules, blisters, erosion, exudation, and crusting, with marked edema, severe itching, and a distinct burning sensation. May also present with thirst and dry stool. Tongue tip red, thin white or yellow coating, pulse wiry and slippery. supports should support the body’s ability to maintain a balanced internal environment and promote healthy skin function, while also supporting healthy blood circulation and the body’s natural detoxification processes.

② Dampness Exuberance Stage Pattern: Onset is relatively slow. Skin lesions present as papules, papulovesicles, and small blisters, with mild flushing and itching. After scratching, erosion with profuse exudate appears. Accompanied by poor appetite, fatigue, and other signs of imbalance. Tongue coating is white or greasy white. Pulse is slippery or wiry-slippery. The supports principle is to support the Spleen in transforming Dampness and help maintain a balanced internal environment.

2. Subacute Eczema: After appropriate management, acute inflammation significantly subsides, leaving localized dark red spots or small papules without obvious systemic signs of imbalance. The therapeutic approach is to support a balanced internal environment, promote normal blood function, and aid healthy Spleen and fluid metabolism.

3. Chronic Eczema: Prolonged course, rough and thickened skin, well-defined margins, significant pruritus, with scratch marks and blood crusts on the surface, dark red in color. supports principle: strengthen the Spleen and drain dampness, nourish blood and moisten the skin.

1.Longdan Cheqianzi Cha (Gentian and Plantain Seed Tea)

Ingredients: Gentiana scabra (Longdan) 30 g, Plantago asiatica (Cheqianzi) 15 g.

Preparation: Crush Gentiana scabra (Longdan Cao) into a coarse powder, and grind Plantago asiatica (Cheqianzi). Place both into a thermos, pour in boiling water, cover, and steep for 30 minutes. Drink as a tea. Take one dose daily.

Efficacy: helps maintain a balanced internal environment and supports healthy fluid metabolism and cleansing. supports individuals with signs of Heat Excess according to Traditional Chinese Medicine principles.

2.Viola yedoensis (Chinese Violet) and Glycyrrhiza uralensis (Licorice) Tea

Ingredients: Viola yedoensis (Zi Hua Di Ding) 50g, Glycyrrhiza uralensis (Gancao) 30g, Sterculia lychnophora (Pang Da Hai) 30g.

Preparation: Coarsely grind the above three ingredients, mix well, and divide into 5 portions for later use. For each use, take one portion, place in a cup, and infuse with boiling water. Drink as tea. Take one dose daily, suitable for long-term consumption.

supports a balanced internal environment, helps maintain healthy blood, and promotes the body’s natural detoxification processes. Beneficial for individuals experiencing signs of internal heat excess.

3.Di Ding Jin Lian Cha (Viola and Globeflower Tea)

Ingredients: Viola yedoensis (Zihuadiding) and Trollius chinensis (Jinlianhua), 10 g each; Sophora tonkinensis (Shandougen), 5 g.

Preparation method: Place the three ingredients together in a cup, infuse with boiling water, and drink as tea. Take one dose daily.

Actions: Helps clear heat, reduce swelling, cool the blood, and support detoxification. supports comfort for patterns of heat excess with skin concerns.

4.Shen Zhu Fuling Cha (Ginseng, Atractylodes, and Poria Tea)

Ingredients: Panax ginseng (Renshen) 3g, Atractylodes macrocephala (Baizhu) 10g, Poria cocos (Fuling) 10g, white sugar 15g.

Preparation method: Grind the first three ingredients into a coarse powder. Place together with white sugar into a vacuum flask, pour in boiling water, cover, and let steep for 30 minutes. Drink as tea. One dose daily.

Efficacy: supports healthy Spleen function and fluid metabolism, while helping to maintain a balanced internal environment. supports skin health for individuals with a tendency toward dampness-related imbalances.

5.Caigen Yinping Cha (Vegetable Root and Silver Duckweed Tea)

Ingredients: 4 pieces of Chinese cabbage root, 25 g each of Lonicera japonica (Jinyinhua) and Spirodela polyrrhiza (Zibeifuping).

Preparation method: Wash and slice Brassica rapa (Chinese cabbage root). Place it together with Lonicera japonica (Honeysuckle flower) and Spirodela polyrrhiza (Common duckweed) into a pot. Decoct twice in water, collect the decoction, mix well, and take as tea. One dose daily, taken in the morning and evening.

supports the body’s ability to clear heat and promote dampness elimination, while cooling the blood and aiding natural detoxification. This formula supports skin health in cases of heat‑excess patterns.

6.Chishao Danshen Tea (Red Peony Root and Danshen Tea)

Ingredients: Paeonia lactiflora (Red Peony Root, Chishao) 15 g, Salvia miltiorrhiza (Danshen, Red Sage Root) 12 g, Rehmannia glutinosa (Shengdi, Rehmannia Root) 18 g, Angelica sinensis (Danggui, Chinese Angelica Root) 12 g, Scutellaria baicalensis (Huangqin, Baical Skullcap Root) 10 g, Artemisia capillaris (Yinchen, Capillary Wormwood) 15 g, Poria cocos (Fuling, Poria) 12 g, Gardenia jasminoides (Zhizi, Gardenia Fruit) 10 g, Atractylodes macrocephala (Baizhu, Largehead Atractylodes) 12 g.

Preparation: Decoct the above herbs in water twice, combine the decoctions, and drink as tea. One dose daily, taken in the morning and evening.

Efficacy: supports a balanced internal environment and healthy blood circulation. Also supports healthy Spleen function and normal fluid metabolism. helps maintain skin comfort during occasional imbalances.

7.Wushe Danggui Cha (Black-tail Snake and Angelica Sinensis Tea)

Ingredients: 15g Zaocys dhumnades (Wushe Gan), 20g Angelica sinensis (Danggui), 15g Polygonatum odoratum (Yuzhu), 20g brown sugar.

Preparation method: Grind the first three ingredients into coarse powder. Place together with brown sugar in a thermos cup. Infuse with boiling water and drink as tea. One dose per day.

Effect: supports healthy Spleen function and promotes fluid metabolism, nourishes the blood and moisturizes the skin. helps maintain normal skin health.