3. Chinese medicine is safe Have you ever actually listened to the


ads on TV for psoriasis medications? That part when they list all the possible side effects? Strong immunosuppressant drugs can leave a person susceptible to a whole host of aggressive infections. Steroids are regularly prescribed for skin diseases like psoriasis and eczema, but long-term use carries the risk of high blood sugar and diabetes, an increased risk of infections, thinning of bones and increased fractures, and may suppress the function of the adrenal gland.Long-term topical applica- tion of steroids leads to thinning of the skin and a significant loss of skin integrity. Women with severe acne might be put on strong medications—so strong that they’re also required to take two forms of birth control, since in the event of pregnancy the risk of severe birth defects from the acne meds is so high.


Chinese herbal treatments, on the other hand, have little to no side effects. There may be digestive discomfort or loose stools, but even these mild symp- toms don’t usually last too long. That said, “herbal” or “natural” doesn’t necessar- ily mean a treatment is safe. Anything strong enough to heal you can also harm you if taken incorrectly. Make sure your herbalist is experienced, and that s/he is committed to using Chinese herbs from a reputable pharmacy. Ask about whether the herbs have been tested not only for quality, but also for pesticide or fungicide residues. Herb quality is a big concern in the Chinese medicine community and is something worth paying close attention to.


4. Chinese medicine works both inside and out


Most skin conditions have an internal root, and herbs taken internally get to that root. For most conditions, topical treat- ment alone will not be strong enough to correct the internal pathology. That said, topical treatment has an important role to play in delivering needed medicines to your skin directly, thus expediting the larger healing process and helping the skin to recover more quickly. Combining internal and topical treatment together is the most effective way to achieve lasting results.


www.EssentialLivingMaine.com 7


So now that you know why I’m an


advocate for Chinese medicine in skin cases, what’s next? If you’re suffering from skin disease, consider the following:


1. Seek out a specialist who will see


your areas of imbalance As we’ve discussed, the look of your


skin reveals a lot of information about what is going on internally. An educated eye will be able to pinpoint your areas of imbalance by looking at your skin, alone. Many of my patients have previously


given ‘holistic’ or ‘alternative’ medicine a try for their skin disease, with limited or no success. Part of the problem is that they didn’t see a practitioner who special- ized in skin disorders. Keep in mind that many herbalists (or naturopaths, homeo- paths, and even western doctors) who are very, very good at what they do are not necessarily experienced in treating the skin. Dermatology is known to be a tricky specialty in western medicine and Chi- nese medicine alike. It’s usually complex and sometimes confounding. So, however you choose to treat your skin disease, do yourself a favor and make sure you seek out a specialist!


2. Don’t believe in “miracles” If you’ve heard about a holistic


“miracle cure,” do your due diligence and research to make sure that there are no potential risks or harmful side effects. If it


fits within your budget and truly speaks to you, sure, why not give it a try? But if it doesn’t work or you don’t get the results that you’ve seen in a hyped up market- ing campaign, don’t give up on holistic medicine altogether. It’s unusual for cures touted as miraculous to be effective for a lot of people.


Of course, there’s no “cure” for most skin diseases and Chinese herbs can’t help everyone. But with diligent treat- ment, the vast majority of patients report significant to dramatic improvement. There is a real opportunity to effectively treat your skin with great results and with- out the use of potentially harmful drugs. Stay realistic, but know that with time and the right course of treatment, your skin can and will get better.


Alexa is a practitioner of Chinese Medi- cine specializing in the treatment of skin conditions. She holds a Master’s degree in Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (MA- cOM) from AOMA Graduate School of Integrative Medicine, is nationally board certified, and is a Diplomate of Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM) with a license to practice customized Chinese herbal medicine in Maine. In 2012, she gradu- ated in the top of her class from Mazin Al-Khafaji’s Chinese Medicine Dermatol- ogy Diploma Course at Regent’s College in London, England. See ad on page 11.


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