Rosacea and Traditional Chinese Medicine: Natural Remedies, Causes, Herbs, and Healing from Within

Rosacea is a chronic inflammatory skin condition characterized by persistent facial redness, flushing, visible blood vessels, and acne-like bumps. While Western medicine recognizes rosacea’s symptoms, its root cause often remains unclear. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), however, offers a unique and holistic lens, focusing on internal imbalances that manifest externally on the skin.

Rather than suppressing symptoms, TCM aims to address the root cause—restoring balance and harmony within the body.

TCM View of Rosacea: What’s Happening Beneath the Surface?

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the skin reflects the health of the Lung, Stomach, and Liver systems, particularly in terms of Qi (vital energy) and Blood circulation. Rosacea is typically seen as a heat-related condition caused by internal disharmony—whether due to emotional stress, poor digestion, accumulated toxins, or external environmental triggers.

Common TCM Patterns Associated with Rosacea:

1. Liver Heat or Liver Yang Rising
   Emotional stress, frustration, or chronic anger can cause Liver Qi to stagnate and transform into heat, which rises to the face—leading to redness, flushing, and a burning sensation.
2. Stomach Heat or Damp-Heat Accumulation
   Consuming spicy, greasy, or alcohol-rich foods can create excess heat in the Stomach. This heat rises to the skin, contributing to pustules, inflammation, and redness.
3. Blood Heat or Toxin Accumulation
   When heat or toxins accumulate in the Blood, they may surface on the skin as chronic redness, bumps, and hormonal flare-ups.
4. Wind-Heat Invasion
   Environmental factors such as wind or sun exposure can trigger flare-ups, particularly in individuals with weakened Wei Qi (defensive energy).

TCM Treatment Philosophy: Cooling the Heat, Balancing the System

TCM treatment for rosacea is tailored to the individual’s unique constitution and root imbalances. While heat is often the primary focus, some practitioners interpret facial redness as a homeostatic response to internal cold, meaning the body pushes heat to the surface to maintain balance. A full diagnosis includes tongue and pulse analysis.

Common TCM Remedies for Rosacea:

• High-dose Omega-3 (EPA/DHA) – Anti-inflammatory benefits
• Targeted Skincare – Focused on skin barrier repair
• Zinc-Based Sunscreen – Soothing and protective
• Dietary Adjustments – Cooling foods, avoiding triggers
• Gut Healing Protocols – Restoring digestive balance
• Acupuncture – Promotes Qi/Blood flow, calms inflammation
• Caution with Steroids – While effective short-term, steroids may thin the skin and dilate blood vessels with prolonged use

Best TCM Herbs for Rosacea

Herbal medicine is central to TCM's internal treatment of rosacea. Customized herbal formulas help clear heat, cool the blood, detoxify, and restore balance.

Commonly Used Herbs Include:

• Huang Qin (Scutellaria baicalensis) – Clears damp-heat, anti-inflammatory
• Sheng Di Huang (Rehmannia glutinosa) – Cools blood, nourishes Yin
• Chi Shao (Red Peony Root) – Clears Liver heat, invigorates blood
• Lian Qiao (Forsythia) – Clears heat, reduces swelling
• Jin Yin Hua (Honeysuckle Flower) – Best for pustular rosacea
• Zhi Zi (Gardenia jasminoides) – Cools Liver and Stomach heat, reduces redness

👉 These herbs are often used in formulas such as:

• Long Dan Xie Gan Tang – For Liver fire
• Qing Wei San – For Stomach heat

TCM Diagnosis & Treatments for Rosacea

1. Personalized Diagnosis in TCM

• Tongue Observation – Red tip or sides may indicate Heart or Liver heat
• Pulse Diagnosis – Rapid or wiry pulse suggests internal heat or stress
• Symptom Patterning – Analyzing digestion, sleep, emotional state, skin reactions

2. Acupuncture for Rosacea

Acupuncture helps to:

• Reduce inflammation and facial redness
• Regulate Liver and Stomach systems
• Soothe the nervous system

Key Acupuncture Points:

• LI11 (Quchi) – Clears heat
• ST44 (Neiting) – Reduces Stomach fire
• LIV2 (Xingjian) – Subdues Liver fire
• SP10 (Xuehai) – Cools and invigorates Blood
• GV14 (Dazhui) – Clears general heat, supports immunity

3. Acupressure Points for At-Home Self-Care

Apply light circular pressure for 1–2 minutes on these points, or use a cool jade roller:

• LI4 (Hegu) – Clears heat, balances immunity
• ST36 (Zusanli) – Supports digestion and Qi
• Yintang (Hall of Impression) – Calms stress-related flare-ups
• GB20 (Fengchi) – Dispels Wind, promotes circulation

4. Facial Acupuncture or Microneedling with Herbal Serums

This localized therapy helps calm flare-ups, reduce inflammation, and improve skin texture. Microneedling stimulates collagen and reduces visible vessels or acne-like bumps when paired with calming herbal serums.

Creating Balance: Inside and Out

🌿 Internal Balance

• Manage stress with breathing techniques, gentle movement, or meditation
• Support digestion with fresh vegetables and whole grains
• Limit alcohol, caffeine, spicy or greasy foods
• Avoid direct sun, wind, or extreme heat
• Drink lukewarm water to promote circulation

🧴 External Skincare Tips

• Use gentle, non-irritating cleansers with cooling herbs like chrysanthemum or cucumber
• Avoid harsh exfoliants, chemical acids, or hot water
• Keep skincare minimal – less is more for sensitive skin
• Use natural ingredients like chamomile, honeysuckle, calendula, aloe vera, or green tea

Final Thoughts: Healing Rosacea from the Inside Out

If you're struggling with rosacea and seeking a natural, long-term solution, Traditional Chinese Medicine offers a deeply holistic and personalized approach. By addressing internal imbalances, TCM helps reduce inflammation, ease redness, and promote lasting skin health.

At Naum Acupuncture, we specialize in customized treatments for rosacea—blending acupuncture, herbal therapy, microneedling, and internal healing.
📩 Book a consultation to begin your radiant skin and inner harmony.