About the Author
Main Signs and Symptoms
Teenage girl presented to my clinic with a typical case of teenage acne. Mother was keen to try herbal medicine as she was concerned of the side-effects of pharmaceutical medications.
On inspection: mainly affecting the forehead, some legions around the cheeks. Patient distressed.
After 4 weeks of treatment, the girl returned to my clinic. The legions had resolved and I advised the girl to stop taking the herbal medicines. This was a successful treatment.
Diagnosis and Treatment
The girl presented with a typical case of teenage acne due to syndrome known in Chinese Medicine as “Liver Fire”. Thus, the treatment principal is to Drain Fire. The standard formula I use for these cases is:
Long Dan Xie Gan Wan (Gentiana Formula)
The girl reported that the legions began to clear within 3 days. At 4 weeks, her face was completely clear. I advised to discontinue treatment and to return if the legions reappeared.
Note: the dose of this formula needs to be high to achieve a quick clinical effect.