Male 69, architect with psoriasis and arthritic pain successfully treated with 3 months of herbal medicine

About the Author

Dr Shu Wang

Trained in both Western and Chinese medicine, Shu Wang is a renowned clinician with over 46 years experience. He has worked in China for over 20 years and has practiced in Australia for the last 25 years. Dr Wang's preference for clinical treatment is Sun Herbal's Black Pearl range. www.SunHerbal.com

Main Signs and Symptoms

Long history of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and treatment with thyroid hormone supplement. In the last 3 years severe psoriasis has developed (diagnosed as psoriasis vulgaris), which has not responded to medical treatment. Recently the rashes have become worse and he also has arthritic pain.

On inspection: chronically ill appearance, skin is generally dry and dull, large psoriatic plaque on his trunk. Patient kept scratching during the consultation. When the scaling skin is peeled off there are bleeding spots underneath (Auspitz sign). Patient feels very distressed.

After this he came for a consultation: the itching had completely resolved, and the skin lesions were barely visible.

This is a successful treatment, and I advised him to stop taking the herbal medicines.

Tongue: Deep red tongue, dark purplish discoloration around the edges, scanty coat.

Pulse: Deep-thready-wiry pulse.

Diagnosis and Treatment

Heat Toxin flourishing; Blood stasis blockage. Long term stasis transforming into Heat; Heat toxin lodged under the skin.

Treatment Principle

First stage: treat the acute symptoms and alleviate itching (acute stage treatment for Biao, branches).

Drain the Fire and resolve the Toxin; activate the Blood and dispel stasis

Treatment formulas

a) Long Dan Xie Gan Tang (Gentiana Formula)

Plus

Huo Luo Xiao Ling Dan (Salvia & Boswellia Formula)

b) Xiao Feng San (Danggui & Arctium Formula)