Eliminating Melasma
Melasma is a pigment hyperplasia skin disease that troubles many middle-aged and young women. Its main manifestation is irregularly shaped, varying-sized pigmented spots on the face, typically light brown, yellowish-brown, or coffee-colored, sometimes even faint black. These spots are usually symmetrically distributed around the eyes, forehead, cheekbones, sides of the nose, and around the mouth. They have clear borders, smooth surfaces, and are neither painful nor itchy, with no scaling.
The exact cause of melasma remains unclear but appears to be linked to multiple factors. Traditional Chinese medicine treatment can achieve satisfactory results.
TCM believes that when the liver fails to regulate Qi, stagnation leads to heat accumulation over time, damaging yin and blood, resulting in poor circulation and disharmony of facial qi and blood. Spleen deficiency impairs transformation and transportation, preventing the generation of essence and nutrients needed to nourish the face. Kidney Yang deficiency and depletion of kidney essence may also contribute to melasma formation. Internal herbal decoctions must be tailored according to syndrome differentiation, yet all types share the principle of activating blood circulation and resolving stasis. The following basic formula can be modified accordingly:
Basic Formula: Angelica root tail 10g, Ligusticum wallichii 10g, Red peony root 10g, Salvia miltiorrhiza 15g, Peach kernel 6g, Safflower 6g, White芷 5g.
For Liver Qi Stagnation with Blood Stasis syndrome: symptoms include irritability, chest and hypochondriac distension, dysmenorrhea or delayed menstruation, dark purple menstrual blood with clots, purple spots on the tongue, wiry and sluggish pulse. Add Bupleurum 6g, Citrus aurantium 6g, Processed Cyperus rotundus 6g, and equal amounts of Green and Mature Tangerine peel each 6g to the basic formula.
For Spleen Deficiency with Blood Stasis syndrome: symptoms include pale or sallow complexion, fatigue, shortness of breath, palpitations, reduced appetite, epigastric fullness, delayed menstruation, pale and thin menstrual flow, pale tongue, fine pulse. Supplement the basic formula with Fried Astragalus 6g, Lu Party Ginseng 10g, Stir-fried Atractylodes 10g, Poria 10g, and Fried Glycyrrhiza 3g.
For Kidney Yang Deficiency with Cold Syndrome: symptoms include pale complexion, cold aversion, cold limbs, soreness and weakness in waist and knees, frequent urination, pale tongue with white coating, deep and fine pulse, dark brown spots that are hard to treat. Add Prepared Aconite Root 6g, Fried Cinnamon Twig 6g, Rehmannia glutinosa (prepared) 12g, Epimedium 10g, and Dodder Seed 15g to the basic formula.
All the above formulas should be taken continuously for two months, one dose per day. If effective, continue for another stage.
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