Acne and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) are common conditions that often affect both physical appearance and overall well-being. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), these issues are often linked, with imbalances in the gut contributing to skin problems.
This case study highlights how acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine can treat both acne and IBS simultaneously, offering a holistic approach to clear skin and improved digestive health. Learn how a personalized treatment plan helped a young woman overcome acne and constipation, and discover the powerful connection between gut health and skin health.
Table of Contents
Acne and IBS-C Development
Her acne and IBS-C symptoms appeared at the same time after she completed a long course of antibiotics, prescribed to treat food poisoning she contracted while traveling. Despite finishing the antibiotics, she continued to experience frequent constipation, severe abdominal pain, difficulty passing stool, and occasional loose bowel movements.
The acne, which was not linked to her menstrual cycle, consisted of painful, red papules and cysts around her mouth, chin, and forehead. Prior to the food poisoning, she had no history of severe acne, indicating a strong connection between the gut microbiome and the sudden onset of her skin condition.
Damp Heat and Toxicity
Upon examination, her tongue appeared red with a thick, greasy, yellow coating, and her pulse was rolling. These signs pointed to a pattern of Damp-Heat and Toxicity in the Stomach.
Diagnosis:
- Damp-Heat and Toxicity in the Stomach
Treatment Principles:
- Clear heat from the stomach
- Remove toxins
- Move blood stagnation
- Relieve constipation and abdominal pain
Treatment Plan
The patient was prescribed a daily herbal formula and she received weekly acupuncture sessions incorporating the following points to treat both her constipation and acne.
Treating Damp-Heat and Toxicity with Chinese Herbs
Acupuncture and herbal formulas were used to clear the damp-heat and toxicity.
For this patient, several key herbs were used to support her healing:
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), herbal formulas play a critical role in addressing internal imbalances such as damp-heat and toxicity. For this patient, several key herbs were used to support her healing:
- Pu Gong Ying (Dandelion): Known for its ability to clear heat and resolve toxicity, this herb is useful for acne especially around the mouth. It is commonly used for skin eruptions such as acne and to clear heat in the stomach and liver.
- Bai Hua She She Cao (Hedyotis): A potent anti-inflammatory and detoxifying herb, Bai Hua She She Cao was included to clear damp-heat and reduce inflammation, both of which were contributing to her acne and digestive issues.
- Jie Geng (Platycodon Root): This herb was added to promote lung function and the upward movement of qi, helping to eliminate phlegm and toxins from the body. By supporting the lung and large intestine relationship, Jie Geng helps with both respiratory and gastrointestinal symptoms.
- Dang Gui (Angelica Root): A well-known blood tonic, Dang Gui nourishes the blood and promotes circulation, which is essential for clearing blood stasis that can contribute to acne and sluggish digestion.
- Hong Hua (Safflower): Hong Hua is used to invigorate blood and eliminate stagnation. It was instrumental in addressing the blood stasis that was contributing to the patient’s inflammatory acne, helping to promote healing of the skin and reduce redness.
Acupuncture Treatment
Acupuncture was a key part of her healing process. The following points were selected to address her digestive issues, regulate the stomach, and reduce acne inflammation:
- LI 4 (Hegu): A powerful point for clearing heat and reducing inflammation, LI 4 helps promote circulation and reduce pain. It also regulates the Large Intestine, improving digestion and bowel movements.
- ST 36 (Zusanli): Known for its ability to tonify Qi and blood, ST 36 strengthens the digestive system, improves gut function, and helps clear damp-heat from the stomach, which was critical for her IBS-C and acne.
- ST 25 (Tianshu): This point is the Front-Mu of the Large Intestine, and it was used to relieve constipation and abdominal pain, helping to regulate bowel movements.
- Ren 12 (Zhongwan): As the Front-Mu of the Stomach, Ren 12 helps harmonize stomach function, reducing bloating, pain, and indigestion, while also addressing the root cause of the patient’s skin inflammation.
- Liv 3 (Taichong): By soothing liver Qi stagnation, Liv 3 helps to regulate digestion, reduce stress, and clear heat, which can contribute to both gut issues and acne flare-ups.
- Ashi Points on the Face: These are points near the acne on the face, located around the mouth, chin, and forehead. Needling these points directly helped reduce local inflammation, improve blood circulation to the skin, and promote healing of the acne.
Her Progress
- After one month, she reported reduced abdominal pain, more regular bowel movements, and fewer cysts forming on her skin.
- By three months, her acne had improved by 50%, with fewer inflammatory papules, and she was able to stop taking linaclotide while continuing to have regular bowel movements. Her herbal formula was adjusted to match her evolving symptoms.
- At six months, her acne was almost completely cleared, with only occasional mild comedones. Her post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation was fading quickly. She also reported consistent bowel regularity with no digestive discomfort as long as she avoided gluten. She no longer needed aloe supplements, and over the following six weeks, she was weaned off her herbal formula.
Conclusion
This case highlights the relationship between gut dysbiosis and the simultaneous onset of gastrointestinal and skin conditions like IBS-C and acne. Through a personalized combination of Chinese herbal medicine and acupuncture the patient experienced healing on multiple levels—her skin cleared, her digestion normalized, and she was able to maintain a balanced diet with minimal restrictions and no need for medications. This holistic approach addressed not just the symptoms, but the root causes, restoring her overall health and well-being.
