Dermatrol (HZ)™

TCM herbal formula for shingles (herpes zoster) with skin lesions and nerve pain — antiviral; anti-inflammatory; analgesic; drains damp-heat; purges fire; eliminates toxins; tonifies underlying deficiencies; nourishes yin

⚠️ Bitter and cold formula — may cause nausea and vomiting in individuals with a sensitive stomach; take with food to minimize adverse reactions. Discontinue when symptoms clear — not for long-term use. If shingles lesions appear near the eyes, see an ophthalmologist immediately — untreated herpes zoster of the eye may lead to blindness. Shingles blisters are contagious — fluid can cause chickenpox (not shingles) in others; avoid direct skin contact.

CLINICAL APPLICATIONS

* Shingles (herpes zoster / zona zoster) — acute viral inflammation of the sensory ganglia of spinal and cranial nerves with vesicular eruption and neuralgic pain

* Shingles with skin lesions and nerve pain

* Post-herpetic neuralgia (in combination with Flex (NP))

Background: Shingles is caused by re-activation of the varicella-zoster virus (human herpes virus type 3) — the same virus that causes chickenpox. It presents as an acute viral inflammation of the sensory ganglia of spinal and cranial nerves associated with vesicular eruption and neuralgic pain. There is no specific treatment in Western medicine — antiviral drugs such as Zovirax (acyclovir) and Valtrex (valacyclovir) are recommended only for immunocompromised patients; most drugs relieve symptoms but do not change the course of infection or reduce its severity. Shingles attacks may be triggered by emotional or physical stress, spinal cord injuries, and conditions causing immunodeficiency.

TCM differentiation: Shingles is generally diagnosed as the presence of damp-heat, fire, and toxins accompanied by underlying deficiencies. The history of treating shingles in TCM is well-documented — first recorded in Huang Di Nei Jing (Yellow Emperor's Inner Classic) from the second century A.D. Dermatrol (HZ) drains damp-heat, purges fire, eliminates toxins, and tonifies the underlying deficiencies simultaneously.

Clinical notes:

— Begin herbal therapy immediately upon the first warning signs — headache, flu-like symptoms (usually without fever), sensitivity to light, followed by itching, tingling, or severe pain in the area of the rash. Double the dosage on the first two days to speed up initial onset of action.

— Continue until the course of infection is terminated. If pain persists after lesions clear, herbs may be continued a few more days. Acupuncture is more effective for treating pain after herpetic lesions have cleared.

— Herpetic lesions can also be treated topically in conjunction with oral herbs:

  § Topical paste: Mix extract granules of 2 parts Da Huang (Radix et Rhizoma Rhei), 2 parts Huang Bo (Cortex Phellodendri Chinensis), 1 part Wu Bei Zi (Galla Chinensis), and 1 part Mang Xiao (Natrii Sulfas) with petroleum jelly. Apply topically and cover with gauze; change daily.

  § Herbal wash: Mix 1 tablespoon of Hai Jin Sha (Spora Lygodii) extract granule with 1 cup of water; apply topically as a wash after shower.

Key herb-level clinical data:

— Dao Di Wu Gong (Rhizoma Helminthostachydis / Helminthostachys): principle herb — unique effect to clear heat and eliminate toxins; documented to effectively treat shingles in both internal and topical formulations; topical application of Dao Di Wu Gong + Long Dan effectively treats herpes zoster

— Huang Bo (Cortex Phellodendri Chinensis / Phellodendron): both ethanol and water extract show specific antiviral activity against the herpes virus; anti-inflammatory — inhibits proinflammatory cytokines in a dose-dependent manner (berberine, NF-κB signaling)

— Huang Qin (Radix Scutellariae / Scutellaria Baicalensis): wide-spectrum antiviral — baicalein and wogonin boost innate antiviral immunity by stimulating cytokine production and increasing resistance to viral infection in human leukocytes; anti-inflammatory — inhibits NO, COX-2, PGE2, and proinflammatory cytokines (MAP kinase signaling); neuralgia — formula containing Huang Qin + Chi Shao showed marked effect for neuralgia affecting various body parts

— Pu Gong Ying (Herba Taraxaci / Dandelion): described as "highly effective" against the herpes virus in a study evaluating 472 traditional medicinal herbs for antiviral effect

— Huang Lian (Rhizoma Coptidis / Coptis / Goldthread / Berberine): antiviral; anti-inflammatory — suppresses TNF-α, IL-1β, and nitric oxide

— Gan Cao (Radix et Rhizoma Glycyrrhizae / Licorice): antiviral — water extract inhibits enterovirus 71; anti-inflammatory — glycyrrhizin and glycyrrhetinic acid enhance cortisone duration (~1/10th potency of cortisone); harmonizes formula

— Zi Hua Di Ding (Herba Violae / Viola Yedoensis): antiviral — anti-HIV cyclotides; clears heat and eliminates toxins; facilitates healing of herpetic lesions and sores

— Jing Jie (Herba Schizonepetae / Schizonepeta): analgesic and anti-inflammatory — reduces COX and nitric oxide synthase levels; relieves itching and general skin discomfort; facilitates healing of lesions

— Lian Qiao (Fructus Forsythiae / Forsythia): anti-inflammatory and analgesic; clears heat and toxins from exterior; treats lesions and sores

— Zhi Zi (Fructus Gardeniae / Gardenia): marked analgesic effect — effective internally and externally; clears heat and fire throughout the body

— Chi Shao (Radix Paeoniae Rubra / Red Peony Root): antiviral; activates blood circulation; relieves pain; ensures proper healing of lesions; neuralgia formula ingredient

— Long Dan (Radix et Rhizoma Gentianae / Gentiana): clears damp-heat from Liver and Gallbladder channels; drains damp-heat through urination; topical application treats herpes zoster

— Jin Qian Cao (Herba Lysimachiae / Lysimachia / Gold Coin Grass): clears damp-heat from Liver and Gallbladder channels; drains damp-heat through urination

— Jin Yin Hua (Flos Lonicerae Japonicae / Honeysuckle Flower): clears heat and toxins from exterior; treats lesions and sores

— Niu Bang Zi (Fructus Arctii / Burdock / Arctium Lappa): clears heat and eliminates toxins from interior; treats lesions and sores

— Chong Lou (Rhizoma Paridis / Paris Rhizome): clears heat and eliminates toxins from interior; facilitates healing of herpetic lesions and sores

— Di Huang (Radix Rehmanniae / Rehmannia): nourishes yin; clears deficiency heat; prevents bitter and cold herbs from consuming yin and fluids

— Mu Dan Pi (Cortex Moutan / Moutan Bark): nourishes yin; clears deficiency heat; prevents bitter and cold herbs from consuming yin and fluids

WESTERN THERAPEUTIC ACTIONS

* Antiviral (herpes zoster / varicella-zoster) — Huang Bo (ethanol + water extract, anti-herpes simplex); Huang Qin (baicalein + wogonin, innate immunity↑, cytokines↑); Pu Gong Ying ("highly effective," 472-herb study); Huang Lian; Gan Cao (enterovirus 71↓); Chi Shao; Zi Hua Di Ding (anti-HIV cyclotides)

* Anti-inflammatory — Huang Qin (NO↓, COX-2↓, PGE2↓, MAP kinase); Huang Lian (TNF-α↓, IL-1β↓, NO↓); Huang Bo (proinflammatory cytokines↓, dose-dependent, NF-κB); Gan Cao (glycyrrhizin/glycyrrhetinic acid, cortisone-enhancing, ~1/10th cortisone); Jing Jie (COX↓, NOS↓); Lian Qiao

* Analgesic — Zhi Zi (internal and external); Lian Qiao; Jing Jie (COX↓, NOS↓); Chi Shao + Huang Qin (neuralgia formula)

* Lesion healing / skin repair — Dao Di Wu Gong (topical + internal, shingles-specific); Zi Hua Di Ding; Chong Lou; Jing Jie (itching↓, skin discomfort↓)

CHINESE THERAPEUTIC ACTIONS

* Drains damp-heat from Liver and Gallbladder channels (Long Dan, Jin Qian Cao — through urination)

* Clears damp-heat from upper, middle, and lower jiaos (Huang Lian, Huang Qin, Huang Bo, Zhi Zi)

* Clears heat and toxins from exterior — treats lesions and sores (Jin Yin Hua, Lian Qiao, Jing Jie)

* Clears heat and eliminates toxins from interior — treats lesions and sores (Niu Bang Zi, Pu Gong Ying, Zi Hua Di Ding, Chong Lou)

* Purges fire; eliminates toxins (Dao Di Wu Gong — principle herb)

* Activates blood circulation; relieves pain; promotes healing (Chi Shao)

* Nourishes yin; clears deficiency heat; protects fluids (Di Huang, Mu Dan Pi)

* Harmonizes formula (Gan Cao)

DOSAGE

Standard: 4 capsules three times daily during the entire course of infection. Begin immediately upon first warning signs. Double the dosage on the first two days for faster onset of action. Discontinue when the course of infection is terminated.

Supplementary formulas: Genital herpes — combine with Gentiana Complex. Oral herpes — combine with Lonicera Complex. Enhance antiviral effect — add Herbal AVR. Post-herpetic nerve pain — combine with Flex (NP). Strengthen immune system and minimize recurrences — use Immune + and Nourish regularly at low doses. Chronic pain without blisters but dark appearance at lesion site — add Circulation (SJ). Fever — add Gardenia Complex.

Nutrition: Beneficial nutrients: garlic, L-lysine, calcium, magnesium, vitamins A, B, C, and E. Beneficial foods: brewer's yeast, brown rice, garlic, raw fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and vitamin-rich foods. Avoid spicy, fried, or greasy foods. Avoid foods high in L-carnitine (peanuts, chocolate, corn) and L-arginine (correlation with herpetic viral activity). Avoid shellfish and seafood. Avoid spicy/pungent/aromatic vegetables: pepper, garlic, onions, basil, rosemary, cumin, fennel, anise, leeks, chives, scallions, thyme, saffron, wormwood, mustard, chili pepper, and wasabi. Tao of Nutrition (Dr. Maoshing Ni and Cathy McNease): apply grated raw yam locally, or mix with a pinch of borax.

Lifestyle: Avoid triggers: emotional or physical stress, spinal cord injuries, and immunodeficiency conditions. Avoid direct skin contact with others — shingles blister fluid is contagious and can cause chickenpox. Take good general care of skin sores — do not scratch blisters; keep skin clean and dry. Be careful at the gym — virus may be transmitted through exercise mats and physical contact. Wet and cold compresses are helpful and soothing. Avoid alcohol and tobacco products.

CASE STUDIES

— 65-year-old male farmer: Shingles lesions starting at left chest area one week prior, spreading throughout ribs and back; burning, stabbing, extremely painful; yellow urine, normal bowel movement, wiry-forceful pulse; damp-heat and Liver fire. Dermatrol (HZ) orally + Hai Jin Sha (Spora Lygodii) herbal wash topically once daily. Result at 4 days: lesions decreased in size, pain reduced significantly. Result at 7 days: complete recovery.

— 58-year-old female (E.S.): Itching and severe burning on right side of face and scalp; red discoloration at pain sites; allopathic antiviral and analgesic medicines taken with unsatisfactory results; deficiency of yin and blood with rising damp/heat/fire/toxins. Dermatrol (HZ) + acupuncture. Result after 2nd acupuncture treatment: pain reduced by 50%. Result at 1 month: pain nearly eliminated — Dermatrol (HZ) had a synergistic effect with acupuncture.

Related Reading

Also see: Herbal AVR – to enhance antiviral effect | Flex (NP) – for post-herpetic nerve pain | Gentiana Complex – for genital herpes | Lonicera Complex – for oral herpes | Immune + – to strengthen immune system and reduce recurrences | Nourish – to tonify yin and reduce recurrences | Circulation (SJ) – for chronic pain with dark lesion appearance | Gardenia Complex – for fever | Immune Support & Inflammation Collection | Skin Health Collection.