Dermatrol (PS)™

TCM herbal formula for psoriasis, parapsoriasis, severe acne with pus and abscesses, and skin disorders with sores, lesions, blisters, and severe itching — antiproliferative; immunosuppressive and immunomodulatory; antipruritic; antiallergic; antihistamine; anti-inflammatory; clears heat and detoxifies; invigorates and nourishes blood

⚠️ Contraindicated during pregnancy and nursing. Patients with weak Spleen and Stomach should take with food to avoid stomach upset. Patients with yang deficiency or coldness should use with caution — Kidney Tonic (Yang) is recommended to be taken alongside for maximum effect. Contains Zhi He Shou Wu (Radix Polygoni Multiflori Praeparata) — do not use in patients with pre-existing or risk factors of liver disease. Note: use with caution in patients with yin deficiency as it may cause hot flashes.

CLINICAL APPLICATIONS

* Psoriasis, parapsoriasis, and other scaling diseases — well-circumscribed, scaling papules or plaques without wetness, crusts, and fissures

* Severe acne with pus, abscesses, and redness

* Dermatological disorders with sores, abscesses, lesions, blisters, and severe itching

Background: Psoriasis is a chronic and recurrent disease characterized by dry, well-circumscribed, silvery, scaling papules and plaques of varying sizes. Areas commonly affected include the scalp, sacral area, extensor surface of the extremities, buttocks, and penis. The exact cause is unknown, but lesions are characterized by increased epidermal cell proliferation and inflammation involving immune stimulation. Common triggers include emotional stress, sunburn, infection, and certain drugs (alcohol, beta-blockers, lithium, ACE inhibitors, indomethacin, and interferon α). There is no cure in Western medicine — drug options include lubricants, keratolytics, and corticosteroids, all with significant limitations and side effects.

TCM differentiation: Psoriasis and scaling diseases with severe itching are among the most difficult disorders to treat in TCM — various pathogenic factors may be involved simultaneously, including wind, toxic heat, dampness, and blood deficiency. Most conditions are chronic and complicated by the presence of both excess and deficient factors at the same time. Dermatrol (PS) contains many strong and potent herbs to treat both the cause and the symptoms concurrently. TCM principle: "use toxin to attack toxin" — Quan Xie (Scorpio) and Feng Fang (Nidus Vespae) are used together to relieve toxicity, dispel wind, and relieve pain.

Clinical notes:

— Because psoriasis is a difficult and stubborn disease, the treatment period is set at three months at a time, between intervals for evaluation and modification of the herbal formula(s).

— After the condition has stabilized, take 2 capsules per day for maintenance. Those with qi deficiency should add Immune +; those with blood deficiency should add Schisandra ZZZ.

— Successful treatment is highly dependent on patient cooperation with diet — alcohol, spicy food, seafood, and anything stimulating or allergy-triggering should be avoided completely during treatment.

Key herb-level clinical data:

— Bai Xian Pi (Cortex Dictamni / Dictamnus / Burning Bush Root Bark): remarkable immunosuppressive activity — inhibits proliferation of T-cells (cytotoxic terpenoids and immunosuppressive phenolic glycosides); antiallergic — inhibits scratching behavior in artificially-induced allergic atopic dermatitis in a dose-dependent manner; anti-inflammatory — fraxinellone inhibits LPS-induced iNOS and COX-2 expression via NF-κB; topical application 100% effective in treating 33 cases of suppurative dermatological disorders

— Ku Shen (Radix Sophorae Flavescentis / Sophora Flavescens / Bitter Root): antiproliferative — inhibits cell proliferation (multiple studies); antipruritic — inhibits scratching in a dose-dependent manner; reduces eicosanoid-related skin inflammation including atopic dermatitis (sophoraflavanone G, COX-2 inhibition); anti-inflammatory (oxymatrine); 79% effective rate in 148 patients with dermatological disorders including rash, itching, and eczema

— Da Qing Ye (Folium Isatidis / Isatis Leaf / Woad Leaf): antiproliferative; anti-inflammatory — tryptanthrin inhibits passive cutaneous anaphylaxis and allergic inflammation in vivo; indolinone alkaloid blocks mast cell degranulation in vitro; clinical study — formula with Da Qing Ye + Ban Lan Gen + Bai Hua She She Cao + Bai Xian Pi + Chi Shao treated 56 patients with pustular psoriasis of the palms (10 complete recovery, 24 significant improvement, 13 moderate improvement)

— Bai Hua She She Cao (Herba Hedyotis / Hedyotis / Oldenlandia): immunomodulatory; antiproliferative — anthraquinones induce apoptosis; methylanthraquinone induces Ca²⁺-mediated apoptosis in breast cancer cells

— Ban Lan Gen (Radix Isatidis / Isatis Root / Woad Root): clears heat and detoxifies; antiproliferative; pustular psoriasis formula ingredient

— Wu Shao She (Zaocys / Black-Striped Snake): excellent dispersing functions — enters internal organs and travels to skin to relieve itching; disperses wind (predominant cause of itching); treats wide range of dermatological disorders

— Mu Dan Pi (Cortex Moutan / Moutan Bark): antihistamine — significantly suppresses histamine release and prostaglandin D(2) synthesis from mast cells; anti-inflammatory; cools blood; prevents further spreading of lesions

— Chan Tui (Periostracum Cicadae / Cicada Molting): relieves itching; dispels wind; clinical study — 27 out of 30 patients with chronic urticaria successfully treated

— Jin Yin Hua (Flos Lonicerae Japonicae / Honeysuckle Flower): clears toxic heat from exterior — treats dermatological sores, lesions, ulcerations, warts, and furuncles; anti-inflammatory

— Quan Xie (Scorpio / Scorpion): relieves toxicity; dispels wind; relieves pain; treats toxic sores, mastitis, mumps, swellings, and scrofula — "use toxin to attack toxin"

— Feng Fang (Nidus Vespae / Wasp Nest): relieves toxicity; dispels wind; relieves pain; treats toxic sores, mastitis, mumps, swellings, and scrofula — "use toxin to attack toxin"

— Chi Shao (Radix Paeoniae Rubra / Red Peony Root): cools blood; prevents further spreading of lesions; pustular psoriasis formula ingredient

— Zhi He Shou Wu (Radix Polygoni Multiflori Praeparata / Prepared Fo-Ti): tonifies blood; prevents flaring of wind associated with blood deficiency; prepared form only — safe and well-tolerated (Maillard reaction processing with Hei Dou eliminates adverse reactions of unprepared root); do not use in patients with liver disease risk

— Gan Cao (Radix et Rhizoma Glycyrrhizae / Licorice): harmonizes formula; reduces toxicity of Quan Xie (Scorpio); protects stomach from cold properties of heat-clearing herbs; anti-inflammatory — glycyrrhizin and glycyrrhetinic acid stimulate glucocorticoid release and delay breakdown

WESTERN THERAPEUTIC ACTIONS

* Antiproliferative — Ku Shen (multiple studies); Da Qing Ye; Bai Hua She She Cao (anthraquinone apoptosis); Ban Lan Gen; Fang Feng (Saposhnikovia, anti-proliferative)

* Immunosuppressive / immunomodulatory — Bai Xian Pi (T-cell proliferation↓, terpenoids + phenolic glycosides); Bai Hua She She Cao (immunomodulatory)

* Antipruritic — Wu Shao She (wind dispersal, skin penetration); Ku Shen (dose-dependent, eicosanoid↓, COX-2↓, 79% / 148 patients); Bai Xian Pi (dose-dependent, atopic dermatitis); Chan Tui (27/30 chronic urticaria)

* Antiallergic — Bai Xian Pi (atopic dermatitis, dose-dependent); Da Qing Ye (tryptanthrin, passive cutaneous anaphylaxis↓)

* Antihistamine — Mu Dan Pi (histamine↓, PGD2↓, mast cells); Da Qing Ye (indolinone, mast cell degranulation↓ in vitro)

* Anti-inflammatory — Bai Xian Pi (fraxinellone, iNOS↓, COX-2↓, NF-κB); Da Qing Ye (tryptanthrin); Jin Yin Hua; Ku Shen (oxymatrine); Mu Dan Pi; Gan Cao (glycyrrhizin/glycyrrhetinic acid, glucocorticoid↑, prostaglandin synthesis↓, blood vessel permeability↓)

CHINESE THERAPEUTIC ACTIONS

* Clears heat; detoxifies (Da Qing Ye, Ban Lan Gen, Bai Hua She She Cao, Jin Yin Hua)

* Disperses wind; relieves itching (Wu Shao She, Ku Shen, Bai Xian Pi, Chan Tui)

* Relieves toxicity; dispels wind; relieves pain — "use toxin to attack toxin" (Quan Xie, Feng Fang)

* Cools blood; prevents spreading of lesions (Mu Dan Pi, Chi Shao)

* Tonifies blood; prevents wind from blood deficiency (Zhi He Shou Wu)

* Harmonizes formula; reduces toxicity; protects stomach (Gan Cao)

DOSAGE

Standard: 3–4 capsules three times daily on an empty stomach with warm water. In acute conditions, increase to 8–10 capsules three times daily for one week or until symptoms subside. After relief of symptoms, reduce to 3–4 capsules daily. Treatment period: 3 months at a time with evaluation intervals. Maintenance: 2 capsules per day after stabilization.

Supplementary formulas: Itching from wind-heat — add Silerex. Acne with redness, pain, and pus — add Dermatrol (Clear). Toxic heat with redness, pain, or skin infection — add Herbal ABX and Gardenia Complex. Excess heat with redness — add Gardenia Complex. Chronic skin condition with blood stagnation — add Circulation (SJ) or Flex (NP). Blood or yin deficiency with dry skin, flaking, and dry throat — add Schisandra ZZZ and/or Nourish (Fluids). Yin deficiency with heat and dryness — add Nourish. Ulcerations and wet lesions from damp-heat — add Gentiana Complex. Dry stools or constipation — add Gentle Lax (Excess) or Gentle Lax (Deficient). Shingles — use Dermatrol (HZ) instead. Lupus — use LPS Support instead. If desired effect is not obvious — use Dermatrol (Dry) instead.

Nutrition: Successful treatment is highly dependent on diet compliance. Avoid completely: alcohol, spicy food, seafood, and anything stimulating or allergy-triggering. Fish oil, flax seed oil, and primrose oil help reduce inflammation and are beneficial for psoriasis. Ensure adequate fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and dietary fiber. Avoid citrus fruits, fried foods, processed foods, and saturated fats.

Tao of Nutrition — Psoriasis (Dr. Maoshing Ni and Cathy McNease): Eat Chinese prunes, guava skin, pearl barley, vinegar, garlic, walnuts, cucumber, beet tops, dandelions, squash, and mung beans. Water chestnut-vinegar paste: simmer 15 peeled sliced water chestnuts in 1 cup aged rice vinegar for 20 minutes, mash into paste, apply on gauze — change daily for mild/moderate, 3x daily for serious; mild cases improve within 5 days, serious may take 2 weeks. Guava peel paste: char and powder guava peels, mix with sesame oil, apply twice daily for one week. Apply mashed garlic to affected area twice daily for one week. Avoid spicy food, stimulating food, alcohol, caffeine, smoking, and excessive sun exposure.

Tao of Nutrition — Acne: Eat squash, cucumbers, watermelon, winter melon, celery, carrots, cabbage, beet tops, dandelions, aloe vera, mulberry leaf, lettuce, potato, cherries, papaya, pear, persimmon, raspberries, buckwheat, alfalfa sprouts, millet, brown rice, mung beans, and drink plenty of water. Apply plain low-fat no-chemical yogurt — leave 20 minutes then wash off. Rub watermelon rind on acne. Apply aloe vera. Roast buckwheat, grind to powder, mix with rice vinegar into paste and apply. For oozing acne: cover with pearl barley powder overnight. For infected acne: apply dandelion poultice. Avoid fried, fatty, spicy foods, coffee, alcohol, sugar, smoking, stress, constipation, makeup, chemical cleansers, chocolate, ice cream, and soft drinks.

Lifestyle: Prevent respiratory infections — adequate rest is essential. Do not scratch affected area — increases risk of infection and scarring. Avoid psoriasis triggers: alcohol, emotional stress, sunburn, infection, and drugs (beta-blockers, lithium, ACE inhibitors, indomethacin, interferon α).

CASE STUDIES

— D.D., 45-year-old female business owner: Chronic eczema and itchy skin on hands and feet; red and heavy eyes; damp-heat and Liver disharmony. Dermatrol (PS) 3 caps 3x daily + Liver DTX same dosage. Result: less itching, fewer rashes. Note: symptoms returned during stress and sleep deprivation — lifestyle compliance essential.

— A.K., 13-year-old male: Acne with red and purulent appearance, irritable sensation; Liver qi stagnation with Liver yang rising and dampness. Dermatrol (PS) + acupuncture 2x weekly. Result: acne cleared more than 50%, minimal pus and redness, itching eliminated.

— M.Z., 15-year-old male: Large amount of pimples with blemishes and dark discoloration on cheeks, forehead, and chin; failed Western topical creams and antibiotics; damp-heat. Lonicera Complex + Dermatrol (PS). Result at 3 weeks: blemishes and purple patches vanished. Continued at 2 capsules daily for maintenance.

— S.W., 54-year-old female: Childhood psoriasis — scaly, dry, red, itchy patches on various body parts; gluten aggravation; blood heat, blood deficiency, and Liver qi stagnation. Dermatrol (PS) 6 caps 2x daily + acupuncture. Result at 2 weeks: skin cleared. Result at 4 months: free of all signs of psoriasis.

— 33-year-old female: Eczema on hands, wrists, and face — itchy, dry, thicker and paler than surrounding skin; 4 years of steroid creams and prescription drugs without satisfactory results; blood deficiency leading to blood dryness and wind. Dermatrol (PS). Result: complete resolution of eczema on face and arms; skin on wrists and hands may remain discolored. Overall helped tremendously.

— L.W., 22-year-old male: Septic facial acne; very depressed, refused to be seen in public; damp-heat with Liver qi stagnation. Dermatrol (PS) + Shine + Yin Care topical wash diluted with tea tree oil. Result at 1 week: acne 80% resolved, depression improving. Result at 28 days: acne completely gone.

— 26-year-old male farmer: History of alcohol consumption; psoriatic flakes throughout head and body; severe itching, thirst, irritability, constipation, dysuria, open lesions from scratching; red tongue with yellow greasy coat, thready rapid pulse; accumulation of heat and toxins. Dermatrol (PS). Result at 2 weeks: marked improvement — itching reduced, skin lesions healing, fewer psoriatic flakes. Continued one more week until complete resolution.

— 31-year-old female: Family history of chronic psoriasis on elbows, knees, and sacrum; vaginal itching and burning; toxic damp-heat in the Liver. V-Support + Dermatrol (PS) + Yin Care topical wash (skin and vaginal) + acupuncture. Treatment period: 2 years. Result: continued improvement — symptoms returned when herbs were stopped.

Related Reading

Also see: Dermatrol (Dry) – for red, dry, flaky skin (alternative if Dermatrol PS effect is not obvious) | Dermatrol (Clear) – for acne with redness, pain, and pus | Dermatrol (HZ) – for shingles | Silerex – for severe itching from wind-heat | Herbal ABX – for skin infection | Gardenia Complex – for toxic heat and excess heat | Circulation (SJ) – for chronic skin conditions with blood stagnation | Nourish – for yin deficiency with heat and dryness | LPS Support – for lupus | Skin Health Collection | Hair, Skin & Nails Support Collection.