Acne - Lung Channel Wind-Heat Pattern

Dr. Li Wei, DACM

Acne · Lung Channel Wind-Heat Pattern

Updated: June 23, 2026

Reviewed by: Dr. Li Wei, DACM

Reading Time: 7 min

Body Area: Face/Skin

Pattern Overview

Lung Channel Wind-Heat is a common pattern in acne, characterized by sebum overproduction with Propionibacterium acnes proliferation, inflammatory papules, pustules, itching, and erythema. The core pathogenesis is Wind-Heat in the Lung Channel ascending to the face, causing sebaceous gland inflammation and acne lesion formation.

Key Symptoms and Differentiation Points

| Differentiation Dimension | Manifestations |

| :— | :— |

| Primary Symptoms | Inflammatory papules, pustules, blackheads/whiteheads, itching |

| Associated Symptoms | Dry mouth, mild fever, nasal congestion, red eyes |

| Tongue and Pulse | Red tongue with thin yellow coating, floating and rapid pulse |

| Pathogenesis | Wind-Heat in the Lung Channel ascending to the face |

| Etiology | Spicy food intake, external Wind-Heat, stress, hormonal fluctuations |

Acupuncture Point Prescription

| Point | Location | Function |

| :— | :— | :— |

| Hegu (LI4) | Dorsum of the hand, between the 1st and 2nd metacarpals | Disperses Wind-Heat and clears the Lung |

| Quchi (LI11) | Lateral end of the elbow crease | Clears Heat and detoxifies |

| Lieque (LU7) | Above the wrist, on the radial side, in the depression between the tendons | Diffuses the Lung and disperses Wind-Heat |

| Chize (LU5) | On the elbow crease, lateral side of the biceps tendon | He-Sea point of Lung meridian; clears Lung Heat |

| Dazhui (GV14) | Below the spinous process of C7 | Clears Heat and releases the exterior |

Clinical Recommendation: Filament needle, reducing method; may combine with facial acupuncture on local lesions.

Herbal Formula

Base Formula: Pi Pa Qing Fei Yin (枇杷清肺饮)

Composition:

Loquat Leaf (Pi Pa Ye), Mulberry Bark (Sang Bai Pi), Coptis (Huang Lian), Phellodendron (Huang Bai), Ginseng (Ren Shen), Licorice (Gan Cao)

Action: Disperses Wind-Heat, clears the Lung, and reduces inflammation.

Modifications

| Associated Symptoms | Additions/Subtractions |

| :— | :— |

| Inflammatory papules | Add Jin Yin Hua, Lian Qiao to clear Heat and detoxify |

| Itching | Add Bai Xian Pi, Ku Shen to stop itching |

| Dry mouth | Add Tian Hua Fen, Ge Gen to generate fluids |

| Redness | Add Dan Shen, Chi Shao to cool blood |

Western Mechanism Reference

Sebum overproduction with Propionibacterium acnes proliferation, and TLR2 receptor activation. Lung Channel Wind-Heat corresponds to inflammatory acne, where Propionibacterium acnes activates TLR2 receptors, triggering inflammatory cytokine release and acne lesion formation.

References

  1. Dermatology of TCM - Acne with Lung Channel Wind-Heat.

  2. Zang-Fu Pattern Differentiation: Wind-Heat Invading the Lung → Clearing Pathway.

  3. WHO. (2023). Skin health. World Health Organization.

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