Acne - Damp-Heat Accumulation Pattern
TCM differentiation and treatment for acne with Damp-Heat
Acne · Damp-Heat Accumulation Pattern
Updated: June 23, 2026
Reviewed by: Dr. Li Wei, DACM
Reading Time: 7 min
Body Area: Face/Skin
Pattern Overview
Damp-Heat Accumulation is a common pattern in acne, characterized by
**seborrhea with inflammation, cystic acne, oily skin, nodules, painful
lesions, and pustules. The core pathogenesis is accumulation of
Damp-Heat in the skin**, causing sebaceous gland inflammation, cystic
lesion formation, and severe acne.
Key Symptoms and Differentiation Points
| Differentiation Dimension | Manifestations |
|---|
| Primary Symptoms |
|---|
painful lesions |
| Associated Symptoms |
|---|
irritability |
| Tongue and Pulse |
|---|
and rapid pulse |
| Pathogenesis | Damp-Heat accumulating in the skin |
|---|
| Etiology |
|---|
consumption, stress |
Acupuncture Point Prescription
| Point | Location | Function |
|---|
| Quchi (LI11) | Lateral end of the elbow crease |
|---|
detoxifies |
| Hegu (LI4) |
|---|
metacarpals | Disperses Wind and clears Heat |
| Yinlingquan (SP9) | Below the medial condyle of the tibia |
|---|
Transforms Dampness and drains Heat |
| Fenglong (ST40) |
|---|
to the tibial crest | Transforms Phlegm and Dampness |
| Sanyinjiao (SP6) | 3 cun above the medial malleolus |
|---|
Dampness and nourishes Blood |
Clinical Recommendation: Filament needle, reducing method; may
combine with cupping to drain Damp-Heat.
Herbal Formula
Base Formula: Yin Chen Hao Tang (茵陈蒿汤) or Huang Lian Jie Du Tang
(黄连解毒汤)
Composition:
Artemisia (Yin Chen Hao), Gardenia (Zhi Zi), Rhubarb (Da Huang),
Scutellaria (Huang Qin), Coptis (Huang Lian), Phellodendron (Huang Bai),
Licorice (Gan Cao)
Action: Clears Damp-Heat, detoxifies, and reduces cystic lesions.
Modifications
| Associated Symptoms | Additions/Subtractions |
|---|
| Cystic acne | Add Jin Yin Hua, Lian Qiao to clear Heat and detoxify |
|---|
| Oily skin | Add Bai Xian Pi, Ku Shen to reduce sebum |
|---|
| Painful lesions | Add Ru Xiang, Mo Yao to relieve pain |
|---|
| Constipation | Add Da Huang to drain heat |
|---|
Western Mechanism Reference
Seborrhea with inflammation, elevated fatty acid content in sebum, and
NF-κB inflammatory pathway activation. Damp-Heat Accumulation
corresponds to cystic acne, where elevated sebum fatty acid content and
NF-κB pathway activation contribute to severe inflammatory lesions.
References
1. Dermatology of TCM - Acne with Damp-Heat Accumulation.
2. Zang-Fu Pattern Differentiation: Damp-Heat → Clearing Pathway.
3. WHO. (2023). Skin health. World Health Organization.
Explore More
- Find your solution at MendGod.com –
Personalized herbal protocols and acupressure tools for skin health.
- Deepen your knowledge at TcmCIO.com – Full
research papers and clinical case studies on TCM dermatology.
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Last reviewed: June 2026 | Lead author: Dr. Li Wei, DACM | Content updated: Monthly
Disclaimer: This guide is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Consult a licensed healthcare provider before starting any treatment.