Psoriasis - Blood-Dryness Pattern
TCM differentiation and treatment for psoriasis with
Psoriasis · Blood-Dryness Pattern
Updated: June 23, 2026
Reviewed by: Dr. Li Wei, DACM
Reading Time: 7 min
Body Area: Skin
Pattern Overview
Blood-Dryness is a common pattern in stationary psoriasis, characterized
by **hyperkeratosis, dry skin, scaling, reduced skin hydration, and
thickened plaques. The core pathogenesis is Blood deficiency failing
to moisten the skin**, leading to abnormal epidermal turnover,
hyperkeratosis, and reduced skin hydration.
Key Symptoms and Differentiation Points
| Differentiation Dimension | Manifestations |
|---|
| Primary Symptoms |
|---|
lesion spread |
| Associated Symptoms |
|---|
sleep |
| Tongue and Pulse |
|---|
and weak pulse |
| Pathogenesis | Blood deficiency failing to moisten the skin |
|---|
| Etiology |
|---|
nutrition, aging |
Acupuncture Point Prescription
| Point | Location | Function |
|---|
| Xuehai (SP10) | On the medial thigh, 2 cun above the patella |
|---|
Nourishes Blood and moistens the skin |
| Sanyinjiao (SP6) | 3 cun above the medial malleolus |
|---|
Blood and Yin; regulates the Spleen and Kidney |
| Geshu (BL17) | Lower back, 1.5 cun lateral to T7 |
|---|
of the Blood; nourishes Blood |
| Taixi (KI3) |
|---|
tendon | Nourishes Kidney-Yin and supports Blood production |
| Zusanli (ST36) |
|---|
to the tibial crest | Strengthens Spleen and Stomach; tonifies Qi and
Blood |
Clinical Recommendation: Filament needle, reinforcing method;
moxibustion may be applied to Xuehai and Geshu to nourish Blood.
Herbal Formula
Base Formula: Dang Gui Yin Zi (当归饮子) or Yang Xue Run Fu Yin
(养血润肤饮)
Composition:
Angelica (Dang Gui), Rehmannia (Sheng Di), Prepared Rehmannia (Shu Di),
Polygonum (He Shou Wu), Ophiopogon (Mai Dong), Scrophularia (Xuan Shen),
Trichosanthes Root (Tian Hua Fen), Licorice (Gan Cao)
Action: Nourishes Blood, moistens Dryness, and reduces scaling.
Modifications
| Associated Symptoms | Additions/Subtractions |
|---|
| Severe dry skin |
|---|
moisten dryness |
| Scaling | Add Dan Shen, Ji Xue Teng to improve microcirculation |
|---|
| Poor sleep | Add Suan Zao Ren, Yuan Zhi to calm the spirit |
|---|
| Fatigue | Add Huang Qi to enhance Qi supplementation |
|---|
Western Mechanism Reference
Stationary phase epidermal hyperkeratosis and dry skin with abnormal
epidermal turnover and reduced skin hydration. Blood-Dryness corresponds
to stationary psoriasis, where reduced skin hydration and abnormal
epidermal turnover contribute to hyperkeratosis and scaling.
References
1. Dermatology of TCM - Stationary Psoriasis with Blood-Dryness.
2. 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.