The Chinese approached this from a different perspective, and states that any disorder or ailment is due to lack of harmony with the environment, and this is the principle they applied to acne cure, a complete departure from the western approach which focuses on the immediate cause of the lesions themselves.



Acupuncture and herbal remedies are adopted in Chinese medicine to treat acne. The disharmony is thought to be heat on a Meridian Channel, or a Zang Fu organ, or even a fundamental substance, and when this 'heat' is removed, it would release the energy flow thus enabling the body to clear the infection.

Although orthodox medicine is quicker and less troublesome for acne, they are often ineffective or have undesirable side effects. The Chinese method offers a more balanced and long term cure.

However, herbal remedies are used more often and are generally more effective, but they involve a mixture of internal and external applications. The internal herbal treatments are also directed toward the five possible points of disharmony, and once again a certain amount of trial and error is needed. The external treatments involve direct application of pastes and creams to the lesions themselves.

The patient's history is usually indicated in the treatment as this may provide insight into the most effective points for treatment. The idea is that acne is an unnatural condition and its presence indicates something has gone out of balance in the patient, and it is hoped the treatment would seek to restore the balance enabling the body to use its own resources to clear the acne.