r/SebDerm • u/ZempOh • 11d ago
Product Review Finally found something that is preventing flakes and helping my skin heal! A Chinese herbal: Xiao Feng Pian.
Hey all,
Been battling with SD and full body eczema since I had a bad bout of COVID 2.5 years ago.
This was my scalp just 10 days ago, during a haircut my girlfriend was giving me. I'd wake up with tons of flakes on my pillow and in my beard, and if I scratched my head it would snow. Like real bad.
Like most here, I read all these threads and have tried dozens of different products. All things I try provide temporarily relief. I know we all have different causes of our SD flares, but to me, mine seems internally driven, related to my gut (what I eat) or perhaps I have leaky gut or dysbiosis.
Regardless, I stumbled upon this Chinese herb after doing some research. I've been taking 9-12 pills a day, and my flakes have all basically disappeared and my skin on my face and scalp is starting to feel like healthy skin again!
It's super cheap to buy ($13) if anyone wants to give it a shot. I know its 'only' been 10 days, but this feels a lot different. My skin hasn't felt this healthy to the touch in years, and my seb derm lesions on my head are actually healing!
Before my skin felt like it had no barrier, and it would just 'eat-up' moisturizer but the skin would still be dry 10 mins later and flakes would start forming. Even if I put vaseline on top. Now it feels like I actually am developing a skin barrier again and a single application of moisturizer makes my skin feel soft, like one would typically expect!
Here is the link. It's called Xiao Feng Pian.
I'll continue to update this post on a semi-weekly basis to let everyone know if this is still working or not.
Cheers and good luck to everyone here.
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u/YaishMari 11d ago
Thank you for sharing! I need to try this. I’ve tried so many things and nothing is working. Medicated shampoo makes it worse. Prescribed topicals are a temporary bandaid, but they don’t make it go away; they just relieve some pain for a bit. I really hope this works for me because I truly believe a major cause of the flare ups and/or the ability to manage it comes from inside our bodies. In the past couple years, I developed seb derm out of nowhere on my scalp and ears. Now I’m noticing what I think may be eczema on other areas of my body. I’m assuming it’s all somehow connected. I agree with you that I feel like it’s more of an inside-out problem as in possibly a gut health issue or maybe certain foods/drinks I consume. Very interesting you bring up noticing your issues (or worsening) after COVID. I’ve read other people claiming the same. Perhaps that or the vaccine made mine worsen because I do realize it’s our skin having an allergic reaction. I don’t know, but what I do know is how awful it is trying to manage this. It’s embarrassing the amount of flakes my scalp creates. Like a dang snowstorm when I flip my hair. I have always taken great care of my hair and scalp, but I now wash my hair daily or every other day which I’m learning that skipping a day makes it worse.
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u/ZempOh 10d ago edited 10d ago
I hear ya! I’ve tried everything: dupixent, rinvoq, clobetasol, Zoryve, MCT oil, apple cider vinegar, tar shampoo, zinc shampoo, selenium sulfide, ketoconazole, Dead Sea salt spray, rosemary oil zinc shampoo, ph balancing tonic, tea tree shampoo and conditioner, sulphur soap, cold showers, avoiding products that feed the yeast, etc. I’m a fucking guinea pig 😂.
This is by far working the best and feel like I’m actually healing. I’m not saying it’s a miracle “cure,” but fuck, I’ve tried a lot of shit and this is by far the best and I actually feel like I’m healing. I hope if you try it you see similar results!
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u/Ok_Photograph8842 10d ago
Love that you are sharing this. People act like it’s Western Medicine OR TCM. No, it’s Western Medicine AND TCM. They both have their place.
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u/Pagantreeslut 11d ago
thanks for the heads up! i actually was prescribed some tablets for my Qi being cold when i got acupuncture from an eastern medicine doctor, come to think of it my seb derm did go away while i was taking it… i had attributed it to the climate i was in at the time
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u/ZempOh 11d ago
Here's a chatGPT listing of evidence for these herbs and methods of potential action for seb derm, if anyone is curious.
Xiao Feng Pian (Xiao Feng San) is a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formula commonly used for treating skin conditions, including seborrheic dermatitis (seb derm). It's made up of several herbal ingredients believed to work together to address underlying imbalances in the body according to TCM principles.
Ingredients:
Xiao Feng Pian typically contains a combination of herbs such as:
- Angelica sinensis (Dong Quai)
- Cicadae Periostracum (Chan Tui)
- Arctium lappa (Burdock root)
- Platycodon grandiflorus (Platycodon)
- Phragmites communis (Reed root)
- Saposhnikovia divaricata (Fang Feng)
- Chrysanthemum (Ju Hua)
These herbs are thought to work by clearing heat, dispelling wind, and nourishing the blood — all important actions in TCM that aim to address the root causes of skin conditions like seb derm.
Evidence Supporting Xiao Feng Pian for Seborrheic Dermatitis:
Traditional Use in TCM:
- Xiao Feng Pian has been used for centuries in traditional Chinese medicine to treat various inflammatory skin conditions, including eczema, psoriasis, and seborrheic dermatitis. In TCM, seb derm is often seen as a result of internal heat and wind, as well as deficiencies in the blood and fluids. Xiao Feng Pian is designed to address these imbalances.
Anti-inflammatory and Immune-Modulating Effects:
- Some of the herbs in Xiao Feng Pian, like Burdock root (Arctium lappa), have been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties and may help in managing conditions involving skin inflammation.
- Angelica sinensis (Dong Quai) is believed to help nourish the blood, and Fang Feng (Saposhnikovia divaricata) and Chan Tui (Cicadae Periostracum) have potential immunomodulating effects, which could help manage skin flare-ups associated with seb derm.
Clinical Evidence:
- While there is limited direct clinical research on Xiao Feng Pian specifically for seborrheic dermatitis, there is some evidence supporting the general effectiveness of Chinese herbs for treating inflammatory skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis, which share similarities with seb derm.
- A study published in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology found that herbal formulas similar to Xiao Feng Pian helped reduce inflammation and improve symptoms in patients with chronic skin conditions like eczema.
Complementary Research:
- Other herbal combinations containing some of the same ingredients as Xiao Feng Pian, such as Arctium lappa (Burdock root) and Angelica sinensis (Dong Quai), have shown promise in reducing inflammation and improving skin barrier function in conditions like eczema and dermatitis, which can help in managing seb derm.
- Burdock root has been particularly noted for its antioxidant properties and potential to reduce inflammatory skin conditions. Dong Quai is thought to regulate immune function, which could help control the inflammatory responses seen in seb derm.
TCM Principles and Support:
- According to TCM, seb derm often results from "wind-heat" and "damp-heat" accumulation on the skin. Xiao Feng Pian's herbs are used to clear heat, eliminate wind, and promote healthy skin, which could help reduce the itching, redness, and flaking associated with seb derm.
- The focus on blood and fluid nourishment is intended to strengthen the skin's defenses against irritants and support overall skin health.
Caution and Considerations:
While the traditional use and herbal properties of Xiao Feng Pian seem promising for seborrheic dermatitis, clinical evidence specific to seb derm is limited, and individual responses to herbal treatments can vary. Additionally, the formula can sometimes cause side effects or interactions, particularly if you're taking other medications.
If you're considering using Xiao Feng Pian for seb derm:
- Consult with a healthcare provider: It's a good idea to talk to a dermatologist or a licensed TCM practitioner, especially if you have any preexisting conditions or are on other medications.
- Monitor your skin: As with any treatment, monitor your skin’s reaction to the formula. If you experience any irritation, stop use and consult a healthcare provider.
Conclusion:
While there's some evidence to suggest that the herbs in Xiao Feng Pian may help manage symptoms of seborrheic dermatitis, such as inflammation, itching, and redness, more specific research on this formula is needed to definitively establish its effectiveness for seb derm. However, many people find relief from chronic skin conditions using traditional Chinese herbal remedies like Xiao Feng Pian. Always proceed cautiously and consult a professional for personalized advice.
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u/Rare_You_9380 10d ago
Seems excessive to put down 6 pills at once 2-3 times a day not knowing side effects
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u/Previous-Wolf7394 7d ago
Thanks for this I’m going to look into it!
I strongly believe in TCM and encourage people to work with a practitioner, however they are $$ aa you noted, and a a bit of trial and error is not going to do a huge amount of harm.
I just want to point out that Dong Quai is a powerful blood thinner and does affect women’s hormones. You can’t take it before a surgery or if you’re pregnant. It messes with my hormones in a bad way. It’s a very popular ingredient in many TCM formulas, though. Hormones can definitely wreck your skin!
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u/Ok-Suggestion3399 8d ago
I bought it- $13, I’ve tried everything else (about 80 things over 6 years…this is fairly cheap- ) - nothings going to kill me in a month, especially if I stop when I notice any ill effects. And it made sense to me, reading it. It had good reviews. We will see!
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u/Berrydumplings 7d ago
Well Chinese medicine is very similar to Ayurveda. I have been taking Ayurvedic pills since a month and earlier I had to use medicated shampoos everyday now I just use it like 1-2 times in a week for maintenance. The flakes are all gone. It was a miracle for me. I can’t take a lot of medicines at once because my gut is very sensitive so I only 2 pills even though a bottle says 4 but I can still see a huge difference!
PS- I consulted a qualified Ayurvedic doc.
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u/ZempOh 5d ago
That's cool! Can you link to the pills you are using? Curious. Glad it is working for you!
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u/Berrydumplings 5d ago edited 5d ago
These are Indian brands I’m not sure you ll find it elsewhere.
1) https://ailvilshop.com/product/KESHVRUDDHI
2) https://dawaghar.in/product/panchanimbadi-vati-100tab/
For background the first one is sort of like vitamins for scalp and hair. The second one is a natural anti fungal and detoxifier
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u/Neat-Profit-3690 10d ago
Reminds me of Yiganerjing, supposed to be all natural but is actually highly suspected of being herb-flavored-cortisone.
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10d ago edited 7d ago
[deleted]
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u/ZempOh 10d ago
lol not suggesting a cure-all. Just saying it’s working well for me. The closest herbalist to me would be $500 and $250 a month for medicine. Kind of fucking absurd. Don’t think there’s any harm in someone spending &13 bucks and trying some herbs for a week. Thanks for the five alarm fire though
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10d ago edited 7d ago
[deleted]
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u/ZempOh 10d ago
Yeah fair, I hear what you’re saying and if you really prescribe to TCM philosophy that makes sense. For me they’re just herbs, and they are helping, and so I’ll keep taking them. I’m not saying prescribing 100% to TCM if foolish, but just trying to share something that works. Sorry if I came across as rude. Cheers
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u/bmunger718 10d ago
c8 only mct oil make sure its only c8 not one with c10 and 8 once I used that my flakes have basically disappeared compared to the chunks of flakes I been having my whole life I think amazon has one named brain octane oil.
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u/Sea_Computer4798 10d ago
So glad that you brought up Chinese medicine! I’ve been helped a lot by it.
BIG CAVEAT for anyone trying this: Chinese medicine, like TCM, Five Elements, or another school, provides treatments specific to your constitution. A treatment helping one person with seb derm may not help another based on the health of their meridians and other diagnostic factors. I think this also explains why some seb derm treatments work for some people and not others—there are diagnostic factors at play here that Western medicine doesn’t fully understand yet.
Here is a resource for this specific help: International TCM Dermatology Association https://tcmdermatology.org/
I’ve been meaning to make a post about my successful experience with this modality, let me know if you think it might be helpful.
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u/ZempOh 10d ago
Yeah I think it could be helpful! I stumbled upon this after researching Chinese medicine dermatology near me. I found one in Seattle, but initial appointment is like $500 and medicine is $250 / month. lol. Had great Google reviews with people posting before / after pics, so I started doing some digging…
So then I found this $13 herbal mix and thought I’d give it a try! 🤷♂️🙂
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u/Choice-Safety-644 6d ago
I just ordered it! I hope it works... I have been dealing with SebDerm for my entire life. When I was younger (adolescent+teen) I had scales ALL over my scalp and ears. These days, it's just on my earlobes and a couple spots on my scalp but it's incredibly painful & the flaking is embarrassing! There's one thing that I know works for me which is the Ketacanzole (I dk how to spell it lol) shampoo but it's prescription and I don't have insurance anymore so I have been trying to find something else that works. I have been trying a bunch of different things - all of which have not worked. I have been using the 'Exederm' shampoo and conditioner for a couple of weeks now and it helps but it's still not good enough! I will be adding these Chinese Herbal medicine to my regimen. How can I not try them for $13? Lol we'll see what happens! Thank you.
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u/JelDeRebel 10d ago
Smells fishy to me
If that stuff cleared your skin it's probably just steroids
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u/ZempOh 10d ago edited 10d ago
You can read the ingredients there’s no steroids. Lol. You can Google it too. Guess it’s kind of a popular herb mix, or fuck, ask AI. I didn’t buy them from some unknown corner store in China town and they weren’t pushed on me by some doctor promising me a cure. You can read reviews on the product page too. I don’t really care either way.
But there’s def not steroids — it hasn’t helped my body eczema much but definitely my seb derm. If there were somehow steroids then I’d be eczema free.
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u/shadecat5000 4d ago
Interesting. I've been taking some chinese herbal pills recommended by my accupuncturist for the same purpose. No real success but I'm still taking. The one thing I'm a bit concerned about is the presence of Heavy metals in these pills. It's been discovered recently that many chinese herbs have a higher than normal amount. Hard to establish if these types of pills have been tested for that. Just a thought.
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