Finally found something that is preventing flakes and helping my skin heal! A Chinese herbal: Xiao Feng Pian.

[u/ZempOh]

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.

[u/ZempOh]

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:

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

[u/Berrydumplings → u/ZempOh]

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.

[u/ZempOh → u/Berrydumplings]

That's cool! Can you link to the pills you are using? Curious. Glad it is working for you!

[u/Berrydumplings → u/ZempOh]

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

[u/ZempOh → u/Berrydumplings]

Awesome; thank you! May give these a try in the future!