Herbal Remedies for Psoriasis: How QICAOGANGMU Aligns with Traditional Chinese Medicine (2026)
Traditional Chinese Medicine and modern ingredient research
Traditional Chinese Medicine describes psoriasis through patterns such as Blood Heat, Blood Stasis and Blood Dryness. Modern medicine explains psoriasis through immune activity, inflammation and rapid skin-cell turnover. These are different systems, but modern research on several traditional herbs can help readers understand why they remain of interest in skin research.
Quick reference: key herbs and what the research means
| Ingredient | Traditional context | What researchers found | What this means | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ku Shen Sophora flavescens 1.5% |
Traditionally associated with clearing Heat, drying Dampness and relieving itch | Compounds from Ku Shen reduced inflammatory activity and improved psoriasis-like skin changes in experimental models | Ku Shen compounds showed measurable anti-inflammatory effects and reduced psoriasis-like changes in experimental research | PMID 38358770 |
| She Chuang Zi Cnidium monnieri 3% |
Traditionally associated with Wind, Dampness and itch | The Ku Shen + She Chuang Zi herb pair showed complementary anti-itch mechanisms; Cnidium extracts also showed antifungal activity in laboratory studies | The research supports Cnidium's role in itch-related pathways and adds laboratory evidence of antifungal activity | PMC6151778 |
| Borneolum Syntheticum 2% |
Traditionally used as an aromatic "guiding" ingredient | Topical borneol produced significantly greater pain relief than placebo in a randomized human study; mechanistic work identified TRPM8 as a key target | Borneol has human clinical evidence for topical sensory effects, while laboratory research also supports its role in skin penetration and cooling-related pathways | PMC5452010 |
| Stemonae Radix 0.5% |
Traditionally associated with antiparasitic use | Several Stemona alkaloids reduced inflammatory nitric-oxide production in laboratory cells | Stemona compounds showed measurable anti-inflammatory activity in laboratory studies | PMID 35295975 |
| Menthol 0.5% |
Cooling sensory ingredient | A TRPM8-activating cream reduced itch in people with atopic dermatitis; menthol is also a TRPM8 activator | TRPM8 research supports the cooling and itch-related sensory role of menthol-type ingredients | PMID 30067875 |
How Traditional Chinese Medicine describes psoriasis
TCM does not usually describe every psoriasis presentation in the same way. Traditional pattern differentiation looks at features such as redness, heat, plaque thickness, dryness, chronicity and itch. The pattern names below belong to the traditional TCM framework rather than modern biomedical diagnosis.
Blood Heat
Blood Heat is traditionally associated with active, red or intensely colored plaques, visible scaling, itch and a sense of heat. Traditional treatment principles focus on clearing Heat and cooling the Blood.
Ku Shen is often discussed in this context. Separately, modern research has examined compounds from Sophora flavescens in psoriasis-related models. Positive findings showed reduced inflammation and improvement in psoriasis-like skin changes. PMID 38358770
Blood Stasis
Blood Stasis is traditionally associated with long-standing, darker, thicker and more persistent plaques. The concept is used to describe a chronic pattern in TCM and should not be treated as a direct biomedical diagnosis.
Oxymatrine, a compound associated with Sophora flavescens, has been studied in psoriasis research. In clinical research, psoriasis severity scores improved, while laboratory findings also showed reduced skin-cell proliferation. PMID 28450041
Blood Dryness
Blood Dryness or Blood Deficiency with Wind-Dryness is traditionally associated with drier, more stable plaques and fine scaling. Traditional treatment principles focus on nourishing and moistening.
Modern formulation research does not have a direct biomedical equivalent of "Blood Dryness." Instead, it examines practical questions such as skin hydration, barrier condition and how topical ingredients move through the outer skin layer.
What modern research adds to the traditional picture
Ku Shen and inflammatory pathways
Sophora flavescens contains flavonoids and alkaloids that have been studied in psoriasis-related models. In a 2024 study, selected compounds reduced inflammation and improved psoriasis-like skin changes in experimental models.
What this means: the study found that Ku Shen compounds reduced inflammation and improved psoriasis-like skin changes in experimental models.
She Chuang Zi and itch research
Cnidium monnieri contains compounds including osthole. Research on the traditional Cnidium + Sophora herb pair found that the two herbs affected itch through different pathways, giving the combination a clear research basis. PMC6151778
What the study found: Research on the traditional Ku Shen + She Chuang Zi herb pair identified complementary anti-itch mechanisms, with both herbs contributing through different pathways.
What this means: the two herbs worked through different itch-related pathways, which helps explain why they have traditionally been used together for itchy skin.
Borneol and topical formulation science
Borneol has both clinical and formulation research behind it. In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study involving postoperative pain, topical borneol produced significantly greater pain relief than placebo. The same research identified TRPM8 as an important molecular target, while other work has explored borneol as a penetration enhancer in topical delivery. PMC5452010
Separate mouse research has also examined borneol in itch-related nerve pathways involving TRPA1 and TRPM8. PMID 37290679
What the study found: In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, topical borneol produced significantly greater postoperative pain relief than placebo. Experimental work also identified TRPM8 as an important molecular target.
What this means: borneol has shown real topical effects in human research, and separate studies suggest it may also help other substances move through the skin more easily.
Stemonae Radix and inflammatory research
Researchers isolated 29 alkaloids from Stemona tuberosa and tested them in laboratory cells. Several reduced signs of inflammation in the laboratory, with one compound showing a particularly strong effect. PMID 35295975
What the study found: Researchers tested 29 alkaloids from Stemona tuberosa. Several reduced inflammatory nitric-oxide production in laboratory cells, with one compound showing particularly strong activity.
What this means: several Stemona compounds reduced inflammation in laboratory studies, supporting further research into how the herb may help irritated skin.
Menthol and cooling sensation
Menthol activates one of the body's cold-sensing receptors, called TRPM8. In a clinical study using a different TRPM8-activating cream, people with atopic dermatitis reported anti-itch effects, providing useful human evidence for this cooling pathway. PMID 30067875
What the study found: A clinical study using a different TRPM8-activating cream reported anti-itch effects in people with atopic dermatitis.
What this means: the research helps explain why menthol feels cooling and why cooling ingredients are often studied for helping itchy or uncomfortable skin.
Where QICAOGANGMU fits
QICAOGANGMU combines Ku Shen, She Chuang Zi, Borneolum Syntheticum, Stemonae Radix and menthol in one steroid-free botanical formula. Current published research is strongest at the ingredient level, supported by longstanding traditional use in TCM.
Read the ingredient and safety reviewHerbal creams and topical corticosteroids are different approaches
Topical corticosteroids are established psoriasis medicines that can reduce inflammation, scaling and itch. Potency, treatment duration and body site matter because prolonged or inappropriate exposure can increase the risk of adverse effects such as skin atrophy. PMID 25862024
A steroid-free botanical topical belongs to a different category. Its value is better understood through its formulation, traditional use, ingredient research and individual tolerability rather than by treating it as the same type of product as a corticosteroid.
Research into topical Chinese herbal formulas for psoriasis also exists. A systematic review and meta-analysis identified several studies of multi-herbal topical formulations and reported favorable outcomes in some comparisons. The formulas differed, but Sophora flavescens was among the herbs that appeared frequently. PMID 23817996
General use considerations
For any topical botanical product, the practical approach is straightforward:
- Follow the current product directions. Do not create a disease-specific schedule from laboratory studies.
- Use a thin, even layer. More product is not automatically better.
- Pay attention to sensitive areas. The face, skin folds and genital area can react differently from thicker body skin.
- Stop if significant irritation develops. Persistent burning, swelling or worsening redness deserves reassessment.
- Keep diagnosed psoriasis under appropriate care. Widespread, painful, rapidly worsening or joint-associated psoriasis may need prescription treatment.
Frequently asked questions
Can herbal ingredients help with psoriasis-related skin discomfort?
Several herbs used in TCM have research involving inflammation, itch signaling and skin-cell activity. The evidence varies by herb and study type, but it provides a scientific basis for why these ingredients remain of interest in topical skin research.
How long does it take to notice a difference?
Individual experience varies according to skin condition, severity, body site and how a topical product is used. A fixed 7-day, 4-week or 12-week timeline is not appropriate to promise from ingredient studies. Follow the current product directions and judge tolerability and skin response over time.
Are TCM concepts such as Blood Heat the same as cytokines or immune pathways?
No. Blood Heat, Blood Stasis and Blood Dryness are traditional diagnostic concepts. Modern research on inflammation, immune signaling and skin-cell activity belongs to a separate biomedical framework. The two can be discussed side by side without treating them as direct equivalents.
Can a steroid-free botanical product be used with prescription psoriasis treatment?
People using prescription topical medicines, phototherapy or systemic psoriasis treatment should ask their dermatologist or pharmacist before layering additional products on the same area, especially on sensitive skin sites.
Related articles
Clinical references
- Lin CF et al. The anti-inflammatory activity of flavonoids and alkaloids from Sophora flavescens alleviates psoriasiform lesions. Phytotherapy Research. 2024;38(4):1951-1970. PMID 38358770
- Investigating the potential of oxymatrine as a psoriasis therapy. Chemico-Biological Interactions. 2017. PMID 28450041
- Chao X et al. Synergic Anti-Pruritus Mechanisms of Action for the Radix Sophorae Flavescentis and Fructus Cnidii Herbal Pair. PMC6151778
- Cao Y et al. Preliminary Study on Antifungal Mechanism of Aqueous Extract of Cnidium monnieri Against Trichophyton rubrum. PMC8417377
- Dai H et al. Topical borneol-induced analgesia and enhanced transdermal delivery. Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine. 2017;13(6):3267-3272. PMC5452010
- Tian W et al. Topical borneol relieves nonhistaminergic pruritus via targeting TRPA1 and TRPM8 channels in peripheral nerve terminals of mice. PMID 37290679
- Xu Y et al. Alkaloids From Stemona tuberosa and Their Anti-Inflammatory Activity. Frontiers in Chemistry. 2022;10:847595. PMID 35295975
- Misery L et al. Real-life study of anti-itching effects of a cream containing menthoxypropanediol, a TRPM8 agonist, in atopic dermatitis patients. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2019;33(2):e67-e69. PMID 30067875
- Deng S et al. Topical herbal formulae in the management of psoriasis: systematic review with meta-analysis of clinical studies and investigation of the pharmacological actions of the main herbs. Phytotherapy Research. 2014;28(4):480-497. PMID 23817996
- Barnes L et al. Topical corticosteroid-induced skin atrophy: a comprehensive review. Drug Safety. 2015;38(5):493-509. PMID 25862024
1 comment