Chinese Psoriasis Cream: What to Look For, What Works and How to Avoid Hidden Steroids
Buyer's guide
The best Chinese psoriasis creams combine herbs studied in psoriasis, such as Ku Shen (Sophora root), indigo naturalis or Zi Cao, with a rich moisturising base that softens scale, and they are transparent about ingredients and steroid testing. A herbal cream can ease itch, dryness and scaling and support milder plaques, but moderate to severe psoriasis also needs medical treatment. Be wary of any 'herbal' cream that clears thick plaques within days, as hidden steroids have been found in such products.
- Herbs with psoriasis research: Ku Shen, Zi Cao, indigo naturalis; She Chuang Zi and borneol for itch.
- Topical herbal formulas improved PASI scores in a clinical meta-analysis.
- Red flags: no ingredient list, dramatic overnight results, rebound flares on stopping.
- Psoriasis is immune-driven; herbal creams support skin comfort alongside medical care.
What can a Chinese psoriasis cream do?
Psoriasis is an immune-driven disease, so creams work on the skin surface rather than the root cause. A well-formulated herbal cream can:
- Soften and loosen scale with a moisturising, occlusive base
- Ease itch and burning, which affect most people with psoriasis (Jaworecka et al., 2023)
- Calm mild inflammation through herbs with anti-inflammatory activity
- Offer a steroid-free option for daily use, folds and the face
Widespread, thick or rapidly spreading psoriasis, and any joint pain, need a doctor; guideline treatments range from topical steroids and vitamin D creams to biologics (Elmets et al., 2021). See the complete psoriasis guide.
Which herbs have psoriasis research?
| Herb | What research shows |
|---|---|
| Ku Shen (Sophora root) | Among the most used herbs in topical formulas that improved PASI (Deng 2014); reduced psoriasis-like inflammation in lab models (Lin 2024) |
| Zi Cao (Lithospermum root) | The other most-used herb in effective topical formulas (Deng 2014) |
| Qing Dai (indigo naturalis) | Up to 69% PASI reduction in a randomised trial (Lin 2018) |
| She Chuang Zi (Cnidium fruit) | Osthole blocks the TRPV3 itch channel (Sun 2018) |
| Bing Pian (borneol) | Cooling itch relief via TRPM8 and TRPA1 (Tian 2023) |
Herb-by-herb TCM detail: herbal remedies for psoriasis.
How do you spot hidden steroids in a psoriasis cream?
Undeclared steroids have been found repeatedly in "herbal" skin products, including dexamethasone in 8 of 11 Chinese herbal creams in one UK study (Keane et al., 1999) and the potent steroid clobetasol in herbal eczema creams (Ramsay et al., 2003). Steroid adulteration of proprietary Chinese medicines remains a recurring issue (Chong et al., 2015).
Psoriasis patients have been harmed by this. A teenager's Chinese herbal ointment for psoriasis was found to contain steroids and antifungal drugs (Mose and Bygum, 2019), and another patient developed Cushing's syndrome after long-term use of a "herbal cream" that secretly contained clobetasol (Chen et al., 2025).
Red flags: thick plaques clearing within days; severe rebound when you stop; thin, shiny, stretch-marked skin; no ingredient list or manufacturer; no lab report. Hidden steroids are a particular problem in psoriasis, because stopping a strong steroid suddenly can trigger a flare. If you suspect one, speak to your doctor before stopping.
A psoriasis cream with nothing hidden. QICAOGANGMU declares every active and its percentage, with Not Detected results for eight corticosteroids from TÜV SÜD PSB. Rated 4.5 to 4.7 out of 5 on Amazon. See the formula
Buyer's checklist for a Chinese psoriasis cream
- Full ingredient list with concentrations
- At least one herb with psoriasis or itch research
- A rich moisturising base (petrolatum, glycerin)
- Independent steroid testing from an accredited laboratory, listing the steroids tested
- Clear directions, warnings and age limits
- Traceable manufacturer and batch number
- Honest claims: relief and support, not a cure
How should you use a herbal psoriasis cream?
- Bathe in lukewarm water, pat dry, then apply to plaques 2 to 3 times a day.
- Use a thin layer on folds and the face; see inverse psoriasis care.
- Patch test first, and avoid cracked or bleeding skin.
- Keep using your prescribed treatments; space them apart.
- Review progress after 4 weeks with your doctor.
For itch-specific tips, read how to stop itching naturally.
Where QICAOGANGMU fits
QICAOGANGMU Steroid-Free Herbal Cream
4.7/5 (243 ratings) and 4.5/5 (666 ratings) on Amazon. Read reviews
QICAOGANGMU is transparent, tested and steroid-free: Ku Shen 1.5%, She Chuang Zi 3%, Bing Pian 2%, Bai Bu 0.5% and menthol 0.5% in a petrolatum and glycerin base that softens scale. TÜV SÜD PSB testing of batch QCGM-202605 found none of eight corticosteroids. Use it for daily comfort alongside your psoriasis treatment plan.
- Steroid-free: TÜV SÜD PSB found none of 8 corticosteroids (lab reports)
- Fully declared formula: every active ingredient and its percentage on the label
- 100-day money-back guarantee
- US shipping in 2 to 6 business days, free over US$20
Patch test on a small area first, use a thin layer on intact skin and avoid the eyes, lips and genitals. Full test results · Product details
Frequently asked questions
Do Chinese psoriasis creams work?
Topical Chinese herbal formulas improved psoriasis severity scores in a clinical meta-analysis. They work best for itch, scale and milder plaques, alongside medical care for moderate to severe psoriasis.
What herbs are in a good Chinese psoriasis cream?
Ku Shen, Zi Cao and indigo naturalis have psoriasis research; She Chuang Zi and borneol help with itch.
Can a Chinese psoriasis cream contain steroids?
Some unregulated products have contained hidden steroids. Choose creams with a full ingredient list and published steroid testing.
Can I use a herbal cream with my psoriasis medicine?
Usually yes for topical creams. Apply them at different times and tell your doctor what you use.
Is QICAOGANGMU suitable for psoriasis?
QICAOGANGMU is a steroid-free herbal cream for daily care of itchy, dry, scaly skin, and can be used alongside prescribed psoriasis treatment after a patch test.
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References
- Jaworecka K, Kwiatkowska D, Marek-Józefowicz L, et al. Characteristics of pruritus in various clinical variants of psoriasis. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2023;37(4):787-795. PMID 36606568
- Elmets CA, Korman NJ, Prater EF, et al. Joint AAD-NPF guidelines of care for the management and treatment of psoriasis with topical therapy and alternative medicine modalities. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2021;84(2):432-470. PMID 32738429
- Deng S, May BH, Zhang AL, et al. Topical herbal formulae in the management of psoriasis: systematic review with meta-analysis. Phytother Res. 2014;28(4):480-497. PMID 23817996
- Lin CF, Lin MH, Hung CF, et al. The anti-inflammatory activity of flavonoids and alkaloids from Sophora flavescens alleviates psoriasiform lesions. Phytother Res. 2024;38(4):1951-1970. PMID 38358770
- Lin YK, See LC, Huang YH, et al. Comparison of indirubin concentrations in indigo naturalis ointment for psoriasis treatment: a randomized, double-blind, dosage-controlled trial. Br J Dermatol. 2018;178(1):124-131. PMID 28815560
- Sun XY, Sun LL, Qi H, et al. Antipruritic effect of natural coumarin osthole through selective inhibition of thermosensitive TRPV3 channel in the skin. Mol Pharmacol. 2018;94(4):1164-1173. PMID 30108138
- Tian W, He D, Liu J, et al. Topical borneol relieves nonhistaminergic pruritus via targeting TRPA1 and TRPM8 channels in peripheral nerve terminals of mice. Eur J Pharmacol. 2023;953:175833. PMID 37290679
- Keane FM, Munn SE, du Vivier AW, et al. Analysis of Chinese herbal creams prescribed for dermatological conditions. BMJ. 1999;318(7183):563-564. PMID 10037629
- Ramsay HM, Goddard W, Gill S, et al. Herbal creams used for atopic eczema in Birmingham, UK illegally contain potent corticosteroids. Arch Dis Child. 2003;88(12):1056-1057. PMID 14670768
- Chong YK, Ching CK, Ng SW, et al. Corticosteroid adulteration in proprietary Chinese medicines: a recurring problem. Hong Kong Med J. 2015;21(5):411-416. PMID 26314568
- Mose KF, Bygum A. Chinese herbal remedy found to contain steroids and antifungals. Lancet. 2019;393(10170):446. PMID 30712902
- Chen J, Sun J, Wang C, et al. Iatrogenic Cushing's syndrome induced by topical steroid abuse in a patient with psoriasis: a case report. Front Med (Lausanne). 2025;12:1591869. PMID 41090129
Product information. This article is educational. QICAOGANGMU is a topical herbal skin-care cream and does not replace psoriasis treatment prescribed by your doctor.
