Vitiligo lotion (Bai Dian Feng)
Xi'an Redtop Medicine Co. Ltd
China Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine
16ml x 2
Xian China

Bai Ban Xiao ' White patches remover' is a product of the China Traditional Chinese Medicine Research Academy. It is formulated in accordance to TCM principles as to the causes of vitiligo.

[ Ingredients ]

苦参 Radix Sophorae Flavescentis

徐长卿 Radix Cynanchi Paniculati

黄柏 Cortex Phellodendri

白头翁 Pulsatilla Chinensis


[ Usage ]

Apply the lotion on the area of the white patches 2-3 times a day

[ Packaging ]

16ml x 2

　

[ Pathogenesis and patholophysiology ]

Vitiligo is called bai bo feng (adverse white wind) in the classics. It is believed to be caused by the invasion of the skin by wind and dampness. (According to Western medicine), it is due to a dysfunction in the metabolism of tyrosinase into dihydroxyphenylalanine. Mental disturbance, nervous dysfunction, and disorders of the endocrine system often induce this condition.

[ Diagnosis ]

Disappearance of the pigment over the affected area gives rise to whitish skin with a distinctive border. Hair in affected areas likewise turns white as well. Pigmentation, distributed either symmetrically or irregularly around the border of the areas, may be present. Sensitivity of and secretions in the affected areas are normal. There are typically no subjective symptoms. It can affect any age and on both sexes. The skin around the white pigmented patches can be normal or has an increased pigmentation, resulting in a darker appearance around the border.

The pathogenic factors of vitiligo are mainly: heat in the blood or bodily heat; invasion by exogenous wind or damp, which invade into the skin resulting in disorder of the circulation of qi and blood at the surface; and blockage of the channels and vessels (thus, the blood cannot nourish the skin leading to qi-stagnation and hair-orifices blocked). Because the hair-orifices are blocked, the affected skin looks glossy.

Vitiligo usually develops rapidly in the spring and summer. In some cases a feeling of itching precedes expansion of the white patches. If a patient's constitution is worsened by bad morale or by some exogenous factors, the pathological conditions advances continuously. Quite a few patients miss the best time for treatment of the disease, when it first appears, trusting that it will simply resolve spontaneously; once the area affected becomes bigger than the original spots, the time required to cure the disease will be longer.

Along with this kind of complaint, we would expect to find other Yang Deficiency symptoms and signs: Coldness, Dampness (excess phlegm, urinary tract problems, weak digestion), tiredness, tendency to catch colds (or allergies), weight problems without Heat signs, low back pain, ringing in the ears, depression with little affect, problems thinking clearly, and collapsing (like bad posture, hemorrhoids, prolapse, or flat feet).

Once enough of these confirming signs are found, the condition can be treated as it actually is, which is on a global scale. Hypothyroidism has only one treatment and one target: synthetic hormone therapy for a gland
which tests low sometimes, and often fine others. Yang Deficiency, on the other hand, a holistic diagnosis, has a whole range of therapies and implications, considering the person as a whole--and involves far less imbalancing therapy, mild herbals, acupuncture, moxibustion (warming therapy using smoldering herbs), and lifestyle management.

Vitiligo, or Bai Dian Feng, can therefore be treated, with a range of therapies (it is not untreatable), and specific herbal formulas have been developed for this condition. Because it is a condition of gradual onset, there are no miraculous treatments. Another slowing aspect is that considerable Dampness often accumulates, making Clearance of it, and the Wind, difficult ("Damp impedes": think about walking in mud).

Someone with a Yang Deficient condition should consume only cooked, warm food: no fruit, fruit juice, frozen desserts, or cold salads (often people will already know this by instinct), and NO stimulants like coffee, which only further deplete Yang. They should get adequate rest, but also should exercise mildly every day without fail (being careful not to exhaust).

Preferably they should consume flesh foods, and utilize Warming spices like mustard and pepper. Avoidance of windy, drafty environments is wise, and choosing warmer climates is appropriate. An acupuncturist can treat such conditions with a rounded approach that does not leave you dependent on hormone pills for the rest of your life.

[ Treatment principle ]

TCM regards vitiligo as a condition of weak Blood and qi which results in Blood stagnancy. Thus, the imbalance of the skin is caused by the impairment of the harmony between Blood and Qi. Therefore, the formulas used are to nourish the Blood and Qi, improve Blood circulation, removes evil-Wind and tonify the kidneys. As such, vitiligo is a condition of Yang Deficiency, which has a whole range of therapies and implications to correct the unfavourable conditions. The external treatment offered here should be used to complement the current treatment.

This external treatment is best combined with the Skin regeneration formula produced by the China Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine.