Remedies for Groin Rash,
Jock Itch, Genital Rash, etc.

Groin rash, jock itch, genital rash and other rashes can be treated naturally with Chinese herbal medicine. It is wise to have a Western medical check of your rash first though, just to rule out anything potentially serious. Even if you do have a potentially serious rash, Chinese herbal medicine can help in various ways, but for peace of mind see your doctor first.

The advantage of taking Chinese herbal medicine for rashes is that it doesn't just deal with the rash itself (the hot, red, itchy skin, etc) - it also addresses underlying causes of the rash. Typically, the underlying causes of groin rash, jock itch, etc, are related to diet and lifestyle.

Causes of Rashes in Chinese Medicine

In Chinese medicine, rashes are generally seen as cases of excess heat in the body, which has come out in the skin. The common causes of excess heat in the body are:

1. Diet - hot foods and drinks like curries, spices, anything fried or fatty, alcohol and coffee.

2. Lifestyle - a fast-paced, stressful lifestyle including lack of sleep and chilling-out time.

The above kinds of dietary and lifestyle imbalances, over time, generate a lot of heat in the body and the body constantly tries to eliminate it and keep the balance. Everyone is different - some people with a "hot" body develop acne, some become constipated, others get a red face and eyes, while some develop rashes.

A Case Example

I was a Chinese medicine practitioner in Australia for ten years before moving to China. I remember one patient in particular who came to me with a groin rash that drove him crazy, especially in summer. He would scratch so much his skin would bleed. Western medicine had been of little help. And I knew why - it had not addressed his dietary and lifestyle imbalances.

The man lived in North Eastern Australia where the weather gets very hot and humid, and he drank a lot of alcohol and ate a very "hot" diet of overcooked meat and little vegetables and fruit. According to Chinese medicine, this combination of hot, humid weather and hot diet over time had caused his problem.

I was eventually able to help him. At first he would not heed my advice to stop drinking alcohol and clean up his diet, but after a couple of months he did so and this, in conjunction with the herbal medicine I gave him, stopped the rash.

Chinese Herbal Remedies for Rashes

There are some marvelous Chinese herbal ointments that are applied directly to the skin to stop inflammation, itching and pain, and to heal damaged skin. In chronic or stubborn cases of groin rash, genital rash, etc, you will also need to take an internal herbal medicine (and adjust your diet and lifestyle).

A professional practitioner of Chinese herbal medicine can prescribe you a herbal skin ointment, and a herbal formula to drink, and give you specific dietary and lifestyle advice. This is a powerful, proven way to stop rashes and other skin problems.

See the FAQ page (No.9) for how to find a professional practitioner of Chinese herbal medicine. If you have any general questions about how Chinese medicine treats groin rash and other types of rash, I'll be happy to help.

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