The secret to calming eczema might lie within our body's stress response system, and a traditional medicine that helps it function properly.
For the millions living with atopic dermatitis (AD), more commonly known as eczema, the relentless cycle of itchy, inflamed skin is more than a superficial concern. It is a condition that deeply impacts quality of life, often exacerbated by stress. Modern science is now uncovering a surprising connection: eczema may be linked to a dysfunctional stress-response system within the body and even the skin itself.
Intriguingly, research is validating the power of an ancient solution. A traditional Chinese herbal formula, BuShenYiQi Granule (BSYQ), is showing significant promise in alleviating eczema by fine-tuning this very system.
To understand how BSYQ works, we must first explore the body's central command center for stress: the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) axis3 . This neuroendocrine network responds to various stressors, both psychological and physical. When the brain perceives a threat, it triggers a cascade that culminates in the adrenal glands producing cortisol, a potent natural anti-inflammatory hormone3 .
In healthy individuals, the HPA axis effectively manages inflammation. However, in AD patients, this crucial response is blunted. Research has shown that AD patients present with an obvious dysfunction of the HPA axis, producing less cortisol in response to stress compared to people with healthy skin1 6 .
Even more fascinating is the discovery that our skin has its own local, peripheral HPA axis3 . Your skin cells can independently produce their own CRH, ACTH, and cortisol, creating a first line of defense against environmental assaults3 . In AD, this local defense network is also disrupted.
Faced with the side effects of prolonged glucocorticoid (steroid) use, researchers have sought treatments that can boost the body's own anti-inflammatory capabilities1 . This search led them to investigate BuShenYiQi Granule (BSYQ), a formula from Traditional Chinese Medicine.
Known for its adaptogenic properties, helping the body resist stressors.
Renowned for immune-modulating effects and enhancing resilience.
Traditionally used to cool inflammation and support adrenal function.
The formula uses these herbs in a 4:6:3 ratio of Herba Epimedii, Astragalus membranaceus, and Rehmannia Root respectively1 6 .
Prior studies on the formula's individual herbs suggested they could enhance HPA axis function and exert anti-inflammatory effects, leading scientists to hypothesize that BSYQ might alleviate AD by improving central and skin HPA axis function1 .
To test this hypothesis, a pivotal 2015 study published in PLOS ONE designed a rigorous experiment using a mouse model of AD1 2 .
Researchers created an AD model in female mice by repeatedly applying ovalbumin (OVA), a common allergen, to patches of tape-stripped skin over several weeks1 .
The AD-afflicted mice were then divided into several groups: a control group that received no treatment, three groups that received different doses of BSYQ (6.5, 13, and 26 g/kg/day), and a positive control group treated with dexamethasone, a standard steroid medication1 .
Scientists tracked the severity of skin symptoms (erythema, edema, excoriation) and measured key biomarkers in the blood and skin tissue. These included serum levels of corticosterone (CORT - the mouse equivalent of cortisol), adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), and corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH). They also analyzed the expression of critical genes and proteins in the skin's local HPA axis1 2 .
| Reagent / Method | Function in Research |
|---|---|
| Ovalbumin (OVA) | A protein used to sensitize and challenge the immune system, creating a laboratory model of allergic conditions like AD1 . |
| ELISA (Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay) | A highly sensitive technique used to measure the concentration of specific proteins (like hormones and cytokines) in blood or tissue samples1 2 . |
| qRT-PCR (Quantitative Real-Time PCR) | A method to accurately measure the expression levels of specific genes (e.g., CRH, CYP11A1) within skin tissue1 2 . |
| Western Blot | A technique used to detect and analyze specific proteins (e.g., NR3C1/GR) from tissue samples, confirming that genes are being translated into functional products1 2 . |
| HPLC-Q/TOF-MS | An advanced chemical analysis method used to standardize the BSYQ granule, ensuring the formula's consistency and identifying its active chemical constituents1 . |
The experiment yielded compelling evidence for BSYQ's mechanism of action.
The AD mice showed a deeply disturbed local HPA axis, but BSYQ treatment effectively corrected most of these imbalances, restoring the skin's ability to regulate inflammation2 .
| Group | Corticosterone (CORT) | ACTH | CRH |
|---|---|---|---|
| Healthy Control | Normal Level | Normal Level | Normal Level |
| AD Model (Untreated) | Decreased Level | Decreased Level | Altered Level |
| AD + BSYQ Treatment | Restored towards Normal | Restored towards Normal | Improved |
| AD + Dexamethasone | Variable (Drug Effect) | Variable (Drug Effect) | Variable (Drug Effect) |
This table summarizes the directional changes reported in the study for key HPA axis hormones2 6 .
| HPA Axis Element | Function | Change in AD Skin | Effect of BSYQ Treatment |
|---|---|---|---|
| CRH | Initiates the stress-response cascade | Decreased significantly | Improved expression2 |
| POMC | Precursor to ACTH and other peptides | Increased markedly | Improved expression2 |
| CYP11A1 | Starts steroidogenesis (hormone production) | Increased markedly | Improved expression2 |
| NR3C1 (GR) | Receptor for corticosterone/cortisol | Reduced locally | Improved expression2 |
| CYP11B1 | Enzyme that controls corticosterone synthesis | Reduced locally | Improved expression2 |
The data tells a clear story: BSYQ doesn't simply suppress the immune system like a steroid. Instead, it acts as a master regulator, nudging both the central and local HPA axes back toward their natural, healthy state. This helps restore the body's innate ability to control inflammation.
The investigation into BuShenYiQi Granule offers a paradigm shift in how we view inflammatory skin diseases. It moves beyond merely suppressing symptoms and toward the goal of restoring the body's intrinsic regulatory systems.
By demonstrating that this herbal formula can improve the dysfunctional HPA axis at both the whole-body and skin levels, science has provided a plausible mechanism for its clinically observed benefits2 .
This research not only validates a traditional remedy but also opens up new avenues for therapeutic development. It suggests that supporting our body's natural stress and inflammation control pathways could be the key to finding lasting relief for chronic conditions like eczema.
For further information on this study, you can access the full research paper at: BuShenYiQi Granule Inhibits Atopic Dermatitis via Improving Central and Skin Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis Function1 .