This herb is not approved for dermatologic conditions but is used in Asian medicine for cutaneous inflammation, bruising, bites, pruritis, wounds, fungal infections, and ulcers. Its active compounds include volatile oils, such as tumerone, which provides the unique aroma, 4% curcuminoids, heptanoids, and 30-40% starch. This extract provides the yellow color and much of the […]

This herb is one of the few Chinese herbal products with a single botanical applied topically reported in the English medical literature. Many combinations of Chinese herbs administered as teas have documented effectiveness for dermatitis and psoriasis. Topically applied Camptotheca acuminata Decne was equally effective as 1% hydrocortisone in treating psoriasis but suffered a 12% […]

This spicy pepper extract uniquely depletes substance P of the peripheral C nerves. It is approved by the FDA for treatment of pruritis and pain. The active compounds are primarily amides of vanillylamine with fatty acids known as capsaicinoids. Other active compounds include anti-inflammatory carotenoids such as capsantain, flavonoids including apiin, steroid saponins, and volatile […]

This herb has traditionally been a hemorrhoid, skin condition, and cancer treatment and has an immune stimulant effect. Its active compounds include nigellone and thymoquinone. Black seed has antioxidant, antiphlogistic, antibacterial, and antihelminthic effects (22). Four clinical studies documented efficacy of this herb for treatment of atopic dermatitis and asthma when administered orally. The score […]

This North American herb is primarily prescribed to reduce menopause symptoms. It is also known as an insect repellant, to treat acne and warts and improve skin appearance. This herb contains salicylic acid, tannins, long-chain fatty acids, glycosides and phytoestrogens (22). Black Nightshade (Solanum nigrum) This herb is used in Asian medicine for abcess, furuncle, […]

The oil from this food heals wounds, treats sclerosis and has long been used in products for skin aging. The oil primarily consists of monosaturated lipids (22). Bitter Orange (Citrus aurantium) Although this herb has no dermatologic indications in Asian, homeopathic or Commission E, it has been evaluated in clinical trials for cutaneous disease and […]

Commission E has approved this herb for mucocutaneous inflammation. The galenic formulations consist of 30% fatty oil, 20% proteins, 4% volatile oils of which 94% is anethole, caffeic acids such as chlorogenic acid, and flavonoids. This herb has antibacterial, antiviral, antiphlogistic, insect repellant, and estrogenic functionalities. Anise is administered as oil or infusion. It has […]

Aloe is used in asian medicine for therapy of fungal and other infections, infestations, tumors, and other skin diseases. The aloe substance released from comminuted leaves contains mucopolysaccharides, glucommamman including beta-mannan, allantoin, anthracenes such as aloin and emodin, alkylchromone including aletinic acid, and choline salicylate, flavonoids, amino acids, hydroxyquinine glycosides, carboxy – peptidases, and minerals […]

Allantoin and Comfrey (Symphytum officinale) Comfrey is approved by the Commission E to treat blunt injuries due to the activity of triterpene saponins, tannins, and silicic acid as well as allantoin (3). Allantoin has been extracted from the comfrey root and leaves but is now commercially manufactured. Allantoin is an antipholgistic, antioxidant, and soothing keratolytic […]