Herbal anti-inflammatory agents for skin disease.
Herbs have been used in clinical medicine for thousands of years. However, it is only in recent times that we have been able to employ scientific methods to prove the efficacy of many of these herbs and to give us a better understanding of their mechanisms of action. This article will focus on the use of herbs in various dermatological conditions characterized by inflammation and pruritus. Topical preparations of many of these herbs are more commonplace in Europe. However, their availability is increasing in the US. As this is occurring we are witnessing a growing marriage between alternative and traditional medicines.
Graf
J
J
Department of Dermatology, New York University Medical Center, New York, New York, USA.
D000504:Aloe / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000982:Antipruritics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001252:Astringents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001963:Bromelains / Q000627:therapeutic use; D020838:Calendula / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002211:Capsaicin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D020843:Chamomile / Q000627:therapeutic use; D030024:Curcuma; D005228:Fatty Acids, Essential / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006035:Glycyrrhiza; D006801:Humans; D019684:Magnoliopsida / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010938:Plant Oils / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010946:Plants, Medicinal; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D000982:Antipruritics; D001252:Astringents; D005228:Fatty Acids, Essential; D010936:Plant Extracts; D010938:Plant Oils; C012596:turmeric extract; D001963:Bromelains; D002211:Capsaicin