title: Effect of an herbal formula containing Ganoderma lucidum on reduction of herpes zoster pain: a pilot clinical trial.
abstract: Administration of hot water extracts of a herbal formula containing Ganoderma lucidum, WTMCGEPP (Wisteria floribunda 0.38, Trapa natans 0.38, Miristica agrans 0.38, Coix lachryma-jobi 0.75, cultivated Ganoderma lucidum 0.75, Elfuinga applanata 0.38, tissue cultured Panax ginseng 0.3, and Punica granatum 0.38: numerals designate dry weight gram/dose), decreased herpes zoster pain for five Japanese patients suffering from shingles. Pain relief started within a few days of intake and was almost complete within 10 days. Two acute herpes zoster with manifestations including trigeminal nerve ophthalmia (both 74 years old), lower body zoster (70 years old), herpes zoster oticus (17 years old), and leg herpes (28 years old), responded quickly to treatment and no patient developed post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN) after more than one year of follow-up.
authors.affiliation: Toyodo Hijikata Clinic, Osaka 567-0031, Japan. hijikata@osb.att.ne.jp
authors.forename: Yasuyo
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Hijikata
authors.forename: Akihiro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Yasuhara
authors.forename: Yuko
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Sahashi
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000368:Aged; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D009877:Endophthalmitis / Q000821:virology; D005260:Female; D006562:Herpes Zoster / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009437:Neuralgia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000821:virology*; D010031:Otitis / Q000821:virology; D010865:Pilot Projects; D020940:Reishi; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal