Herbal Therapy in Dermatology

The document from 2002 provides an overview of various herbal therapies used in dermatology, detailing their historical use, scientific evidence of efficacy, safety profiles, and potential side effects. It discusses the anti-inflammatory properties of arnica and German chamomile, the soothing effects of mucilage-containing herbs like flax and fenugreek, and the astringent benefits of tannins in witch hazel and St John's wort. Witch hazel extract was found to be slightly superior in reducing inflammation and itching in atopic dermatitis in studies with 36 and 80 participants, respectively. Horse chestnut seed extract (HCSE) was shown to be effective in treating chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) in studies, and a mixture of essential oils was found to significantly improve alopecia in a study of 86 patients. Additionally, a Chinese herbal formula, Dabao, was evaluated for androgenic alopecia in a study with 396 participants, showing an increase in nonvellus hairs. The document also discusses the potential of green tea, black tea, rosemary, propolis, red ginseng, and silymarin in preventing skin cancer, though it calls for more human research to confirm these benefits. It warns of possible adverse effects and the lack of regulation in the herbal medicine industry, emphasizing the need for more research and education on herbal therapies.