Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common inflammatory
skin disease with recurring episodes of
itching and a chronic relapsing course. Current treatment options for AD include topical agents, such as topical
corticosteroids and oral
antiallergic drugs. Providing effective long-term treatment is sometimes difficult due to the chronic, relapsing nature of AD; therefore, there is a need to identify better therapeutic options with minimal side effects that are well tolerated over the variable course of the disease. Traditional herbal medicine, also known as
Kampo medicine in Japan, has a long history and plays a role in the prevention and treatment of various diseases, including AD. Some
Kampo medicines are useful for treating inflammatory
skin diseases, and there has been increased interest in using
Kampo medicine to develop new therapeutic agents for AD. Standard
Kampo formulas for AD are effective in removing the symptoms of "Netsu Sho," "Ketsu-Kyo," "Ki-Kyo," and "O-Ketsu." This paper discusses the efficacy of
Kampo medicines in treating AD. Knowledge of the mechanisms of action of
Kampo medicines will result in greater choices of pharmacotherapeutic agents for AD.