Category

SYNONYMS

Akebia, anti-inflammatory, atopic eczema, dermatology, dictamnus, eczema, licorice, lophatherum, potentilla, red peony, rehmannia, schizonepeta, siler, tribulus.

For more information on individual herbs, please see Natural Standard's Herbs & Supplements Database.

BACKGROUND

Zemaphyte® is a produced in the United Kingdom. The remedy contains licorice and nine other herbs. Zemaphyte® is most commonly used to treat steroid resistance eczema, childhood and adult eczema as well as atopic eczema.

The powder formulation of Zemaphyte® is normally dosed according to packets. One or two packets is mixed in hot water and drank once a day.

THEORY/EVIDENCE

Zemaphyte® is proposed to exhibit it's main effects by producing an anti-inflammatory response as well as act as an immunomodulator or immunosuppressive agent.

Zemaphyte® has been proven in numerous clinical trials to reduce skin surface damage, erythema (redness of the skin) and itching as well as improve sleep quality.

A randomized, placebo controlled trial comparing Zemaphyte® to other Chinese herbal remedies commonly used for eczema found that the patients who used Zemaphyte® had less surface damage, less redness and better sleep than patients who used other Chinese herbal remedies.

SIDE EFFECTS/DRUG INTERACTIONS

Zemaphyte® has been associated with elevated liver function tests, diarrhea, uticaria (hives) as well as other rare but serious side effects.

Zemaphyte® has been shown to interact with methotrexate.

A qualified healthcare provider should be consulted before making decisions about therapies and/or health conditions.

AUTHOR INFORMATION

This information has been edited and peer-reviewed by contributors to the Natural Standard Research Collaboration (www.naturalstandard.com).

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Vender RB. 20 October 2006. www.skintherapyletter.ca

Zhang W, Leonard T, Bath-Hetal F, et al. Chinese herbal medicine for atopic eczema. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2005 Apr 18;(2):CD002291.

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.