RESUMEN
<p>Chilblains is one indication for the use of an ethical Kampo formulation, i.e. <i>tokishigyakukagoshuyushokyoto</i>. This disease is a very common disorder which occurs in cold circumstances. It has been noted that this disorder correlates with diminished peripheral blood flow. However, the inflammatory mechanism associated with this disorder are still unknown. The author's intention is to speculate on the mechanism behind this disorder from the view point of homeostatic inflammation, as proposed by recent immunology. To wit, chilblains may occur via cytokines which are released from ischemic vessels of the microcirculation and/or cells associated with micro-coagulation in the post-capillary venula.</p>
RESUMEN
“Mi-byo” (pre-disease) is a special concept in Chinese Medicine proposed about 2,200 years ago in the ancient text <i>Ko-tei-nai-kei</i>, which states that “a Saint-like Doctor” can cure “mi-byo”. However, no one has been saintly enough to explain an actual “mi-byo” status to date. In the 21 th century, as immunology has developed, the novel notion of “homeostatic inflammation” began to be postulated. Here, “homeostatic inflammation” means the self-repairing steps initiated by innate immune sensors when they encounter either PAMPs (pathogen-associated molecular patterns) or with DAMPs (danger signal-or damage-associated molecular patterns) composed of either lipids-or nucleic acids-related substances through their own TLRs (toll-like receptors) or NLRs (NOD-like receptors), respectively. If such “homeostatic inflammation” does correlate with the “mi-byo”, perhaps we can control it by using herbal medicines containing various saponins, essential oils, alkaroids, and flavonoids that may reinforce innate barriers by regulating the effect of lipids and nucleic acids.