A Clinical Study of the Efficacy of Several Kampo Formulas in the Treatment of Acne Vulgaris / 日本東洋医学雑誌

ABSTRACT

Patients with acne vulgaris which could not be sufficiently controlled with antibiotics (tetracycline), or who had been receiving treatment for a prolonged period were selected for treatment with Kampo medicine. Patients in whom joint use of Kampo resulted in a decrease in blemishes, patients who were able to reduce the amount of antibiotics required or stop antibiotics altogether and patients who improved with Kampo alone were grouped according to the Kampo formula being taken. The formulas Seijobofu-to, Jumihaidoku-to and Keishibuuryo-gan proved to be effective. The patients in these groups were found to have certain characteristics in common. In particular, almost all of the cases with adult acne (25 years of age or older) had the symptoms of cold hands and feet, stiff shoulders, menorrhalgia, worsening of the condition before the menstrual period and other symptoms associated with Stagnated Blood. Formulas known as ‘agents for expelling Stagnated Blood’ (Kuoketsuzai), particularly Keishibukuryo-gan, were found to be effective.