A New Alternative Treatment for Allergy
This is a Chinese Medicinal Remedy proven to be very helpful in people with environmental allergy (atopy), so may be helpful with our dogs.
Abstract
The efficacy of the Chinese herbal therapy (Zemaphyte) has been well established as a treatment for atopic eczema (AE) in clinical trials. Source: Source: Int Arch Allergy Immunol. 1996 Mar;109(3):243-9.
Association of immunological changes with clinical efficacy in atopic eczema patients treated with traditional Chinese herbal therapy (Zemaphyte). Latchman Y1, Banerjee P, Poulter LW, Rustin M, Brostoff J.
Background
Zemaphyte® is a Chinese herbal remedy 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.
Common Name/Pin Yin
TCM Category Description
Siler (fangfeng)
Ledebouriella seseloides
dispel wind, relieve surface
Potentilla (baitougweng)
Potentilla chinensis
clear heat, dry damp
Akebia (mutong)
Clematis armandii
dry damp, promote diuresis
Rehmannia (dihuang)
Rehmannia glutinosa
clear heat, cool blood
Red peony (chishao)
Paeonia lactiflora
vitalize blood, clear heat
Lophatherum (danzhuye)
Lophatherum gracile
clear heat, purge fire
Dictamnus (baixianpi)
Dictamnus dasycarpus
clear heat, clean toxin
Tribulus (baijili)
Tribulus terrestris
calm wind
Licorice (gancao)
Glycyrrhiza glabra
remove toxin
Schizonepeta (jingjie) Schizonepeta tennuifolia dispel wind, relieve surface 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. Source: This information has been edited and peer-reviewed by contributors to the Natural Standard Research Collaboration (www.naturalstandard.com).
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