Exploration of "alternative" and "natural" drugs in dermatology.

Objective: To review some of the promising natural remedies within dermatology to explore their potential clinical benefit in supplementing conventional drugs.

Data Sources: MEDLINE searches from January 1966 through October 2000 and Science Citation Index searches from January 1974 through October 2000 were conducted.

Study Selection: Primary importance was given to in vivo and in vitro controlled studies, the results of which encourage further exploration.

Data Extraction: The controls used, the statistical approach to analysis, and the validity of the experimental method analyzed were considered particularly important. Data were independently extracted by multiple observers.

Data Synthesis: Natural remedies seem promising in treating a wide variety of dermatologic disorders, including inflammation, phototoxicity, psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, alopecia areata, and poison oak.

Conclusions: The alternative medications presented seem promising, although their true effects are unknown. Many of the presented studies do not allow deduction of clinical effects. Further experimentation must be performed to assess clinical benefit.