Controlled trials by biomedical researchers have shown that some herbs used in Chinese medicine achieved better results in the treatment of eczema than the strongest preparations available from the pharmaceutical industry. If you are interested in herbs you are advised to work with an experienced herbalist, especially if you seek to grow and prepare them yourself. The body of literature about herbals is huge. Commercial drugs use a single chemical compound that is the active ingredient. They are a complex mix of chemicals.
Herbs tend to have fewer side effects than prescription drugs.
Herbal products are highly variable and claims may be grossly exaggerated. In the United States many herbal remedies are classified by the government as dietary supplements whereas consumers use them as drugs. Herbal manufacturers must ensure their products are not harmful. They cannot make medical claims for them unless they have won FDA approval, a costly process. Between 1993 and 1998, the FDA reported 2621 serious problems including 101 deaths.