Stomatitis is occasionally multiple, recurrent, and refractory. Currently,
mucositis induced by
chemotherapy and
radiation therapy in patients with
cancer has become a significant clinical problem. Effective treatments have not been established and the treatment of numerous cases remains a challenge for physicians. Traditional Japanese
herbal medicines termed
Kampo formulae (i.e., Hangeshashinto, Orengedokuto, Inchinkoto, Orento, Byakkokaninjinto,
Juzentaihoto,
Hochuekkito, and Shosaikoto) are used for treating various types of
stomatitis and
mucositis. Its use has been based on the
Kampo medical theories-empirical rules established over thousands of years. However, recently, clinical and basic research studies investigating these formulae have been conducted to obtain scientific evidence. Clinical studies investigating efficacies of Shosaikoto and Orento for the treatment of cryptogenic
stomatitis and acute
aphthous stomatitis and those investigating the effects of Hangeshashinto, Orengedokuto, and
Juzentaihoto on
chemotherapy- or
radiotherapy-induced
mucositis have been conducted. The
Kampo formulae comprise several crude drugs, whose mechanisms of action are gradually being clarified. Most of these drugs that are used for the treatment of
stomatitis possess anti-inflammatory,
analgesic, and antioxidative properties. In this review, we introduce the clinical applications and summarize the available evidence on the
Kampo formulae for the treatment of
stomatitis and
oral mucositis.