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Zheng LW, Hua H et al. Oral Dis 2011: 17: 7–12

Owing to 'differences in language, philosophy and concept of diagnosis and treatment', the basics of Chinese medicine are difficult to communicate with Western healthcare workers. This review focuses on five Chinese medicines: Liuwei Dihuang, Tripterygium glycosides, Stomatitis-healing granule, Zengshengping and Composite Taixian tablet. Zengshengping has been used to manage precancerous lesions, whereas the others, with varying efficacy, have been used to treat recurrent aphthous stomatitis, oral lichen planus and Sjögren's syndrome. Some of these herbs are highly toxic. For example, Tripterygium glycosides can cause, among other conditions, bone marrow suppression and kidney failure. The authors concede that although they had originally intended to carry out a systematic review, they had to settle for a narrative review because of a paucity of high quality studies.