Lithospermum Erythrorhizon Root Extract
Lithospermum erythrorhizon root, a source of shikonin. Anti-inflammatory effects have been shown in mice. There are no studies of the extract on human skin
Evidence by route
Topical application
Anti-inflammatory effects of shikonin have been seen in mice and cells. There are no studies of the extract itself on human skin. An ointment with the root as its main component did not outperform placebo ointment or a standard moisturizer in two pilot RCTs
- Ahn JH et al. Exploring the efficacy and safety of topical Jaungo application in patients with atopic dermatitis: A pilot randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Complement Ther Med. 2018;40:22-28. PMID 30219454
- Kim EH et al. Comparative efficacy of Jaungo, a traditional herbal ointment, and a water-in-oil type non-steroidal moisturizer for radiation-induced dermatitis in patients with breast cancer: a prospective, randomized, single-blind, pilot study. Front Pharmacol. 2023;14:1216668. PMID 37469863
- Pan N et al. Assessment of Skin Photoallergy Risk in Cosmetics Containing Herbal Extract Ingredients. Skin Pharmacol Physiol. 2021;34(5):253-261. PMID 34198300
- Zan K et al. Pyrrolizidine alkaloids and health risk of three Boraginaceae used in TCM. Front Pharmacol. 2023;14:1075010. PMID 37033649
- Andújar I et al. Shikonin reduces oedema induced by phorbol ester by interfering with IkappaBalpha degradation thus inhibiting translocation of NF-kappaB to the nucleus. Br J Pharmacol. 2010;160(2):376-88. PMID 20423347
- Qiao G et al. Nursing Program Applying Lithospermum Oil for Incontinence-Associated Dermatitis Care Among Older Patients in Intensive Care Units: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Clin Interv Aging. 2025;20:1401-1415. PMID 40905002
- Cho HR et al. The Effect of Gromwell (Lithospermum erythrorhizon) Extract on the Stratum Corneum Hydration and Ceramides Content in Atopic Dermatitis Patients. Ann Dermatol. 2008;20(2):56-66. PMID 27303161
How to read tiers A–F
- CWeak evidence. In vitro data, open-label studies, or expert consensus
Tolerability and safety
- Working concentrations
- No effective concentration of the extract has been established. Shikonin up to 5% caused no allergy in patch and photopatch tests (Pan 2021)
- Irritation potential
- Low
- Allergen risk
- Low
- Pregnancy
- Unknown
- Suitable for
- Normal, Dry, Oily, Combination
- Use with caution
- Sensitive
About this ingredient
Lithospermum erythrorhizon root extract comes from purple gromwell, a borage-family plant that traditional Chinese and Korean medicine uses for burns and skin inflammation. The root contains the red pigment shikonin. Mechanism data come from mice and cells. Shikonin applied to mouse ears reduced phorbol ester-induced edema, cut COX-2 expression by 70% and blocked NF-κB entry into the nucleus (Andújar 2010). No study has tested the extract itself on human skin. Jaungo, a traditional ointment based mainly on this root and Angelica sinensis, did not outperform its comparators in two pilot RCTs. In 34 patients with atopic dermatitis in three groups, it was no better than placebo ointment over 3 weeks (Ahn 2018). In 50 women having radiotherapy for breast cancer, grade 2 or higher radiation dermatitis occurred in 24.0% with Jaungo and 20.0% with a moisturizer (p=0.733, Kim 2023). In an RCT in 68 older ICU patients, a nursing program with "lithospermum oil" lowered the incidence of incontinence-associated dermatitis compared with routine care but did not reduce its severity. The authors did not name the plant species, and the effect of the oil cannot be separated from the program (Qiao 2025). In an RCT in 28 patients with atopic dermatitis, stratum corneum hydration rose with capsules containing 1.5 g of the extract for 10 weeks and did not change with placebo (Cho 2008). The extract was taken by mouth, so this does not apply to application on the skin. In patch tests in 33 volunteers and photopatch tests in 10 photosensitive patients, 5% shikonin caused no contact allergy or photoallergy (Pan 2021). The root contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids, 71.16–515.73 µg/g in 15 batches. The authors found no risk for external use (Zan 2023). There are no data on use during pregnancy or breastfeeding.
Frequently asked questions
Is Lithospermum Erythrorhizon Root Extract safe during pregnancy?
Safety data for Lithospermum Erythrorhizon Root Extract during pregnancy is insufficient. Best avoided when in doubt.
What skin types is Lithospermum Erythrorhizon Root Extract for?
Lithospermum Erythrorhizon Root Extract suits: normal, dry, oily, combination. Use with caution in: sensitive.
What is Lithospermum Erythrorhizon Root Extract and what does it do in cosmetics?
Lithospermum erythrorhizon root, a source of shikonin.
What's the INCI name for Lithospermum Erythrorhizon Root Extract?
The INCI name is Lithospermum Erythrorhizon Root Extract.
What concentration of Lithospermum Erythrorhizon Root Extract is effective?
No effective concentration of the extract has been established. Shikonin up to 5% caused no allergy in patch and photopatch tests (Pan 2021)
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