The effect of aqueous extract of Stachys riederi var. japonica Miq. (Labiatae) (SRAE) on the immediate-type allergic reactions was investigated. SRAE was found to exhibit a inhibitory activity on the compound 48/80-induced systemic anaphylaxis in mice. SRAE inhibited the plasma histamine release induced by compound 48/80 in mice. In addition, SRAE also inhibited the passive cutaneous anaphylaxis reaction induced by IgE/anti-IgE in mice. The effect of SRAE on the histamine release from rat peritoneal mast cells (RPMC) was studied. SRAE inhibited the histamine release induced by compound 48/80 in RPMC. To clarify the mechanism of these inhibiting reactions, we investigated the effects of SRAE on cyclic AMP (cAMP). The level of cAMP in human leukemia cell line, HMC-1, when SRAE (1 mg/ml) was added, significantly increased compared with that of basal cells. These results indicate that SRAE may be beneficial in the treatment of immediate-type allergic reaction.