Pruritus is commonly observed in cases of atopic dermatitis, and irritating the skin barrier in patients by scratching allows easier access by viruses such as the herpes simplex virus (HSV)-1, which can result in serious complications (i.e. eczema herpeticum). It has been reported that the essential oil of German chamomile (Matricaria recutita L.) possesses antipruritic and antiviral activities. In the present study, the issue of whether bisabolol oxide A, the main constituent in the essential oil of German chamomile, has antipruritic and antiviral activities was investigated. The oral administration of bisabolol oxide A (300 mg/kg) suppressed scratching behavior induced by the application of compound 48/80 to mice. Bisabolol oxide A also showed antiviral activity for HSV-1 (IC₅₀ 61.4 μg/mL). Thus, bisabolol oxide A was confirmed to exert the antipruritic and anti-herpes virus activities. Since the antipruritic and anti-herpes virus activities of German chamomile essential oil can be attributed to not only bisabolol oxide A but the other constituents as well, comparative studies on the potencies of antipruritic and anti-herpes virus activities of these constituents should be conducted in future. However, the findings presented herein provide helpful information regarding the understanding of the pharmacological activities of German chamomile essential oil and bisabolol oxide A and their application for the prevention and treatment of atopic dermatitis and its complications.