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Compounds found in the herb thyme have antibiotic properties. Now scientists have demonstrated that thyme might have a future role in fighting acne.
A number of factors cause acne, but the primary agents are bacteria called Propionibacterium acnes, or PA. Topical treatments containing benzoyl peroxide are commonly used to kill the bacteria. But they can irritate the skin.
To test other options, researchers steeped thyme, marigold and myrrh in alcohol to extract the plants active compounds. They tested the resulting tinctures on the PA bacteria. All three herbs killed more of the bacteria than an alcohol control. Thyme was the most effective of all. And thyme was also significantly more effective than the highest prescribed concentration of benzoyl peroxide. The research was presented at a conference of the Society for General Microbiology in Dublin.
The scientists say more research should be done to understand how the tinctures work on the molecular level, and to test them on actual skin environments.
Cooks already pass the thyme to add flavor to food. But acne sufferers could someday see thyme fly—into their medicine cabinets.
—Cynthia Graber
[The above text is a transcript of this podcast.]
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4 Comments
Add CommentSince a tincture of thyme would not line the pockets of Big Pharma, my guess is that it will be discouraged or banned or slimed as "old wives' tale", as has been the case with cranberry extract for UTIs.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisI don't know enough about cranberry extract and its properties and effects and how much an how it's been tested to know if I agree with ssmith04.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisI will say, however, that it may be money well spent to put more public funding toward proper research into potentially effective but unpatentable & inexpensive medicines.
With all due respect, why wait for "scientific" studies? If you are not afraid to eat thyme why be afraid to try washing your face with an infusion of thyme? When it works for your acne tell everyone. If it doesn't work, try a different herb. This is the medicine of people who live in harmony with their bodies and nature. Coincidentally, they are also the acne-free people. If you love your acne and aren't ready to give it up go ahead and wait for the studies.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisMy thought as well, although I was thinking more along the lines of: who'd invest capital in the (costly) development of an approved medication with such inexpensive ingredients? Anyone who did could hardly match the advertising budgets of current products' manufacturers without enormously inflating prices. The price to the consumer would be very similar to existing products...
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