Thyme to treat acne

Acne is a troubling condition for anyone who suffers it. It is a cruel twist that at the very time when your hormones and psychological development are wanting attention from the opposite sex and to explore the world, those same hormones provide skin changes in some people that provide conditions for a skin malady that makes you want to hide yourself away. No wonder there is a such a proliferation of acne remedies available, some more useful than others. The good news is that new research has suggested that the herb thyme might offer a gentle but effective way to treat acne.

Researchers have tested extracts of thyme, marigold, and myrrh on the bacterium that is involved in the skin pores of acne sufferers, Propionibacterium acnes. This bacterium is known to infect skin pores and cause skin problems from white heads through to the puss-filled cysts of acne.

The results of the trial were that all three herbal preparations were able to kill the bacteria. However, thyme was the most effective of the three. Additionally, thyme was found to be more effective than benzoyl peroxide which is the active ingredient in many anti-acne preparations.

To make the preparations used in this trial the researchers steeped thyme in alcohol for three weeks and then used the alcoholic extract which had drawn the active ingredients from the thyme plant.

This is all good news for acne sufferers. Benzoyl peroxide can cause a burning sensation and skin irritation. Herbal preparation like this thyme tincture are much more gentle. You don’t need to fuss making your own preparations, any local herbalist will have thyme on their hands. So if you suffer acne it could be thyme to make a change in your treatment plans.