The majority of teenagers have suffered from acne at some point in their adolescence. Ugly and sometimes painful bumps across one’s body are one thing everyone tries to rid of. What if the acne cream prescribed by a doctor or received over the counter was not the best solution? Recently research presented at the Society for General Microbiology’s Spring Conference
in Dublin has found that herbal preparations of thyme could be more effective than over the counter or prescription creams.
Researchers from Leeds Metropolitan University tested thyme, along with marigold and myrrh on Propionibacterium acne, which is the bacterium that infects pores causing acne of white heads, red bumps, and puss filled cysts. Acne was exposed to these three substances for five minutes. Although all three were able to kill the bacterium within the five minutes,
thyme was the most efficient and effective of the three. It was further discovered that thyme tincture had a greater antibacterial effect than the active ingredient in most acne creams, benzoyl peroxide. A tincture, made from plants and herbs is kept in alcohol for many days or even weeks drawing out the active compounds in plants in order to be effectively completed. The thyme tincture was tested against over the counter and prescription creams as well as an alcohol base. Findings explained that thyme tincture most effectively and efficiently removed and killed off the acne bacterium.
Further and extensive research on tinctures is said to be continued yet the current results have been overwhelming. An herbal treatment of thyme would be a wonderful addition to acne care. It would be beneficial for users with sensitive skin, and would be a very positive natural
alternative to current prescription creams.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/03/120327215951.htm
Tara Reynolds (3)
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This is such a cool article. I've always been interested in natural remedies for some health problems. Even through I am PreMed and understand the importance of advances in medicine, I believe that doctors today prescribe way too many pills for for the health problems that they are presented with. Articles like this give me hope that advances in medicine doesn't always have to mean "the next new synthetic drug" but advances in our knowledge of the raw materials we already have.
ReplyDeletePosted By Erica Bonnell(1)
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ReplyDeleteI agree with the above post. All though I disagree with some arguments about only using natural substances and that anything else is bad for the body, I do believe natural substances do still deserve a role in medicine. Many people get negative side effects from medicine. My brother was using accutane for acne and the side effects to him weren't worth continuing the use. Its a poisonous substance and if there are natural options available, I think they should be looked into.
ReplyDeleteTaylor Pirog (2)
Great stuff! It makes you wonder what other herbal remedies really work that are not given an honest shot. It also highlights the importance of the connection between the plants around us and our health.
ReplyDelete- William Mohn (2)
I have always been interested in homeopathic and herbal remedies to cure common ails, rather than modern medicine. Part of the reason I want to go into medicine is to have all the knowledge of a doctor, and be able to utilize these natural methods in patient care wherever possible. As a population, we are far too over-medicated, and I think that turning to back to traditional, natural remedies is our best chance at improving our overall health. Like Taylor said, Acutane and other strong medications used to treat acne are literally poisons to our body, and the more that can be swapped for natural solutions, the better.
ReplyDeletePostes by Laura Moro (2)
I absolutely agree. I liked this article a lot because I also want to be a doctor who can use the acquired knowledge for the benefit of my patients. I want to understand the medications I am giving them, prescribing them with the least potent and most natural remedies possible.
Deletethat's great news. Like a couple of the comments above, I also agree on natural remedies. The medicine nowadays might treat our illness or condition but they have far too many harmful side effects.
ReplyDelete-Hermann Kam
Like others who previously commented, 'natural' medicine can be extremely effective, and tradtional medicine and apothecary are often overlooked and even laughed at. It's almost ironic though since so many scientists study plants and animal species to gain insight on their properties, how they've evolved, how they function, and often, those discoveries are applied for human benefit, such as weapons development and medicine. I do think it should be pointed out, however, that often plants (herbs, fruits, vegetables, etc.) are paid for by commercial producers to promote sales. Ever notice how one season acai berries are the biggest and greatest for your health, then avocados and pomegranates? Granted, they all have health benefits and outweigh the benefits of french fries, but be wary when you read about stuff like thyme being better for your acne, there's always an agenda. How much more efficient was thyme in treating acne? Was it significant enough to make zits disappear faster (ie days or minutes vs other treatments)?
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