Originally published May 15 2012
Use thyme as a natural cure for acne
by PF Louis
(NaturalNews) During the 1950s and '60s, there was almost no way to get through puberty acne-free. Then the magnitude of acne-faced teens dissipated. Now acne, also known as pimples or zits, seems to be making comeback.
As acne becomes more prevalent so are the pharmaceutical solutions dispensed by dermatologists. You know, the folks who say sunshine will cause skin cancer and recommend you lather up with those carcinogenic sunscreens.
If you or someone you know is concerned about the presence of pimples, there is a natural, inexpensive solution - thyme.
Out with the pharmaceuticals and in with the thyme
The standard of care from dermatology involves antibiotics or creams containing the chemical benzoyl peroxide. Antibiotics used may kill the Propionibacterium acne (P. acne) that's associated with acne breaking out on the skin's surface.
That bacterium usually resides in healthy skin in low amounts without incident. But when trapped in enlarged pores with oil and dead skin cells, this anaerobic critter thrives, colonizes and creates those little pus pockets on top of sores.
But, anything containing benzoyl peroxide is liable to create irritation or other side effects and long term antibiotic use kills the good bacteria that help ward off other diseases. Administered orally or even intravenously for acne, antibiotics manage to kill off both the beneficial and problem-causing bacteria.
In addition, these potent antibiotics can weaken the immune system and add to P. acne's antibiotic resistance, which could be life threatening if the P. acne bacterium colonizes elsewhere -- like in the brain.
A thyme-based tincture has proven to be a more effective topical solution without side effects than benzoyl peroxide creams, according to recent research at Leeds Metropolitan University in Leeds, UK. The thyme tinctures, not essential oils, proved highly effective at soothing the skin and killing the Propionibacterium acne.
In addition to the healing and antiseptic attributes of the herb thyme, the alcohol base used for the tincture adds more antiseptic qualities. The tincture can be applied with a cotton ball, gauze, or sprayed on from a mist spray bottle.
You can make your own long lasting thyme tincture or any other herbal tincture inexpensively (http://www.naturalnews.com/032298_herbs_tinctures.html).
You can alternately combine thyme with green tea. Simply mix a half cup of chopped thyme and several teaspoons of green tea leaves into two cups of water. Bring it to a boil and let is steep until it completely cools. You can keep it in a refrigerator for a week or more and apply with a cotton ball daily.
There you have it, a couple of zits-no-more protocols that defy Big Pharma and keep you away from dermatologist fees.
Sources for this article include:
http://www.leedsmet.ac.uk
http://www.herbs2000.com/herbs/herbs_thyme.htm
http://www.skincareresourcecenter.com/toner-recipe.html
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