Acne: Recommendations are easy; data, scarce

Herbalists recommend more than a dozen herbal remedies for acne and scarring, according to a recent article.

Unfortunately, only 1 of these herbals is supported by the results of a study in patients.

First, the details.

• The study was of 5% topical tea tree oil gel.
• 60 patients with mild to moderate acne vulgaris were randomly assigned to 45 days of treatment.
  • 5% topically applied tea tree oil gel
  • Placebo
• Response to treatment was evaluated by counting the acne lesions and the acne severity index.
• Neither the patients nor researchers knew the treatment given — double blind.

And, the results.

• Tea tree oil gel was significantly superior to placebo in reducing the total acne lesion count — 3.55 times more effective.
• There was significantly greater improvement with tea tree oil gel vs. placebo in acne severity — 5.75 times.
• Side effects to both treatments were relatively similar and tolerable.

Here’s a list of commonly recommended herbals that lack support based on the findings of PubMed literature searches of patients with acne.

• Black currant seed oil
  • 500 mg capsules 3 times daily for 3 months or until acne is diminished.
• Evening primrose oil
  • 500 mg capsules 3 times daily for 3 months or until acne is diminished.
• Teas from a combination of echinacea, tea tree oil, goldenseal, nettles, or calendula.
• Teas from lavender or chamomile
  • To reduce acne-causing stress.
• Chinese herbs
  • Cnidium seed
  • Honeysuckle flower
• Teas from cumin, coriander, and fennel
  • Steeped for 10 minutes in hot water and consumed 3 times a day after meals.

The bottom line?
It’s surprising how detailed the treatment recommendations are considering the lack of evidence that these herbals make a positive contribution to the management of acne.

4/19/09 21:17 JR