Thyme Oil Inhibits Inflammation

Science Daily has an article titled Thyme Oil Can Inhibit COX2 and Suppress Inflammation. Quoting:

ScienceDaily (2010-01-14) -- Researchers have found that six essential oils -- from thyme, clove, rose, eucalyptus, fennel and bergamot -- can suppress the inflammatory COX-2 enzyme, in a manner similar to resveratrol, the chemical linked with the health benefits of red wine. They also identified that the chemical carvacrol was primarily responsible for this suppressive activity.

The COX-2 enzyme is one of three COX isoenzymes. COX is an abbreviation for cyclooxygenase. The enzymes induce the formation of prostanoids including prostaglandins and thromboxane which can lead to inflammation. Pain relief results when inflammation is reduced and suppression of COX-2 reduces inflammation.

The Science Daily article points out that six oil sources were found to inhibit COX-2 expression. They are thyme, rose, clove, eucalyptus, fennel and bergamot. Thyme oil was the most effective of the group. Carvacrol, a component of thyme oil, was found to be a strong inhibitor.

Psoriasis

Psoriasis: Effects Don’t Always Stop With the Skin, is a Science Daily article with some useful information about psoriasis. Psoriasis is a skin disorder with redness, flaking and scaly symptoms. The National Psoriasis Foundation has a website with detailed information. From the Science Daily article:

Science Daily (2010-01-04) -- Psoriasis, a chronic disease that causes red, raised patches of skin, is increasingly seen as a systemic disease with links to arthritis and cardiovascular disease.

The following can be used to treat the disease:

* Corticosteroids or retinoids (to reduce inflammation)
* Vitamin D analogs (they slow skin growth)
* Tar (reduces itching, scaling and inflammation)
* Tacrolimus and pimecrolimus (calcineurin inhibitors which can induce inflammation and skin cell buildup reduction)

Also suggested as being helpful were epsom salts, thick moisturizing creams and petroleum jelly.

Another useful product is Udderly Smooth. It is manufactured by Redex Industries Inc., Salem Ohio 44460. Telephone: 1-800-345-7339.