Compounds found in the herb thyme have antibiotic properties. Now scientists have demonstrated that thyme might have a future role in fighting acne.
研究表明，由于麝香草中的化合物具有抗菌性，未来可被用于对抗粉刺。
A number of factors cause acne, but the primary agents are bacteria called Propionibacterium acnes, or PA. Topical treatments containing benzoyl peroxide are commonly used to kill the bacteria. But they can irritate the skin.
粉刺的类别有很多种，而一种名为丙酸杆菌（英文缩写为：PA）的细菌是引起粉刺的主要元凶。人们一般采用外敷含过氧化苯甲酰的药剂治疗，但缺点是刺激皮肤。
To test other options, researchers steeped thyme, marigold and myrrh in alcohol to extract the plantsactive compounds. They tested the resulting tinctures on the PA bacteria. All three herbs killed more of the bacteria than an alcohol control. Thyme was the most effective of all. And thyme was also significantly more effective than the highest prescribed concentration of benzoyl peroxide. The research was presented at a conference of the Society for General Microbiology in Dublin.
为寻找其他疗法，研究人员先将麝香草、金盏花、没药浸泡在酒精中，提取出富含植物活性的化合物。然后将得到的酊剂涂在丙酸杆菌上。他们发现这三种草药杀死的细菌数要比采用酒精作对照时多。其中，麝香草是最有效的。不仅如此，麝香草的治疗效果和明显优于处方类最高浓度的过氧化苯甲酰。这项研究在都柏林召开的英国普通微生物学会会议上得到公布。
The scientists say more research should be done to understand how the tinctures work on the molecular level, and to test them on actual skin environments.
不过，科学家还需要进一步研究上述酊剂在分子状态的治疗原理，并且适时进行皮肤测试。
Cooks already pass the thyme to add flavor to food. But acne sufferers could someday see thyme fly—into their medicine cabinets.
大厨们早已不再依靠麝香草使食物更富口感了，不过，粉刺患者有朝一日又会在自家的药柜里瞧见它们啦。