Evidence supporting the use of: Thyme
For the health condition: Athlete's Foot

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2

Thyme (Thymus vulgaris) has both a historical and scientific basis for its use in supporting the treatment of Athlete's Foot (tinea pedis), but the main justification for its use is scientific. Thyme contains essential oils, notably thymol, which have well-documented antifungal properties. Several in vitro studies have demonstrated the efficacy of thyme oil and thymol against dermatophytes, including Trichophyton species, which are the main causative agents of Athlete's Foot. For instance, a study published in the journal Mycoses (2002) found that thymol exhibited strong antifungal activity against Trichophyton rubrum and T. mentagrophytes. Another study in Phytotherapy Research (2007) showed that thyme essential oil significantly inhibited the growth of fungal pathogens responsible for various superficial mycoses. However, while laboratory evidence for thyme's antifungal effects is robust, clinical research in humans is sparse. There are few, if any, well-designed randomized controlled trials evaluating topical thyme preparations specifically for Athlete's Foot in real-world settings. Most available evidence comes from laboratory or small-scale observational studies. Therefore, while there is a scientific basis for its use and some promising experimental data, the overall evidence for thyme as a clinical treatment for Athlete's Foot is limited, justifying a moderate evidence rating. Further clinical trials are needed to confirm its efficacy and safety for this indication.

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