Aromatic Approach to Address Skin Diseases

Giving eucalyptus its characteristic aromatic scent, plant-based terpenoids are compounds that have been used as herbal remedies for antibacterial purposes.  William Tuong, from University of California/Davis (UCD; California, USA), and colleagues completed a meta-analysis of published studies involving plant terpenoids.  The team found that terpenoidsare a diverse group of phytochemicals, the application of which may benefit patients with actinic keratosis, cutaneous candidiasis, hyperpigmentation, photoaging, and wounds. The researchers report anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory, and anti-oxidant properties of terpenoids as a pathogenic mechanism, writing that: “Terpenoids appear to be effective in treating specific dermatologic conditions.”