Treatment of acne vulgaris with 2% topical tea lotion

OBJECTIVE: To use 2% tea lotion as natural plant remedy in the treatment of acne vulgaris.

METHODS: We conducted this study in the Department of Dermatology and Venereology in Baghdad Teaching Hospital, Iraq during the period between October 2002 and October 2004. In this single blind randomly controlled therapeutic study, we enrolled 60 patients, their ages ranged from 14-22 years. There were 35 females and 25 males. We divided the patients equally into 2 groups; we instructed group A to use freshly prepared 2% tea lotion twice daily for 2 months, while group B used a control solution. We graded the acne vulgaris as mild and moderate acne by counting the number of papules and pustules. We carried out statistical analysis by computer using t-test, f-test, and chi-square when needed.

RESULTS: Forty-nine patients completed the study. In group A (25 patients), we noted a significantly reduced mean lesion count of papules and pustules after 2 months of therapy. The response of patients to treatment was good in 64%, moderate in 24% and no response in 12%. The satisfaction of patients with treatment was full in 64%, partial in 24%, and no satisfaction in 12%. In group B (24 patients), the lesions showed no significant reduction after 2 months and the response of patients to treatment was good in 20.8%, moderate in 45.8%, and no response in 33.4%. The satisfaction of patients with treatment in this group was full in 4.2%, partial in 12.5%, and no satisfaction in 83.3%. The mean difference in outcome after 8 weeks between the 2 study groups was statistically significant.

CONCLUSION: The 2% tea lotion has proved its efficacy as a topical therapy for acne vulgaris. This is a new natural plant extract, which lacks any side effects.