Thyme is not only one of the most popular culinary herbs today, but it also has a long history of use as a healer and medicinal protector. For example, in Roman times, it was consumed to prevent and treat poisoning.
What is thyme?
Thyme (Thymus vulgaris) is a plant that belongs to the mint family (Lamiaceae). The plant is a relative of the oregano genus Origanum.
Thyme is currently cultivated worldwide, and fresh leaves are usually dried and used as culinary spices. This plant comes in dozens of varieties.
What is thyme good for? According to a 2018 report, thyme exhibits antimicrobial, antioxidant, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, and antispasmodic activities.
In general, it is excellent for supporting the immune and respiratory systems, as well as the digestive, nervous, and other systems of the body.
Nutritional Information
The main component of thyme and its essential oil is thymol, which gives it its antiseptic properties. For this reason, thyme oil is commonly used in mouthwashes and toothpaste. Additionally, thymol kills fungi.
Moreover, thyme contains another bacterial fighter known as carvacrol and also has a variety of flavonoids including apigenin, naringenin, luteolin, and thymoquinone. These flavonoids enhance the antioxidant capacity of the plant and have numerous health-promoting effects.
A teaspoon of fresh thyme leaves contains approximately:
3 calories
1 gram of carbohydrates
less than 1 gram of protein, fiber, or fat
3.6 milligrams of vitamin C (6 percent DV)
105 IU of vitamin A (3% DV)
0.3 milligrams of iron (3% DV)
0.3 milligrams of manganese (3% DV)
Health Benefits
1. Helps Combat Sore Throat
Studies have shown that thyme is a powerful natural antimicrobial, making it a serious weapon against sore throats. The carvacrol content is the main reason this plant helps alleviate sore throat.
A recent study tested the response of thyme oil to 120 different strains of bacteria isolated from patients with infections of the oral cavity, respiratory tract, and genitourinary tract.
The results of the experiments showed that thyme oil exhibited extremely strong activity against all clinical strains. It even demonstrated good efficacy against antibiotic-resistant strains.
Next time you have a sore throat, make sure to add this plant to your soup and/or sip some thyme tea that destroys germs.
2. May Help Lower Blood Pressure and Cholesterol Levels
Thyme ingestion has been shown to produce antihypertensive activity, making it an excellent herbal choice for anyone suffering from symptoms of high blood pressure.
A recent animal study found that the extract of Thymus vulgaris could significantly reduce heart rate in hypertensive rats. It was also shown that the extract reduces cholesterol, triglycerides, and LDL while increasing HDL cholesterol levels.
3. May Help Prevent Food Poisoning
Thyme has the ability not only to help prevent food contamination but also to decontaminate previously contaminated food.
In several studies published in Food Microbiology, researchers found that the essential oil of the plant is capable of extending the shelf life of meat and baked goods and decontaminating lettuce inoculated with Shigella, an infectious organism that causes diarrhea and can lead to major intestinal damage.
In one study, washing produce in a solution containing just 1% of the oil reduced the number of Shigella bacteria below the detection point.
4. May Boost Mood
The compound called carvacrol found in this medicinal plant has some very positive effects on mood enhancement.
Research has shown that when carvacrol was administered for eight consecutive days to animals, it could increase both dopamine and serotonin levels in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus. Dopamine and serotonin are two key neurotransmitters when it comes to your mood.
Carvacrol is an active molecule in the brain that can influence cognitive activity by modulating neurotransmitters. If thyme is ingested regularly in low concentrations, it could improve feelings of well-being. Other studies, mostly conducted on rats, show that it has particularly anxiolytic properties, meaning it combats anxiety.
5. Supports the Immune System and May Help Fight Cancer
The active constituents in this plant may be capable of fighting against the development of tumors that can become cancerous. More specifically, carvacrol is a major component of thyme that has antitumor properties, making this plant a potential food for cancer-fighting.
A recent study published in Anti-Cancer Drugs found that carvacrol inhibited the proliferation and migration of two colon cancer cell lines. Overall, research shows that carvacrol has therapeutic potential for both the prevention and treatment of colon cancer.
Thyme has immunomodulatory effects and may help treat autoimmune conditions, according to recent animal studies. It has been found to have not only antioxidant effects but also the ability to reduce the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines that can contribute to chronic diseases.
6. Naturally Protects Against Bronchitis
For centuries, some of the most common uses of thyme have been the natural treatment of cough, bronchitis, and other respiratory issues.
7. Protects Oral/Dental Health
As mentioned above, extracts derived from this plant are used in dental products such as toothpaste and mouthwash. Compounds in this plant can help prevent the development of infections in the mouth and maintain healthy teeth by reducing plaque and cavities.
Thyme vs Oregano
Thyme is a relative of another common medicinal plant, oregano. While there are some similarities between the two, there are also several differences. Here’s how these two spices compare:
Thyme
Contains more vitamin A and vitamin C
Frequently administered orally for bronchitis, whooping cough, sore throat, colic, arthritis, upset stomach, stomach pain (gastritis), diarrhea, intestinal gas (flatulence), parasitic worm infections, and skin conditions
Natural diuretic
Appetite stimulant
Oregano
Contains more potassium, iron, and calcium
Shares many of the health benefits of thyme; used for respiratory tract conditions such as cough, asthma, and bronchitis
Also used for gastrointestinal conditions such as heartburn and bloating
May help treat menstrual cramps, rheumatoid arthritis, urinary infections, headaches, and heart conditions
Similarities
Contains thymol and carvacrol, both of which have been shown to inhibit bacterial growth
Antibacterial
Antifungal
Powerful antioxidants
