4 Health Benefits of Thyme
Health Benefits of Thyme
From food to cosmetics to medicine, the herb thyme, with over 4,000 species, has been used for many millennia, benefiting humankind. Here are the 4 health benefits of thyme:
1. High Nutritional Value
Thyme is full of nutrients from protein (5.49 grams per 100 grams of thyme plant) to fiber (13.99 grams/100 grams). It also contains the following vitamins [1]:
-Vitamin C (161 mg/100 grams)
-Vitamin A (4750 IU/100 grams)
-Niacin (B3; 1.8 mg/100 grams)
-Folic acid (B9; 44.94 micrograms/100 grams)
It also contains a high amount of minerals:
-Iron (17.46 mg/100 grams)
-Calcium (404 mg/100 grams)
-Magnesium (161 mg/100 grams)
2. Antimicrobial
Thyme is a potent antimicrobial and antiseptic. It has shown benefits in chronic fungal infections and respiratory tract infections, including whooping cough and bronchitis.
In a study of asthma in children, thyme powder in syrup was given to children every 8 hours in addition to standard medical treatment. After 8 weeks of treatment with thyme, there was a significant difference in forced expiratory volume compared to children who only received standard medical treatment [3]
It is particularly effective against the cocci bacteria (e.g., Staphylococci) and enterobacteria (e.g., E. coli). [2]
3. Heart Health
Due to thyme’s anti-inflammatory ability, it may be protective against cardiovascular diseases, as chronic inflammation is an important contributor to CVD.
Green coffee infused with thyme has shown benefits of decreased weight, blood sugar, cholesterol, LDL (bad cholesterol), and triglycerides. [4]
4. COVID-19 Support
A study of 83 patients with COVID-19 was assigned to receive either thyme essential oil or a syrup three times a day. The researchers examined the frequency of common symptoms due to COVID-19 and found that fever, dizziness, and chest wall pain were significantly reduced. [5]
The anti-inflammatory compounds in rosemary make it an excellent skin care agent. Inflammatory skin conditions such as eczema, acne, and rosacea are some of the conditions that rosemary is known to treat.
The active ingredients in rosemary, such as carnosol, may help reduce redness and swelling due to the above skin conditions. [3]
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DISCLAIMER
The information in this article is for educational purposes and is not meant to treat, diagnose, or prescribe medications or herbs. For questions on the information contained in this article, please consult with your healthcare provider. This information is intended for educational purposes only, and you should consult with your healthcare provider and a licensed dietician or certified nutritionist for additional information related to the content of this article.
REFERENCES
- Waheed M, Hussain MB, Saeed F, Afzaal M, Ahmed A, Irfan R, Akram N, Ahmed F, Hailu GG. Phytochemical Profiling and Therapeutic Potential of Thyme (Thymus spp.): A Medicinal Herb. Food Sci Nutr. 2024 Nov 1;12(12):9893-9912. doi: 10.1002/fsn3.4563. PMID: 39723027; PMCID: PMC11666979.
- Waheed M, Hussain MB, Saeed F, Afzaal M, Ahmed A, Irfan R, Akram N, Ahmed F, Hailu GG. Phytochemical Profiling and Therapeutic Potential of Thyme (Thymus spp.): A Medicinal Herb. Food Sci Nutr. 2024 Nov 1;12(12):9893-9912. doi: 10.1002/fsn3.4563. PMID: 39723027; PMCID: PMC11666979.
- Eskandarpour E, Ahadi A, Jazani AM, Azgomi RND, Molatefi R. Thymus vulgaris ameliorates cough in children with asthma exacerbation: a randomized, triple-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Allergol Immunopathol (Madr). 2024 Jan 1;52(1):9-15. doi: 10.15586/aei.v52i1.964. PMID: 38186189.
- Richa Ghai, Shubhra Saraswat. Anti-hyperlipidaemic effect of thyme infused green coffee on human subjects. Human Nutrition & Metabolism. Volume 33. 2023;
200199. - Sardari, Saeed, et al. “Therapeutic effect of thyme (Thymus vulgaris) essential oil on patients with covid19: A randomized clinical trial.” (2021): 83-91. J Adv of Med Biomedical Research
