Thyme has been used for hundreds of years for culinary purposes, but it has also been highly regarded for its medicinal properties.
This article outlines the main health benefits of thyme, including dosage recommendations, side effects, safety, and best uses.
Table of Contents
Thyme Overview:
Thyme (Thymus vulgaris) is a perennial native to the Mediterranean region, where it was most often used as a spice. However, traditional societies also used thyme for medicinal purposes too, such as for inflammation, infections, and digestive issues.
Today, thyme is still one of the most popular herbs and spices, used very often for its culinary properties, although many people are still largely unaware of its medicinal properties.
Research reveals that thyme is filled with many nutrients, including various vitamins, minerals, essential oils, antioxidants, and phytochemicals. These nutrients are found primarily in the leaves.
Some of the specific nutrients and bioactives found in thyme are:
- Thymol
- Carvacrol
- Lutein
- Zeaxanthin
- Pigenin
- Thymonin
- Vitamins A, C, and B6 (and other B-complex vitamins)
- Calcium, iron, magnesium, & zinc
- Beta-Carotene
Health Benefits of Thyme:
There are several potential health benefits of thyme, which result from its rich nutrient and phytochemical profile.
1. May Help With Coughs & Respiratory Health
Several studies indicate that thyme may act as a natural cough reliever, while helping to promote better breathing and general respiratory function.
In a clinical trial involving children with asthma, those given a thyme preparation experienced significant decreases in coughing during activity compared to the control group, as well as a general improvement in breathing patterns.
In a clinical study, researchers looked into the effects of thyme and ivy (Hedera) combination syrup versus dextromethorphan (a common cough drug) in controlling coughs and irritation. They found that the thyme-ivy preparation led to an 87% reduction in cough severity compared to 80% in the dextromethorphan group, showing greater overall benefits.
In a clinical trial on adults with acute bronchitis, researchers found that a syrup consisting of thyme and ivy leaves resulted in fewer coughing episodes and a faster resolution of symptoms compared to the placebo syrup.
A clinical study on intensive care patients on a ventilator showed that thyme essential oil improved respiratory tract function and led to increased oxygen saturation and improved breathing compared to the control group.
Summary:
Clinical research has found that thyme may work to decrease coughing and support respiratory health.
2. May Support Immunity
Thyme also appears to support overall immune health and may prevent various viral, fungal, and bacterial infections.
In a clinical trial on patients with COVID-19, those who received thyme essential oil three times per day for one week showed substantial reductions in fever, dizziness, cough, pain, fatigue, and other symptoms, as well as an increase in antioxidant and immunomodulatory activity.
Thyme may also be beneficial for aiding congestion and easing sore throat pain.
A clinical study on patients with a sinus infection showed that a thyme-honey nasal spray preparation helped to reduce inflammation and polyp formation, while also promoting mucosal healing. However, other effects weren’t significant when compared to the placebo.
In a clinical trial on patients with removable orthodontic appliances contaminated with Candida albicans (a type of fungus), researchers found that thyme essential oil spray was similar in efficacy when compared to chlorhexidine (a common antifungal chemical).
Another study showed that thyme showed significant antibacterial effects against strains of both gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria, including Eschericia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and several common infectious bacteria.
Another study indicated that a medicinal preparation of thyme extract showed strong antiviral activity against cold and flu viruses.
Summary:
Clinical trials indicate that thyme may support immune health through antibacterial effects and infection prevention.
3. May Decrease Inflammation
Research shows that thyme has anti-inflammatory properties, which in turn can help improve various inflammatory-related issues.
In a clinical study involving women, topical treatment with ThymLec® (a thyme extract preparation) reduced facial wrinkles and expression lines, while showing overall anti-inflammatory and anti-aging effects in the skin.
Another clinical trial compared the effects of thyme extract to chlorhexidine in patients with gingivitis (inflammation of the gums). They found that thyme extract had comparable efficacy to chlorhexidine in treating gingivitis, mainly by reducing IL-6 and other markers of inflammation.
In a rat study, researchers looked into the effects of essential oils from thyme (and other herbs) on controlling ethanol-induced peptic ulcers and ulcerative colitis. They found that thyme essential oil offered notable anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities in the stomach and colon, including increased glutathione (an antioxidant) and decreased malondialdehyde (a common marker of oxidative stress).
In a study done on mice with carrageenan-induced inflammation, a high dose of thyme essential oil led to a wide variety of anti-inflammatory effects, including a reduction in interleukins. This is important because interleukins are often elevated during inflammatory states, so having reduced levels suggests less inflammation and a healthier internal state.
In a study on aging mice, thyme essential oil significantly decreased cytokine activity and overall brain inflammation compared to the control group. The thyme group also showed longer telomere lengths compared to the placebo, which is important since telomere shortening is a key indicator of aging.
Summary: