Thyme is a Mediterranean plant, which is a food, medicinal and decorative product. The flowers, leaves, and oil of this herb have long been used to treat a number of symptoms and health problems. These include diarrhea, abdominal cramps, arthritis, and sore throat. Why is thyme really useful, and are there any side effects from it?
Thyme Key Facts
The most common variety is the common thymus. Thyme is believed to have insecticidal, antibacterial, and possibly antifungal properties. People have used it throughout history for embalming and disease prevention.
Thyme is used fresh and dried. Also on sale is its essential oil.
The plant has a number of powerful medicinal effects. Thymol, which is part of it, is one of the often found in nature classes of substances known as biocides. These are compounds that can destroy harmful organisms, such as infectious bacteria.
Used along with other biocides, such as carvacrol, thyme has significant antimicrobial properties.
One study, conducted in 2010, suggests that thymol can reduce the resistance of bacteria to common drugs, including penicillin.
Thus, scientists claim that thyme is healthy. There are contraindications to its use, but there are not so many.
A bit of history
People have used thyme throughout history. For example, the ancient Egyptians used it as a liquid for embalming.
In ancient Greece, people used it as incense in temples and added it to bathing water.
The Romans used thyme as a flavoring for alcoholic drinks and cheeses. They also allegedly offered it as a cure for people who were depressed or melancholy. The Roman army brought thyme to the British Isles when it conquered these lands.
Hippocrates, who lived from 460 to 370 BC. e. and known today as the “father of Western medicine,” he advised thyme for the treatment of respiratory diseases. People grew this grass in the gardens and harvested it in the wild.
When the Black Death (plague pandemic) took over Europe in the 1340s, people wore thyme to protect them from infection. Scientific studies do not confirm this specific application, but they have shown that the plant has a number of medicinal properties that modern people can use to their advantage. Is thyme useful from the point of view of modern researchers?
Essential oil
The oil of this plant has a high thymol content and can be used to combat harmful bacteria and insects. People can use fresh thyme leaves in tea and cooking, as well as place them between layers of linen to protect the fabric from insects.
Thyme essential oil includes 20-60 percent thymol. Manufacturers extract it for a variety of uses, including aromatizing soaps and deodorants. Due to its antiseptic and antifungal properties, it is a common component of mouthwashes.
What is thyme good for? People have long used its oil as an insect repellent and antiseptic. Thymol is a common meat preservative, and olive farmers often add it to olive oil.
Unlike fresh leaves, a person cannot consume essential oils inside or apply them directly to the skin. They must be diluted in a carrier oil such as olive.
The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) defines thyme essential oils as “generally recognized as safe for their intended use.” At the same time, anyone who wants to make significant changes in their treatment should initially discuss this with a doctor.
Nutritional properties
Thyme has almost no calories. One serving for tea is about 2 tablespoons of fresh grass or about 1 teaspoon of dried. This amount of raw materials contains less than 1 calorie. Calorie content is represented by carbohydrates, primarily fiber. How useful is thyme for women, men and children?
You will not get many vitamins or minerals by consuming a plant. However, it contains a small amount of vitamins A and C, as well as magnesium and potassium.
Collection, preparation and storage
If you want to buy fresh grass, look for it on sale in the markets. What does a healthy thyme look like? The photo is presented in the article. Choose a plant that has thick tall stems with bright green or grayish-green leaves. You should choose a grass that has no visible flowers.
When you bring fresh thyme home, do not wash it until you are ready to use it. You can wrap it in a paper towel and place the package in a plastic bag. Store thyme in the refrigerator where it should remain fresh for a week or more. When using grass, separate the leaves from the stems by sliding your finger across the stalk.
Benefit for health
What is thyme good for? It was used by ancient cultures in temples and during funeral rituals. The plant has also gained popularity as a medicine. Grass is still used by people all over the world to treat conditions such as:
- Bad breath.
- Sore throat.
- Colic in children.
- Arthritis.
- Dyspepsia.
- Diarrhea.
- Bed-wetting.
- Skin diseases.
- Parasites.
- Laryngitis.
- Tonsillitis.
Thyme is also used to stimulate appetite and prevent fluid loss. However, it is worth noting that today there is insufficient evidence to support the use of plants for treatment.
How useful is thyme in tea? There is some preliminary evidence that using thyme along with other herbs can help relieve cough in patients with upper respiratory infections or colds. Some studies also show that herbal supplements, which include this herb, can help relieve symptoms of bronchitis.
Finally, this plant can help stimulate hair growth. A clinical study showed that lavender oil, applied topically with essential oils of thyme, rosemary and cedar wood, can increase the quality of hair.
High blood pressure
Scientists from the University of Belgrade found that water extract from wild thyme reduced blood pressure in experiments on rats. These animals respond to hypertension in a similar way to humans, so these results are significant for humans. However, additional tests are needed to confirm the significance of the data.
How is thyme useful for men? Studies have also shown that the plant lowers cholesterol. To use it with advantage, it is recommended to replace it with salt during cooking.
Bacterial foodborne infections
A group of scientists from the Center for Animal Research and Veterinary Sciences in Portugal studied the antimicrobial activity of essential oils obtained from some aromatic plants, including thyme oil. They reported that, even at low concentrations, it has shown potential as a natural food preservative, protecting them from being defeated by several common food-borne bacteria that cause illness in humans.
In one Polish study, thyme and lavender oils were tested and it was found that the former works effectively against resistant strains of the bacteria Staphylococcus, Escherichia, Enterococcus and Pseudomonas.
Colon cancer
What are the beneficial properties of thyme herb? A study in Lisbon showed that extracts of an oil-bearing plant species can protect people from colon cancer.
Mammary cancer
Useful properties of thyme for women are as follows. Researchers in Turkey have studied the effect of a wild plant on breast cancer activity and its behavior in cancer cells. They found that the plant causes their death.
Yeast infection
The beneficial properties of thyme for women are explained by the antifungal activity of the plant. Candida albicans (C. albicans) is a common cause of yeast infections in the mouth and vagina. This is a recurring condition called the “thrush.” Researchers from the University of Turin in Italy found that thyme essential oil significantly enhances the destruction of C. albicans in the human body.
Various skin problems
Why is thyme useful as an external remedy? Skin problems are found all over the world. In some countries, herbal preparations are important medicines.
A team of scientists from Addis Ababa University (Ethiopia) conducted a study to evaluate the therapeutic benefits of a 10 percent cream with chamomile extract and a 3 percent antifungal cream with thyme essential oil for eczema-like lesions. They noted that 66.5% of people who received these drugs fully healed, compared with 28.5% of those who used a placebo.
Researchers concluded that a 3 percent cream with thyme essential oil may be a relatively readily available and cost-effective option for treating mild to moderate cases of fungal infections. Nevertheless, they advise further research.
To get rid of acne
Scientists from Leeds (England) tested the effect of tinctures of myrrh, calendula and thyme on Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes), an acne-causing bacterium. They found that thyme can be effective in treating it.
Its antibacterial effect was stronger than that of standard concentrations of benzoyl peroxide, the active ingredient in most creams and anti-acne products.
Benzoyl peroxide also causes burning and skin irritation. This means that thyme tincture can be a good solution for acne treatment with fewer undesirable effects. This explains why thyme is good for the body.
Thus, if you are tired of buying and trying various acne medications, and all to no avail, you may be lucky. Thyme is known for its antibacterial properties and can be a great way to fight acne.
When the leaves are immersed in alcohol for several days or weeks, it turns into a solution known as tincture. Researchers in the UK have tested the effect of thyme tincture on acne. In one such study, the results were impressive. This natural herbal preparation fought acne better than anti-acne medications that included benzoyl peroxide. Time will tell whether this remedy is an effective treatment for acne.
For cough treatment
How useful is thyme in tea? The essential oil of this plant, obtained from its leaves, is often used as a natural cough suppressant. In one study, a combination of thyme and ivy leaves helped relieve cough and other symptoms of acute bronchitis.
The next time you come across a cough or sore throat, try drinking thyme tea. Recipe for its preparation: for 200 g of water should take 15 g of thyme and thyme, 1 tsp. black tea. Mix the herbs in a strainer, then cover and insist for 5-7 minutes. If desired, sugar can be added to the finished drink.
For disinfection
Mold is a common but potentially dangerous air pollutant that can be hidden in your home. As soon as you discover it, take the necessary measures to get rid of it once and for all. Thyme oil can be a good remedy for mold control.
You can also make a home repellent by mixing four drops of thyme oil with a few tablespoons of olive oil or a little water.
Tiger mosquito repellent
Useful properties of the thyme plant include the eradication of tiger mosquitoes. These insects mainly live in the tropical and subtropical regions of Southeast Asia. Since the 1990s, they have spread throughout the world, spreading West Nile virus, yellow fever, St. Louis encephalitis, Dengue and Chikungunya fever.
A team from Chungbuk National University in South Korea reported that a combination of thymol, alpha terpinene and carvacrol was effective in killing tiger mosquito larvae.
Extends the stability of vegetable oils
Lipid oxidation is a serious problem in the processing and storage of food. This can lead to a loss of nutritional quality, stability, safety and nutritional value.
Scientists from Warsaw investigated whether thyme extract can prolong the stability of sunflower oil at different temperatures. They suggest that the plant may be a powerful antioxidant to stabilize this product.
To set the mood
Thyme essential oil is often used for aromatic and therapeutic purposes because of the active substance in its composition - carvacrol. In a study conducted in 2013, it was shown that carvacrol affects the activity of neurons in a way that improves the well-being of subjects.
Therefore, if you regularly use thyme or its oil, this can have a positive effect on your feelings and mood.
For a good appetite
It is an excellent culinary ingredient that is used in cuisines around the world, especially in France, Italy and throughout the Mediterranean. Thyme has a scent that is often described as pine. Some people also experience a bitter, floral, herbal taste. Thyme is often included in seasonings such as Provence herbs, etc. Use it to flavor fish and poultry dishes, as well as pasta.
To do this, apply fresh or dried leaves, as well as whole branches. You can see how these parts of thyme look in the photo. The beneficial properties of the plant can be used for a healthy diet. For example, whole-grain pasta and cheese with mushrooms and thyme are a healthy dish for both children and adults.
Probable side effects and contraindications
Thyme is a Mediterranean herb with dietary and medicinal uses. Most parts of the plant have various uses. Studies say that grass can be used to treat diseases like diarrhea, sore throat, and even arthritis. But some people have also reported side effects. We examined the beneficial properties of thyme for women. And contraindications for its use are also worth exploring.
One of the reasons for the appearance of undesirable effects may be the fact that thyme belongs to the same family as mint. Sensitivity to these plants (e.g. mint or oregano) is quite common, especially in women and children. If you are allergic to any of this family, you may also be intolerant of thyme.
What side effects from thyme can be felt? Excessive consumption of the plant can also cause negative consequences. This may be due to volatile oils in the grass, which can cause problems for some people. Despite the many beneficial properties of tea with thyme, there are contraindications to its use. If you have the symptoms listed below, abruptly cut or stop using the plant altogether.
- Headache. Studies show that thyme can activate TRPA1 channel 1 in the human body, and this can cause migraines. It was also found that its activation provokes inflammation of the sensory nerve endings, which is similar to the effect observed when smoking.
- Bouts of asthma. Thymol, the main component of thyme, has been recognized as a strong asthagen. It is also a respiratory sensitizer that can exacerbate respiratory problems.
- Skin allergy. Some thyme farmers have been diagnosed with contact dermatitis. This allergy, according to research, was caused by the pollen of a plant that these people came into contact with during their work.
Some other thyme side effects have been reported. Although more research is still needed, it is important that you know about them. They include the following:
- Hypotension. An allergic response to thyme can cause hypotension, as has been observed in a number of subjects. Some sources even hint at cardiac arrest when taking plant oil.
- Gastrointestinal problems. Taking thyme and its oil inside can lead to heartburn, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and gastrointestinal irritation.
- Endocrine health. Thyme extracts can lower the level of the thyroid stimulating hormone, which can harm the health of the endocrine system.
- Urethra infection. Ingesting thyme can aggravate inflammation associated with urinary tract infections.
- Muscle weakness.
Possible problems during pregnancy
Despite the many useful properties of thyme for women, there are contraindications to its use. Due to the lack of sufficient data, the plant is not recommended during pregnancy and lactation.
How can you prevent these side effects?
Be careful with the dosage. There is no specific recommended dose of thyme, and it all depends on the person. Therefore, consult your doctor and stick to the amount suggested by him.
Conclusion
Thyme is a potent herb, so do not use it too much. Be aware of potential side effects and take immediate action if any of these occur.