Fresh Thyme Plant | All the Health Benefits
March 18, 2022
Thyme is a common herb used in culinary dishes. It also has many health benefits and is sometimes used as an herbal medicine. The word “thyme” was derived from the Greek word thumus, or courage. In ancient times, knights would wear a sprig of thyme on their armor as a symbol of courage. Thyme is native to the southern Mediterranean, but it is now commonly found throughout North America as well.
What Is Thyme?
Thyme (Thymus vulgaris) is a species of flowering plant in the mint family Lamiaceae.
It is a perennial evergreen herb that is very aromatic and often used to flavor meals. Thyme is a relative of oregano, which is also native to the Mediterranean and is likewise a popular culinary herb.
There are actually over 400 varieties of thyme plant, but three types of thyme are most commonly used to cook with—English thyme, German thyme, and French thyme.
What Does Thyme Look Like?
The appearance of thyme varies depending on the type. Thyme leaves are often different, as are the aromas of the thyme plant from variety to variety. English thyme has a red stem with small, pointed leaves that spread along the ground. German thyme has a green stem, with small rounded leaves that tend to grow upward toward the sun. French thyme has much pointer leaves with a reddish stem similar to English thyme. English and German thyme both have a similar aroma, but German thyme has more intense aromatic oils and a more potent flavor.
What Is Thyme Used For?
Most commonly, thyme is used as a culinary spice. Thyme leaves are typically used, though some people add a sprig of thyme including the stem in their dishes. Thyme herb is used in a wide variety of cuisines and dishes and pairs well with many foods. Many meat dishes use thyme as a seasoning as well as many pastas and lasagnas.
Fresh thyme or dried thyme can be used to cook with. When available, fresh thyme is recommended for its aromatic aroma and potent flavor.
Thyme is also used medicinally as well. Thyme herb has antispasmodic, mucus-clearing, and antibacterial actions. It also contains an essential oil, known as thymol, and certain flavonoids.
Health Benefits of Thyme
Thyme has many health benefits. Some of the top thyme benefits include:
Thyme May Boost Your Immunity
One of the greatest benefits of thyme is its ability to improve immune system health. Thyme contains compounds with powerful antiviral and antimicrobial properties, so it can help your body fight off infections.
Thyme contains two volatile compounds—thymol and carvacrol—both of which have powerful medicinal properties.
Thymol is actually an active ingredient used in pesticide products registered for use as animal repellents, fungicides/fungistats, medical disinfectants, tuberculocides, and virucides. As an extract, it is so potent that it should only be used short term for treating infections. One should be careful with long-term use as it may kill beneficial bacteria in the gut as well.
The thymol content is minimal in the whole herb, so using thyme in culinary dishes is safe for long term use.
Thyme Has Anti-Inflammatory Properties
Inflammation is a natural response of the immune system. Inflammation helps us fight off infections so our body can heal. However, if inflammation occurs for long periods of time due to dietary, lifestyle, or environmental influences, it can become chronic. Chronic inflammation is considered to be the root cause of many major diseases and is a serious threat to our health.
It is important to keep inflammation levels low, and incorporating thyme into your diet is a great way to support this. Thymol and carvacrol, the two major volatile compounds in thyme, have powerful anti-inflammatory properties.
Studies have found that they cause anti-inflammatory effects in the body by reducing the production of inflammatory mediators, such as IL-1β and prostanoids.
Thyme Can Prevent Bacterial Infections
There have been many studies on carvacrol and thymol’s antibacterial properties. Research has shown that carvacrol, for example, is able to damage the bacterial membrane.
One study published in the National Library of Medicine states that “Carvacrol and thymol are potent antibacterial agents against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria.”
While the whole thyme herb may help fight bacterial infections, thyme oil or thyme extract is much more potent for this use.
Thyme Can Help Treat Yeast Infections
Yeast infections are fungal infections that are typically caused by the fungus Candida albicans. Thyme can help treat yeast infections due to its powerful antifungal properties. These properties are again attributed to carvacrol and thymol.
In one study studying the effects of thymol on Candida, the study concluded that “thymol was found to have a fungicidal effect on Candida species” meaning that thymol appeared to kill several different types of Candida yeast, including the common yeast Candida albicans.
Another study on carvacrol found that “Carvacrol demonstrated the strongest antifungal activity against Candida albicans biofilms. Furthermore, carvacrol was shown to be effective regardless of the maturity of the biofilm.”
Biofilms are films made of bacteria that often protect Candida yeast from harmful chemicals like antifungal compounds. Carvacrol has been shown to destroy Candida biofilms.
Since thyme contains both carvacrol and thymol it packs a powerful punch as an antifungal. Carvacrol destroys the biolfilm protecting Candida, and thymol works on killing the Candida yeast.
Of course, Candida infections are notorious for being difficult to treat. To really get rid of a Candida infection requires a total Candida protocol (link protocol) that involves changes in diet and lifestyle, as well as the use of antifungal herbs.
Thyme May Help You Fight Acne
Because of thyme’s antibacterial properties, it has also been used as a remedy for acne. The bacterium Propionibacterium acnes has been shown to be a key player in the development of acne. Research on P. acnes has found that the bacterium uses sebum (the oil produced by your body’s sebaceous glands) as a source of energy.
A thyme alcohol tincture, as well as thyme essential oil have both been used in the treatment of acne.
Thyme Is Used in Aromatherapy
Thyme essential oil is commonly used in aromatherapy. Aromatherapy, also known as essential oil therapy, is a holistic healing treatment that uses natural plant extracts to promote health and well-being.
Thyme is used in aromatherapy for both physical and psychological benefits. Thyme essential oil contains the volatile compounds thymol and carvacrol, and may be used as a disinfectant and antibacterial.
Thyme essential oil is also often used for enhancing mood. Interestingly, studies on carvacrol have shown that it can increase concentrations of serotonin and dopamine, two hormones that are associated with positive mood, happiness, and feelings of well-being.
Thyme essential oil is also commonly used in natural skin care products and deodorants.
You can also use thyme essential oil in an essential oil diffuser to infuse a room with its pleasant aroma and its mood-boosting properties.
What Are the Active Compounds in Thyme?
The medicinal properties of plants are primarily attributed to the active compounds within them. According to Science Direct, “the major chemicals active in thyme are hydrocarbon and phenolic compounds like borneol, carvacrol, cymol, linalool, thymol, tannin, apigenin, luteolin, saponins, and triterpenic acid.”
Is Thyme Safe?
Thyme is a very safe herb that has been used for thousands of years as both a food and an herbal medicine. In food amounts when used as a culinary spice thyme is considered to be a very safe herb. However, the overconsumption of thyme may cause upset stomach, cramps, headaches, and dizziness. As an extract, thyme is strongly antibacterial and is not recommended for long term use, as it may affect beneficial bacteria in the gut.
Summary
Thyme (Thymus vulgaris) is a species of flowering plant in the mint family Lamiaceae.
It is a perennial evergreen herb that is very aromatic and is often used to flavor meals. Thyme is a relative of oregano, which is also native to the Mediterranean and is likewise a popular culinary herb.
The word “thyme” was derived from the Greek word thumus, or courage. In ancient times, knights would wear a sprig of thyme on their armor as a symbol of courage. Thyme is native to the southern Mediterranean, but it is now commonly found throughout North America as well.
There are actually over 400 varieties of thyme plant, but three types of thyme are most commonly used to cook with—English thyme, German thyme, and French thyme.
Thyme herb is used in a wide variety of cuisines and dishes and pairs well with many foods. Thyme is also used medicinally as well. Thyme herb has antispasmodic, mucus-clearing, and antibacterial actions. It also contains an essential oil, known as thymol, and certain flavonoids.
The primary active compounds in thyme responsible for many of its health benefits are thymol and carvacrol. These compounds make thyme a great herb for boosting immunity and fighting off infections, as well as for reducing inflammation and boosting mood.
In food amounts when used as a culinary spice thyme is considered to be a very safe herb. As an extract, thyme is strongly antibacterial and is not recommended for long term use, as it may affect beneficial bacteria in the gut. If you plan to use concentrated amounts of thyme or its extracts for medicinal use, it is recommended to consult with your doctor first.
References:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7571078/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23220159/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4347498/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4659158/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/labs/pmc/articles/PMC6270539/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29785774/
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