Thymus vulgaria L.
Thyme is a well-known herb that is native to the Mediterranean and southern European regions, and it’s been used in cooking and medicine for thousands of years. Ancient Egyptians used thyme for embalming their dead pharaohs, while the ancient Greeks used it in their baths and they burned it as incense in sacred temples. During the European Middle Ages, it was placed beneath pillows to aid sleep and ward off nightmares, and it was given to knights as a symbol of courage. Thyme was also placed on coffins to assure passage into the next life.
This delicate looking herb belongs to the mint family and comes in about 60 different varieties. The thyme plant can either be erect or bushy and reaches about 45cm in height. Thyme has a strong flavour and is used in salads, soups, sauces, breads, vegetables, meat dishes, jellies, and desserts. It’s a basic ingredient in many different cuisines, particularly French. Together with bay leaves and parsley, it makes up a bouquet garni and it’s a prime ingredient in Benedictine liqueur. Unlike many other herbs, thyme retains much of its flavour when it’s dried, it’s also slow to release this flavours so it’s added early in the cooking process.
Medicinal Uses
Treatment of Acne
Thyme possesses amazing anti-bacterial properties. It is effective in fighting the bacteria that causes skin acne. Thyme is often incorporated as an ingredient in acne creams and face washes.
Maintains Skin Health
Thyme helps in maintaining skin health by eliminating the bacteria that is responsible for causing various skin problems. Thyme essential oil can be diluted with water and used as a toner to tighten mature skin. It is gentle on your skin and can be used for all skin types.
Treatment of Athlete’s Foot
The antifungal properties of thyme make it beneficial for the treatment of athlete’s foot.
Thyme Benefits for Hair
Thyme has been known for its hair benefits since centuries. Thyme essential oil encourages hair growth as well as combats various hair problems.
Stimulates Hair Growth
Delivery of nutrients to the hair follicles is vital for hair growth. Thyme improves blood circulation to the scalp. Rubbing an oil mixture with thyme in it or thyme essential oil benefits in facilitating the delivery of nutrients to the scalp and encourages hair growth besides making it healthier and shinier.
Treatment of Hair Thinning
If you are experiencing hair thinning or hair loss, thyme essential oil is a great remedy. Usage of thyme oil for hair either by itself or with other ingredients can make your hair thick and lustrous as well as combat hair loss.
Treatment of Dandruff
Due to its antibacterial properties, thyme essential oil can clear dirt from the entire scalp and is effective in the treatment of dandruff. This herb is often used as an ingredient in shampoos, conditioners and scalp treatments.
It should be kept in mind that there are different types of thyme, the two main varieties being red thyme and white thyme. Excess use of red thyme for hair can cause skin irritation; it is advisable to utilize white thyme in hair mixtures.
DBM Protocol – Adjunct Treatment – Thyme
The medicinal value of this aromatic herb renders it beneficial for your health in many ways. Certain naturally-occurring compounds in thyme provide the following health benefits. DBM Makes use of Thyme mostly in its fresh form as a culinary herb or in teas.
Anti-inflammatory Properties
As per research, thyme contains several anti-inflammatory properties which are effective in preventing chronic inflammation in the body. It can help you get rid of your acne problems.
Treatment of Indigestion
Thyme tea is known to promote good digestion, and reduce gas and bloating. This herb contains volatile oils which can cure intestinal cramping.
Treatment of Respiratory Disorders
The antiseptic and antibiotic properties of thyme make it an effective remedy for respiratory conditions like coughs and bronchitis as well as cold and sore throat. You can prepare your own thyme tea by steeping a couple of leaves in warm water and allowing it to brew. Sweeten it with some honey. Regular consumption of this tea will help to treat respiratory conditions and cold. In case of throat ache, you can boil water along with thyme and gargle with it. Thyme is a proven natural remedy for bronchitis.
Bone Health
Thyme is an excellent source of Vitamin K and a great source of iron, calcium and manganese. These minerals play a crucial role in bone health, promoting proper bone growth and development, and reducing the risk of bone disorders. Thyme helps in sustaining powerful, healthy bones and preventing bone diseases.
Cardiovascular Benefits
The amazing combination of the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of thyme helps prevent chronic inflammation which is one of the leading causes of cardiovascular disease. Thyme oil is particularly beneficial in this regard as its anti-spasmodic property promotes cardiac health. It enables proper functioning of the cardiac valves and relaxes the veins and arteries, reducing blood pressure and strengthening the heart. It is considered a great tonic to improve heart health as it enables your heart to function more efficiently.
Controls Blood Pressure
An aqueous extract from thyme helps in reducing blood pressure in situations of hypertension. The leaves of this herb are rich in potassium which helps in keeping blood pressure and heart rate under control.
Treatment of Muscle Cramps
One of the top health benefits of thyme is its effectiveness in treating menstrual cramps and other types of spasms in the body. Thyme tea is often recommended for treating PMS as well as menstrual cramps in women.
Improves Vision
Thyme is also rich in Vitamin A which is a fat soluble vitamin and an antioxidant. This vitamin helps promote healthy vision and minimize eye diseases.
Anti-bacterial Properties
The antibacterial properties of thyme benefits to fight different varieties of bacteria and fungi, E.coli being one of them. Thyme oil extract has been found to possess fighting power against antibiotic resistant strains of different types of bacteria. It can kill off bacteria both inside and outside the body. Thyme tea is also used to disinfect skin and surfaces.
Prevention and Treatment of Anaemia
Thyme is an excellent source of iron, providing nearly 20 % of the daily recommended allowance of this mineral. Iron is vital for the development of the red blood cells and energy production. Deficiency of iron can cause anaemia, exhaustion and increased susceptibility to infection. Incorporating thyme in your diet helps in the prevention and treatment of anaemia and other blood disorders.
Oral Health
The antibacterial properties of thyme make it one of the popular remedies for bad breath as it helps fight bacteria and infection in your mouth. Increase in bacteria in the mouth is responsible for causing bad breath. Thyme is also used as an ingredient in antiseptic mouthwashes meant to cure cavities and gingivitis.
Boosts the Immune System
Thyme is loaded with antioxidants which keep your body healthy by preventing infections and ailments. The volatile oils in thyme benefit the mind by increasing favorable omega 3 fatty acids within the brain, keeping your body cells healthy and slowing down the ageing process. Fatty acids assist in constructing the cell walls and also preserve the structure of the nervous system, the brain and arteries. Being a strong antioxidant, thyme helps protect these fats from damage caused by free radicals. Thyme is considered a great energy tonic to promote a person’s longevity.
Induces Sound Sleep and Lessens Tiredness
Thyme tea combined with honey is often given to children to induce sound sleep and keep bad dreams at bay. Thyme oil has excellent calming effects. It can relieve your mood and lessen tiredness.
Diuretic Properties
Thyme oil is considered a great diuretic which assists the body in getting rid of excess salts, water and other toxins by increasing urination. These properties make it beneficial for weight loss and lowering blood pressure. It is also useful for individuals with chronic renal failure.
Potential Anti-cancer Properties
Studies have proved that the constituents found in the extracts of Mastic thyme may protect from colon cancer. Consumption of wild thyme has been found to induce cell death in the breast cancer cells.
Other Benefits
The tiger mosquito, commonly known as Aedes mosquito is native to the tropical and subtropical areas of Southeast Asia. It is responsible for causing yellow fever, dengue fever and chikangunya fever. Research conducted by the American Mosquito Control Association observed that a combination of thymol, carvacrol and alpha-terpinene in thyme can destroy the Tiger mosquito larvae, preventing the incidence of these diseases. Thyme is also effective in killing intestinal worms such as round worms and tape worms, maggots in sores and hookworm. To read more on Thyme download our Advanced Nutrition PDF or go to Parasite Cleanse and Parasites to read more on intestinal worms.
Article Adapted from Sources: delispice and healthbeckon Photo Credit : Shutterstock.com