7 Amazing Benefits of Thyme

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Thyme comes from the genus Thymus and the most common type is Thymus vulgaris. This herb comes from mint family that you are probably familiar with from your spice set. But this spice is so much more than an after-thought ingredient.

Thyme is an herb with medicinal, culinary and ornamental uses. Its leaves, flowers and oil have been used to treat various medicinal problems. Here are 7 of thymes health benefits:

7 Amazing Benefits of Thyme
thyme health benefits / photo source: thehealthsite

Health Benefits of Thyme:

1. Anti-fungal Components

The most populatractive ingredient present in thyme is thymol. This organic compound contains a wide range of effects on the body, which include the ability to prevent viral and fungal infections, thereby reducing strain on your immune system.

2. Cough Remedy

Thyme essential oil, is obtained from its leaves, and is often used as a natural cough remedy. One study reported that a combination of ivy leaves and thyme helped in alleviating cough and other symptoms of acute bronchitis.

So, next time you are suffering from cough or sore throat, you can try drinking some thyme tea.

3. Heart Health

The rich blend of minerals, antioxidants and vitamins in thyme have many effects on the heart, but the manganese and potassium are particularly important. Potassium is a vasodilator, which means that it can reduce the stress on the cardiovascular system by lowering blood pressure and relaxing blood vessels. This can help extend your life by preventing atherosclerosis, heart attacks, stroke and coronary heart disease.

4. Management of Blood Pressure and Cholesterol Levels

Consumption of thyme has been reported to produce antihypertensive activity, which makes it a good herbal choice for individuals suffering from high blood pressure symptoms.

A current animal study reported that thyme extract was able to significantly reduce the heart rate of participants with high blood pressure. The extract was also reported to reduce cholesterol, triglyceride and LDL levels while increasing HDL cholesterol levels.

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Instead of overdoing it on salt, you can try adding more beneficial herbs such as thyme to your daily meals.

5. Prevents Cancer

The properties in thyme have been reported to fight against cancer and tumors. More specifically, carvacrol is a major component of the essential oil that shows anti-tumor properties, thus making this beneficial plant a potential cancer-fighting food.

A current study in China which was published in Anti-Cancer Drugs found that carvacrol inhibited the migration and proliferation of the 2 colon cancer cell lines. Research shows that carvacrol contains therapeutic potential for both the treatment and prevention of colon cancer.

6. Prevents Sore Throat

Thyme oil is one of the strongest, natural antimicrobials, which makes it a great remedy for sore throats. Its carvacrol content is the main reason why it is one of the top essential oils for sore throat relief.

So, the next time you are experiencing a sore throat, make sure to add this herb into your soup or drink a soothing thyme tea.

7. Promotes Better Mood

Thyme essential oil is most often used for therapeutic and aromatic purposes due to its active substance carvacrol.

A 2013 study showed that carvacrol affect neuron activity in ways that boosted the participants’ feelings of well-being. If you use thyme oil or thyme regularly, it might have a positive effect on your mood and feelings.

Read More:
1. 7 Herbs that Naturally Lower Your Blood Pressure
2. 5 Herbs That Reduce Your Cancer Risk
3. Top Spices and Herbs that Improve Heart Health

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