Thyme 101featured

Thymus vulgaris is native to Southern Europe, from Spain to Italy. 

In Lebanon, T. vulgaris is a native species. 

 

Thyme as Medicine

 

Thyme is Bitter and Aromatic with a Warming effect on the body.

 

The name thyme derives from the Greek word ‘thymos’ which means courage or strength.

The ancient Greeks used thyme in their baths and as incense in their temples, believing the plant was a source of courage.

The spread of thyme throughout Europe was thought to be due to the Romans, as they used the plant to purify their rooms.

 

In the European Middle Ages, the herb was placed beneath pillows to promote restful sleep and ward off nightmares. Thyme was also used as incense and placed on coffins during funerals, as the essence was supposed to assure passage into the next life.

 

Thyme tea is a classic healing drink in European culture known as the medicine of choice for upper respiratory tract infections including colds, flu, bronchitis, and strep throat. 

Thyme is also recommended for improving digestion, coughs, and mucus congestion; the herb is used externally as an antimicrobial wash. 

The plant is also commonly used in cough syrups. Thyme tea, tincture, and syrup is a highly effective remedy for coughing. Because of their antiseptic effect, thyme is sometimes used for sore throat caused by infection and urinary infections. 

Thymol, a powerful antibacterial chemical found in thyme, is often used in mouthwashes, liniments, and lozenges.

 

The tea and capsules are also a remedy for infected tonsils.

 

The spice mixture za’atar, a staple in Arab cuisine, contains thyme amongst other herbs.

Fresh thyme has one of the highest antioxidant levels being rich in minerals and vitamins that are essential for optimum health. 

 

Thyme is particularly rich in vitamin A, vitamin C, Iron, Calcium, and Magnesium. 

Vitamin A is an antioxidant known for being vital in maintaining healthy mucus membranes and skin as well as good vision. Vitamin C is essential to resist infectious diseases and protects against harmful pro-inflammatory free radicals. 

Thyme also contains vitamin B6, which assists in maintaining the GABA levels in the brain and acts as a stress reliever. 

Vitamin K, vitamin E and folic acid are also present in thyme.

 

The use of thyme extracts has been traditionally practiced around the globe for the treatment of inflammatory diseases. Various studies have highlighted the plant’s anti-inflammatory properties.

 

Studies on thyme and the compounds within, such as carvacrol and thymol, have demonstrated their ability to shrink tumors, reduce cancer cell viability, and inhibit cancer cell migration in several types of cancer, including breast, colon, and lung cancer.

 

Thyme’s essential oil, rich in carvacrol and thymol, has shown significant antibacterial effects against various harmful pathogens, such as E. coli, S. aureus, and K. pneumoniae. 

 

Thyme’s antifungal properties are mainly due to the compounds present in the essential oil, thymol and carvacrol, which have been shown to effectively inhibit the growth of various fungi. Thyme essential oil has proven effective against Candida species, particularly drug-resistant strains, and prevents biofilm formation, which is crucial for fungal infections.

Thymol has shown promise in disinfecting moldy environments and as an antifungal treatment for skin infections like tinea (also known as Ringworm).

 

Thyme extracts have shown antiviral properties, particularly against herpes simplex viruses (HSV-1 and HSV-2). Studies found that thyme inhibits the viruses before they attach to cell surfaces. 

Thyme showed antiviral activity against the influenza virus. Additionally, some studies suggest the herb may interfere with HIV-1 functions. 

Thymol was listed by the Environmental Protection Agency as an effective disinfectant to protect against COVID-19, and both thymol and carvacrol have shown potential in blocking the SARS-CoV-2 virus from entering host cells.

 

Cultivation

 

Thyme is best cultivated in a hot, sunny location with loamy, sandy, or otherwise well-drained soil with a neutral or alkaline pH. Generally planted in the spring, and thereafter grows as a perennial. In Lebanon, T. vulgaris grows in groups on calcareous rocks. The plant does not need a lot of water but requires full sunlight. 

 

The flowers bloom during spring and summer. Propagation can be done by seed, cuttings, or dividing rooted sections of the plant. Thyme can tolerate frost, drought and poor, salty environments. The shrub can be pruned after flowering to keep from getting woody. T. vulgaris is most affected by root rot disease. Thyme has no invasive potential and can live for a maximum of 25 years.

 

Cautions

 

There are no concerns for thyme tea or preparations, except for the essential oil, which is irritating to the skin and mucous membranes. When using the oil, always dilute it in an equal amount of olive, almond, or grapeseed oil. The tea is safe to drink during pregnancy and childhood. For infants, stick to small amounts of tea and food preparation.

 

References

 

Hammoudi Halat, D., Krayem, M., Khaled, S., & Younes, S. (2022). A Focused Insight into Thyme: Biological, Chemical, and Therapeutic Properties of an Indigenous Mediterranean Herb. Nutrients, 14(10), 2104. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14102104

 

Hobbs, C. (n.d.). Thyme. Christopher Hobbs. https://christopherhobbs.com/herbal-therapeutics-database/herb/thyme/