The aromatic thyme (Thymus Vulgaris) plant is a perennial and woody shrub harnessing square stems and attractive flowers. A member of the mint family, thyme is an herb that originates in the Mediterranean basIn and has a number of varieties, each with its own distinctive oil composition, Thyme is a powerful herb, popular in aromaterapy – therefore needs to be taken with care and caution. The volatile essential oils in thyme are packed wih antiseptic, antiviral, anti-rheumatic, anti-parasitic and antifungal properties.
Thyme contains many active principles that are found to have disease preventing and health promoting properties. Thyme herb contains thymol, one of the important essential oils. The other volatile oils in thyme include carvacolo, borneol, and geraniol. Thyme contains many flavonoid phenolic antioxidants like zea-xanthin, lutein, pigenin, naringenin, luteolin, and thymonin.
SOURCE OF IMPORTANT MINERALS
Thyme is packed with minerals and vitamins that are essential for optimum health. Its leaves are one of the richest sources of potassium, iron, calcium, manganese, magnesium, and selenium. Potassium is an important component of cell and body fluids that helps INcontrolling heart rate and blood pressure. Manganese is used by the body as a co-factor for the antioxidant enzyme, superoxide dismutase. Iron is required for red blood cell formation.
SOURCE OF VITAMINS
The herb is also a rich source of vitamins such as B-complex vitamins, beta carotene, vitamin-A, vitamin-K, vitamin-E, vitamin-C, and folic acid. Thyme provides 0.35 mg of vitamin B-6 or pyridoxine; furnishing about 27% of daily recommended intake. Pyridoxine keeps up GABA (beneficial neurotransmitter in the brain) levels in the brain, which has a role as stress buster. Vitamin-C helps the human body develop resistance against infectious agents and scavenge harmful, pro-inflammatory free radicals. Vitamin-A is a fat-soluble vitamin and antioxidant that is required for maintaining healthy mucus membranes and skin and is also essential for vision. Consumption of natural foods rich in flavonoids like vitamin A and beta-carotene helps protect from lung and oral cavity cancers. Thyme leaves offer significant levels of quality phyto-nutrients profile. Just 100 g of fresh leaves provides (% of Recommended daily allowance) about 38% of dietary fiber,
27% of vitamin B-6 (pyridoxine),
266% of vitamin-C,
158% of vitamin-A,
218% of iron,
40% of calcium, 40% of magnesium, and
75% of manganese but no cholesterol.
DETOXIFYING AGENT:
Thyme is also a powerful detoxitying agent, making it one of many liver detox foods. The herb is a great immune system booster that encourages white blood cell formation while increasing resistance to foriegn organisms. Consider adding herbs to your medicine cabinet.
EFFECTIVE AGAINST INFECTIONS:
Thyme is effective against infections, most specifically respiratory and digestive. Its good for diarrhea, infections of the vagina including thrush and infections in the fallopian tubes.
RELAXING EFFECT
It has relaxing effect on the muscles in the bronchi and helps to relieve asthma, whooping cough, laryngitis, bronchitis and dry coughs.
MOUTH AND GUM INFECTIONS
Mouth and gum infections can treated with a solution made from as little as 1% thyme oil, Inhalation therapy is useful for those who suffer from chronic sinus infections.
AS A DIGESTIVE HERB
Thyme can enhance appetite and digestion while stimulating the liver.
WOUND HEALING
Long before the discovery of modern medicine, crushed thyme was placed on bandages to promote wound healing and ward off infection. Thyme is no stranger to a kitchen, past or present, and is a popular culinary herb. Prior to the invention of the refrigerator, thyme was even used to help keep meats from spoiling.
Other areas where thyme is beneficial includes:
Nail fungus
Parasites
Muslce pain
Chronic pain
Depression
Fatigue
Headache
Insomnia
Snoring
Skin problems
Kidney problems
Anxiety
Stress.
Both Hippocrates and Diocorides discussed the medicinal uses of thyme in their ancient writings. When using Thyme either as an oil or spice, moderation as in other food must be the rule because thyme is a powerful herb.
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