Introduction
Thyme (Thymus vulgaris L. of Family- Lamiaceae), is native to Southern Europe, particularly around Mediterranian, and widely produced in Spain, Portugal, France, Germany, Italy, Morocco, Canada, and the United States. Other members of the Lamiaceae family are oregano, sage, and spearmint.
Uses
The main uses of Thyme are as a dried herb for its aroma. It can also be used as a flavoring agent for food, ice cream, meat, butter, liqueurs, and candy production. Other active ingredients used in topical ointments are various soaps, toothpaste, shampoos, deodorants, and mouthwashes (1).
Common Names
Common thyme, common garden thyme, English thyme, farigola, folia thymi. Thyme in Spanish is known as tomillo.
Nutritional value of Thyme
Thyme contains several important nutrients such as protein, fat, crude fiber, Ca, K, Na, Fe, P, vitamin A, B, and vitamin C. The main constituent of the oil extracted from thyme is thymol which covers the major thyme benefits. According to USDA nutrient value of thyme per 100 g is as follows (2).
| Compound | Amounts per 100 g. |
| Water | 65.11 g |
| Energy | 101 Kcal |
| Protein | 5.56 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 1.68 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 24.45 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 14 g |
| Calcium | 405 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 17.45 mg |
| Magnesium | 160 mg |
| Phosphorus | 106 mg |
| Potassium | 609 mg |
| Sodium | 9 mg |
| Zinc | 1.81 mg |
| Copper | 0.55 mg |
| Manganese | 1.72 mg |
| Vitamin C | 160 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.05 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.47 mg |
| Niacin | 1.82 mg |
| Pantothenic acid | 0.41mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.35 mg |
| Folate, DFE | 45 µg |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 238 µg |
| Vitamin A | 4751 IU |
| Carotene, beta | 2851 µg |
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 0.47 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 0.08 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 0.53 g |
Health Benefits of Thyme
Thyme shows various pharmacological properties such as antihelminthic, expectorant, antiseptic, antispasmodic, antimicrobial, antifungal, antioxidative, antivirotic, carminative, sedative, and diaphoretic effects. Let us look at some properties of thyme benefits for health
1. Antioxidant properties of Thyme
Thyme leaves contain a high amount of rosmarinic acid that has free radical scavenging ability which fights against various diseases and prevents DNA damage caused by different stress (3,4).
2. Thyme can treat anxiety
Thyme extract contains linalool and linalyl acetate which has a sedative effect and decreases the level of anxiety (5).
3. Antimicrobial properties of Thyme
Flavone glucuronides and rosmarinic acid derivatives from thyme are active against Campylobacter jejuni by preventing bacterial adhesion (6). Furthermore, thyme is also effective against Bacillus subtilis Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Streptococcus pyogenes, Corynebacterium species, Salmonella species, Bacteroides fragilisand Candida albicans (7,8).
4. Treat cold and cough
Intake of a combination of thyme and ivy leaves (thyme-ivy combination) reduces cough by about 50% in 9 to 11 days thus treating acute bronchitis (9). Moreover, thyme herb with primrose root is beneficial to reduce acute bronchitis in 7-9 days in children. Therefore, thyme is helpful to treat coughs and upper respiratory congestion (10).
5. Treat radiation-induced oral mucositis
Oral rinse with thyme honey (20 ml) which is obtained from thyme is diluted in water (100 ml) in the oral cavity to protect from oral mucositis caused by radiotherapy in head and neck cancer (11). Moreover, sage tea-thyme-peppermint hydrosol gargle may help to alleviate oral mucositis (12).
6. Treat respiratory disorder
Thyme extract is effective in treating chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) by increasing mucociliary-beating frequency thus alleviating blocking airflow and making it easy to breathe (13).
7. Treat neurodegenerative diseases
Thyme contains para-cymene which is helpful in treating cholinergic dysfunction such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and Huntington’s diseases (14).
8. Antispasmodic properties of Thyme
It is a rich source of thymol and carvacrol which relaxes the smooth muscle and suppresses muscle spasms (15).
9. Prevents blood clotting
Daily intake of rosemary and thyme prevents the formation of a blood clot due to inhibition of platelets and stimulation of endothelial cells (16).
Side effects of Thyme
Thyme is generally recognized as having safe status” (GRAS) status in the United States in foods (low amount).
1. Recommended dose
It is often recommended not to exceed oral doses of 10 g dried leaf containing 0.03% phenol (calculated as thymol) per day.
2. Allergy
Furthermore, people who are allergic or show hypersensitivity to the Lamiaceae (mint) family should also stay away from medicines, cosmetics, nutraceuticals, and functional foods based on thyme or their constituents (17).