Thyme is an herb in the mint family and a staple ingredient in cooking. It may also offer a range of health benefits, including fighting acne, regulating mucus secretion, and combating inflammation.
Studies have shown that consuming thyme (Thymus vulgaris) has positive effects on heart health, thanks to its strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, which help manage risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Key benefits include lowering blood pressure, improving blood lipid levels (reducing cholesterol), and reducing heart rate in cases of hypertension.
The benefits of thyme are not limited to culinary use; it is also used in teas, syrups, baths, inhalations, tinctures, and essential oils.
Key cardiovascular benefits
Lowering blood pressure:
Thymus linearis Benth. is a species of thyme that grows in Pakistan and Afghanistan. A reliable 2014 study found that its extract significantly reduced heart rate in hypertensive rats and also lowered their cholesterol levels, according to the health website Healthline.
Studies indicate that thyme can significantly reduce both systolic and diastolic blood pressure in people with hypertension. Compounds such as thymol and carvacrol in thyme act as natural inhibitors of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), helping relax constricted arteries and improve circulation.
Antioxidant effects:
Terpenoids in thyme have strong antioxidant properties that help protect healthy cells from damage caused by free radicals. This supports vascular health and helps prevent cardiovascular diseases such as heart attacks, atherosclerosis, and strokes.
Terpenoids also protect fat cells from oxidation, helping lower levels of “bad” cholesterol (LDL) and raise levels of “good” cholesterol (HDL) in the blood.
Improving blood lipid levels:
Thyme consumption is associated with lower total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and triglycerides, while often increasing HDL cholesterol.
Regulating heart rate:
Research on wild thyme (Thymus serpyllum) suggests it may help regulate high blood pressure and reduce vascular resistance.
Other benefits of thyme
Reducing anxiety and stress:
Some studies suggest that thyme essential oils, particularly limonene, carvacrol, and linalool, may help reduce anxiety and stress by enhancing the activity of neurotransmitters such as gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the brain. This may promote relaxation and a sense of calm while reducing tension and nervousness.
Treating acne:
Thyme, particularly its essential oil, contains thymol, an organic compound with antiseptic, disinfectant, and antimicrobial properties. These properties make it useful in treating acne and other skin conditions such as dermatitis.
Maintaining oral health:
Thyme contains thymol, which supports dental and gum health. It helps prevent the growth and spread of bacteria responsible for tooth decay and gum disease, including Streptococcus mutans, Staphylococcus aureus, and Escherichia coli.
Fighting fungal infections:
Both thymol and limonene, found in thyme essential oil, have strong antifungal properties that help combat infections caused by fungi such as Candida albicans, which commonly affects the skin and nails.
In addition, thyme may help fight infections caused by Cryptococcus neoformans, a fungus found in soil and bird droppings that can be transmitted to humans through inhalation. It can cause cryptococcosis, a disease affecting the lungs and nervous system, and may lead to pneumonia or meningitis.
Supporting Alzheimer’s disease treatment:
Thymol, a compound found in thyme, may help in Alzheimer’s disease by inhibiting cholinesterase, an enzyme that breaks down acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter essential for memory and learning and found at reduced levels in Alzheimer’s patients.
Thymol also has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, which may help reduce inflammation and protect the nervous system from free radical damage, potentially supporting Alzheimer’s treatment. However, further human studies are still needed to confirm these effects.
Helping fight cancer:
Thyme contains high levels of thymol and carvacrol, compounds with antitumor properties that may help inhibit the growth of cancer cells and promote their death. These properties suggest thyme may help combat cancers such as breast, intestinal, cervical, liver, and lung cancers. However, more human studies are needed to confirm thyme’s potential anti-cancer benefits.
