Health Benefits of Thyme, Uses And Its Side Effects

Thyme is an aromatic perennial evergreen herb, which belongs to the genus Thymus of the mint family, and it produces small white, lilac or pink flowers.

There are over 350 species of thyme, which is mainly due to the fact that they hybridize very easily. Thyme can be either low-growing or busy, and the colors of their leaves can vary from pale green shades to shades of deeper green and olive, as well as bronze, or even silver.

Thyme herb rich in phytonutrients, vitamins and minerals which are essential for overall growth and wellness of the body. Thyme contains thymol, a very important essential oil that has anti-fungal and antiseptic properties. Thyme also contains phenolic antioxidants like zeaxanthin, lutein, apigenin, naringenin, luteolin, and thymonin.

Thyme leaves are rich in potassium, calcium, iron, manganese, selenium and magnesium – all of which are essential for normal body functions. Thyme herb is also a good source of vitamins, especially B-complex vitamins, and vitamin-K, vitamin-C, and folic acid.

Let check out the best health benefits of Thyme. This amazing herb holds antibacterial and antifungal properties and various products available in the market contain an amount of thyme herb. After checking out the nutritional benefits of thyme, let's check out some medicinal properties of it.

Fresh thyme leaves are mostly used for cooking purposes, as well as for making teas. Thyme is also often used for protection against insects by placing the thyme leaves between layers of linen, to prevent the fabric from insect attacks. Thyme oil has a wide range of uses, for example, as an ingredient in deodorants and scented soaps.

Thyme works very well as an antiseptic, and has also often been used in meat and vegetable preservation. While the fresh leaves of thyme are edible, the essential oil that is extracted from it is not, and when used on the skin, it should always be diluted with a carrier oil, or water.

For medicinal purposes, thyme is used in the prevention and treatment of diseases such as diarrhea, stomach ache, colic, sore throat, whooping cough and arthritis. It is also often used as a diuretic.

Similar to other herbs, thyme has a few side effects too. Thyme contains compounds such as thymol and carvacrol which can cause irritation of the mucuous membranes in people who are sensitive.

There are no established evidences that prove the safety of this herb on pregnant and breastfeeding women, there are no contraindications also. However, since thyme has been a time proven remedy to induce menstruation, there are chances that pregnant women might be at the risk of miscarriage.

Thyme herb should not be administered to children below the age of 10. People on anti-thyroid and thyroid replacement medications should avoid using thyme as it is known to inversely react with these medications, hindering their functions.

Thyme is native to the western Mediterranean area, but is now widely cultivated throughout temperate climates. Thyme was extensively used by the early Greeks. For the Greeks, thyme represented style and elegance.

In the Middle Ages, it represented chivalry. In France, it represented the Republican spirit. It was used as flavoring in liquors and cheese. It was used medicinally to treat epilepsy, melancholy, the plague, and as an antiseptic on the battlefield in World War I.

Thyme is best cultivated in a hot, sunny location with well-drained soil. It is generally planted in the spring, and thereafter grows as a perennial. It can be propagated by seed, cuttings, or dividing rooted sections of the plant. It tolerates drought well. The plants can take deep freezes and are found growing wild on mountain highlands.