Thyme: 27 health benefits and reasons to use it for good health

Some of the health benefits of thyme include- anti-cancer, anti-tumor, helps to prevent against respiratory issues, boost immune system, eye health, heart health, super food for brain, prevent fungal infections, improve heart health, and relieve stress.

Nutritional value of Thyme

Thyme  an herb with culinary, medicinal and ornamental uses also known as Kelkouli Rédha (French), Dymián (Czech), Banajwain (Hindi), Thottathulasi (Malayalam), Marizha, Masho, Rangsbur (Punjabi), Hasha, Pudina-sahai, Bagichi, Ayak (Urdu) in many households.

Its leaves can be brewed into a healthy tea or a decoction.  A 100 gm of thyme has about 101 calories. It is rich in proteins, water, Dietary Fiber, Omega-3 Fatty Acids, Omega-6 Fatty Acids, Vitamins( Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Thiamin, Riboflavin, Niacin, Vitamin B6, Folate, Pantothenic Acid) and Minerals ( Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium, Sodium, Zinc, Copper, Manganese).Reasons to eat thyme herb

Health Benefits of Thyme

1. Anti-bacterial

The antibacterial property of thyme makes it an excellent remedy for a variety of yeast, fungal and bacterial infections. Ointments containing thymol are applied externally for bringing relief to insect bites and other skin wounds

2. Anti-microbial

Thyme contains a number of phenolic compounds like carvacrol and thymol, which makes it an effective anti-microbial agent. It helps to protect against various genera of bacteria including animal and plant pathogens, food poisoning and spoilage bacteria.

3. Anti-fungal

Thyme has strong anti-fungal properties, that helps to prevent disease against food-borne bacteria and fungi.

4. Anti-tumor

Thyme contains carvacrol as the major component has an important in vitro cytotoxic activity against tumor cells resistant to chemotherapy as well as a significant antitumor effect.

5. Anti-cancer

Studies has found, wild thyme has an effective anticancer activity. It helps to kill breast cancer cells. In other study, the essential oil of thyme helps to kill human ovarian cancer cell resistant to chemotherapy. Another study has shown, carvacrol compound present in thymus is very potent inhibitor of cell growth in lung cancer.

6. Anti-oxidants

Thyme contains large amount of polyphenols, which makes it strong and effective antioxidant. It has strong protective effect on cells protecting from oxidation damage.

7. Prevent herpes infection

Studies has shown, thyme has  antiviral effect on free Herpes simplex virus (HSV) and offer a chance to use them for topical therapeutic application against recurrent HERPES infections.

8. Protection against yeast or candida infections

Thyme has potential antibacterial, antifungal, insecticial, analgesic and antioxidant activities which helps to inhibit multi-resistant strains of bacteria and yeast infections.

9. Effective tropical sore remedy

Studies has found, thyme as effective treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis , which is also known as  oriental sore, tropical sore or chiclero ulcer. This is an infectious skin disease that is naturally transmissible from vertebrate animals to humans, caused by  the bite of single-celled parasite.

10. Useful in respiratory diseases

Thyme is an effective remedy for many respiratory disease, which is highly useful for treating acute and chronic bronchitis, sore throats, whooping cough, asthma, laryngitis and inflammation of the upper respiratory tract.