9 Health Benefits of Thyme
Thyme, an herb native to the Mediterranean but now grown over most of the world, has been used for thousands of years as a medicine, an antidote for the Plague and in embalming preparations. And while it’s unlikely that thyme stopped the plague, modern research has proven that thyme does indeed combat infection. One study from 2010 suggests that thymol, the active ingredient in thyme, can reduce bacterial resistance to common drugs, including penicillin. A member of the mint family, thyme has long been used in Mediterranean cuisines for its sharp minty flavor as well as its medicinal properties.
The health benefits of thyme:
- antimicrobial
- antifungal
- lowers blood pressure
- lowers cholesterol
- acne/skin treatment
- immune system booster
- relieves coughing/bronchitis
- natural insecticide
- mood enhancer
In addition to fighting bacteria and fungal infections, carvicrol, one of the active ingredients in thyme, has been shown to affect neuron activity in ways that boosted the subjects’ feelings of well-being. Thyme can be used in a variety of ways. While the whole leaves and woody stems can be used in cooking, it can also be made into a tea, an infusion, or into an oil. As an oil, thyme can be added to water or other oils and used as a natural insecticide, and has proven effective against mosquitoes. Diluted with water, thyme makes a soothing facewash and aids in the treatment of acne and other skin infections.
But you don’t have to have an ailment to gain the benefits of thyme. Simply adding it as a flavoring to your meals can confer immune boosting properties, as thyme is loaded with vitamins C and A – and it’s delicious, too!
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