While thyme is an evergreen herb that is used a lot in cooking, you might not know the numerous health benefits it has. Thyme is known to be low in calories. It also contains a good amount of vitamin C, iron, manganese, fibre and copper.
Let’s go over the 10 unexpected health benefits of thyme, and why it’s a good idea to grow it in your garden.
10 Health Benefits of Thyme
1. Glowing Healthy Skin
Thyme is also known to improve skin. It increases omega-3 fatty acids in the brain that help maintains healthy cells which result in slowing down the aging process. Thyme also happens to have natural anti-inflammatory properties that make it ideal for curing acne and severe skin conditions.
2. Say Good-Bye to Sore Throat
Thyme oil is one of the top essential oils that are used to cure a sore throat. Its carvacrol content makes it extremely beneficial to fight off this medical condition as it’s one of the strongest natural antimicrobials. So, if you happen to be suffering from sore throat, drinking thyme-leaf tea can serve as a cure.
3. Reduces Risk of Food Poisoning
Studies have shown that thyme has natural properties that make it an ideal herbal cure for food poisoning. By adding thyme to your regular diet, you can reduce the risk of food poisoning due to its antimicrobial properties.
4. Keeps Cholesterol and Blood Pressure Under Control
High blood pressure and cholesterol can lead to major health issues including stroke and heart attack. Thyme’s antihypertensive properties make it an ideal natural choice to prevent high blood pressure whereas it also lowers bad cholesterol levels.
5. Cures Bronchitis
Thyme has been used to cure a cough and bronchitis for decades. If you don’t like taking commercial medication, drink thyme tea. You can make one by mixing two teaspoons of crushed leaves in a single cup of boiling water to cure bronchitis.
6. Fights Cancer
There are a lot of natural chemicals in thyme that are thought to fight cancer, mainly carvacrol. Carvacrol is considered to possess anti-tumour properties, and it happens to be a major component of thyme.
7. Boosts Mood
Thyme increases dopamine and serotonin levels in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus. These neurotransmitters are known to boost mood. Feeling a bit under the weather? A cup of thyme-leaf tea can help you feel well.
8. Improves DCD
Thyme oil can be used to treat children with dyspraxia or Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD). It can be combined with some other essential oils and vitamin E to show promising results in people who’re suffering from this condition.
9. Stronger Bones
Thyme contains vitamin K, iron, manganese and other essential nutrients that make it ideal for people who wish to improve their bone health. The components of this herb aid in bone growth.
10. Impressive Oral Health
Thyme has some amazing properties that allow it to improve your mouth’s health, preventing certain oral diseases including dental decay, plaque formation, sore throat, mouth sores, laryngitis, tonsillitis and bad breath. This is why thyme is used as an ingredient in different mouthwashes, toothpaste, etc.
I hope you enjoyed reading about the 10 unexpected health benefits of thyme. Some of you might even want to grow it yourself too.
Keep in mind that when you get rid of weeds, you should be careful and not pull out the growing thyme by accident. Feel free to share this article and don’t hesitate to leave your comments or ask any questions.
