health benefits of thyme

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here is one article on the health benefits of thyme: The name Thyme is a derivative of a Greek word meaning 'to fumigate'. It is said that the Greeks used Thyme as incense because it symbolized grace and elegance. Others derive the name from the Greek word thumus, which signifies courage.

Classified as T. vulgaris, thyme is a perennial herb cultivated in most countries with temperate climates. Thyme flourishes in Asia Minor, Algeria, Spain and other European countries bordering on the Mediterranean Sea.

There are three varieties of Thyme grown for use: broad-leaved, narrow-leaved and variegated. The most popular variety of Thyme is the narrow-leaved, which can be identified by its small, grayish-green leaves. Also known as Winter or German Thyme, narrow-leaved thyme is more aromatic than the broad-leaved variety.

Thyme has a long history of use in natural medicine in connection with chest and respiratory problems including coughs, bronchitis, and chest congestion. Recently, researchers have discovered important volatile oil components of thyme that bring about its healing effects. They are known to include carvacolo, borneol, geraniol, but most importantly, thymol.

Thymol is an antiseptic and disinfectant that prevents the occurrence of putrefaction. A small quantity of thymol added to albumen, milk, solutions of gum or gelatin, will preserve them for several months. Thymol has proven effective in the treatment of wounds, ulcers and abscesses, and is an invaluable disinfectant that is highly effective in disinfecting sick rooms.

Herbs and spices have been used for thousands of years to help preserve foods and protect them from microbial contamination. Now research shows that the volatile oil components of thyme have antimicrobial activity against a host of different bacteria and fungi including Staphalococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli and Shigella sonnei.

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In Japanese men, but not women, soy intake was associated with a mild reduction of blood pressure. Soy protein can improve blood flow and has a vasodilatory effect.

Thyme
Thyme has been used for various purposes throughout the centuries. In medieval times, thyme was regarded as a plant that imparted courage and vigor. The ancient Romans considered it a remedy for melancholy. Thyme, along with roses, was often added to homes in the ancient past to provide a sweet-smelling aroma. The ancient Greeks used thyme for incense while the Romans were known to add thyme to cheese and alcoholic beverages.


Exotic Names
There are about 350 species of thyme including the many cultivars. Since they readily hybridize in cultivation, their classification is quite complex. Many species are good garden plants, having a neat habit, fragrant foliage and small pink or lilac flowers. Although the flowers are small they are very numerous, and they produce copious nectar, making thyme flowers a favorite of the honey bee. Some of the finest-flavored honey comes from thyme nectar.

The thyme plants are perennials, belonging to the mint family, and exist in various shapes and colors. The plants can be erect and bushy, reaching 18 inches in height or creeping and spreading, growing to about 3 inches high. The flowers vary with many colors from white to mauve, lilac, magenta, blue-violet, and pale pink while leaf colors vary from light green to olive grey-green, golden green, dark green, silver, or bronze-tinted.

All these differences give rise to a variety of exotic names for the various cultivars such as Golden King, Silver Queen, Archer's Gold, Rainbow Falls, Pink Ripple, Goldstream, Lemon Curd, Silver Posie, and Highland Cream. The leaves have unique aromas providing a variety of odors such as pine scent, a camphor-like scent, caraway scent, lemon, orange, tangerine, celery, or a eucalyptus-like scent. The unique aromas and flavors of the various thyme plants are the result of subtle differences in the terpenoid composition of the essential oil they contain.

Thyme is one of the most fragrant and pleasant greenery's to have growing in your garden. Their small size makes them ideally suited to crevices in paving, rock gardens, and containers. They thrive in stony or rocky situations and loves plenty of sunshine. They can be used in the garden to deter beetles and other cabbage pests. For healthier growth it is important to trim them after flowering and also remove the dead flowers. Sprigs can be picked during the growing season and used fresh or dried.
Culinary Use
The most commonly used thymes for culinary purposes are the common thyme (Thymus vulgaris) and lemon thyme (T. x citriodorus), while the most commonly used medicinal thymes are common thyme, Spanish thyme (T. zygis), and creeping thyme (T. serpyllum). They are all native to southern Europe and Western Asia, but they are now cultivated commercially in many parts of the world. Much of the commercial thyme comes from Spain, which has 37 varieties of thyme.

The fresh or dried leaves of thyme as well as the flowering tops are widely used to flavor soups, stews, baked or sauteed vegetables, casseroles, and custards. Thyme provides a warm tangy flavor, somewhat like camphor, and can retain its flavor in slowly cooked dishes. Thyme is also used in marinades (especially for olives), and in stuffings. The leaves can also be used in potpourris and moth-repellent sachets.

The essential oil of thyme can be used not only to flavor foods, but is also added to soaps, toothpastes, cosmetics, perfumes, and antiseptic ointments. The oil is used in aromatherapy to relieve pain and elevate mood. In addition, it may have a calming effect in stress-related conditions. Thyme baths have been used to help relieve aches and joint pains.
Therapeutic Use
Thyme contains an essential oil that is rich in thymol, a powerful antiseptic, antibacterial, and a strong antioxidant. The oil of thyme is used in mouthwashes to treat inflammations of the mouth, and throat infections. It is a common component of cough drops.

Because of its essential oil, thyme possesses expectorant and bronchial antispasmodic properties, making it useful in the treatment of acute and chronic bronchitis, whooping cough, and inflammation of the upper respiratory tract. Thyme enhances the action of the cilia in the bronchi and directly acts on the bronchial mucosa. The terpenoids are responsible for the expectorant activity of thyme while a variety of flavonoids are responsible for the spasmolytic effect of thyme on the bronchioles.

All the members of the mint family, including thyme, possess terpenoids which are recognized for their cancer preventive properties. Rosmarinic and ursolic acids are major terpenoids in thyme that possess anti-cancer properties.

A tea can be made by adding one teaspoon of crushed thyme in half cup of boiling water, letting it steep for 10 mins and then straining. The tea can be drunk 3 to 4 times a day for the treatment of coughs. The tea may be sweetened with honey, which also acts as a demulcent, thereby increasing the tea's effectiveness.
Safety
Thyme is entirely safe to use and has no side effects. However, the essential oil of thyme may be irritating to the skin and mucous membranes, and may cause an allergic reaction. Some varieties produce a stronger reaction than others. Medicinal doses of thyme and especially thyme oil are not recommended during pregnancy as thyme can act as a uterine stimulant.

Author: Winston Craig, MPH, PhD, RD.

(LC)