Thyme is a precious herb from the mint family. It is very popular in aromatherapy since it possesses numerous healing properties. It is also widely used as a culinary herb due to its distinctive taste.
It has been used since ancient times for different purposes.
The Romans grew thyme for bee culture, the purification of rooms and to add flavor to liqueurs and cheese.
- Ancient Greek temples were scented with thyme incense and Egyptians favored the fragrant plant for embalming.
- Valiant knights were given thyme for courage in the Middle ages and sprigs were placed in bedrooms and under pillows to ward off depression.
Long before the discovery of modern medicine, crushed thyme was placed on bandages to promote wound healing and ward off infection.
The medicinal properties of thyme come mainly from its essential oils which are extracted through steam distillation of fresh flowers and leaves.
There are at least 20 health benefits of thyme oil and we will share some of them.
Studies have shown that wild thyme induces cell death in the breast cancer cells, and thyme essential oil has also proven successful in treating oral and ovarian cancer. A study found that extracts of Mastic Thyne (Thymus mastichina L.) may protect from colon cancers.
The same Caryophyllene and Camphene, along with a few other components, give thyme essential oil antibacterial properties. Thyme essential oil inhibits bacterial growth within and outside of the body. It kills bacteria as well as keeps them away from the organs in the body. This is particularly beneficial in curing bacterial infections like B-Colitis, renal colic, bacterial infections in the genitals and urethra, intestines, and respiratory system as well as the external exposure of wounds.
There are two main reasons behind rheumatism, arthritis and gout. The first is improper or obstructed circulation, and the second one is an increasing concentration of toxins like uric acid in the blood stream. Thyme essential oil can sort out both of these problems. Since it is a diuretic, it increases urination and helps in the removal of toxins from the body. Being a stimulant, it stimulates or activates circulation and thereby sorts out this problem in a separate way. Both ways helps cure rheumatism, and related conditions like arthritis.
Thyme essential oil also tones up the circulatory system, heart, digestive system, nervous system, muscles, and skin while fortifying them and boosting immunity.
This is a very important and useful property of thyme essential oil in today’s context, when heart troubles are growing at an alarming rate. This oil is very beneficial for the heart. It keeps the valves functioning properly, while being an anti spasmodic, it relaxes the arteries and veins and thereby reduces blood pressure and stress on the heart. Furthermore, it strengthens cardiac muscles and tones up the heart, since it is a tonic. Basically, thyme essential oil is good for every part of heart health.
Thyme essential oils force the removal of unpleasant gases that build up in the stomach and intestines and does not let them build up again.
Those who are suffering from an accumulation of water in the body due to chronic renal failure or from growing concentration of toxins and salts in the blood are sure to benefit from this essential oil. It increases urination and helps in the removal of excess water, salts and toxins from the body.
The essential oil stimulates the production of certain hormones like estrogen, thus giving women relief from obstructed and painful menstruation, irregular periods and premature menopause..
This is a tremendous property of thyme essential oil. This property makes scars and other ugly spots on your body vanish. These include the surgical marks, marks left by accidental injuries, acne, pox, measles, and sores.
When you are suffering from colds and coughs, you need to find an expectorant. Thyme essential oil is a great one! It helps cure infections that cause cough and cold and drains congestion, thereby giving relief from coughs and colds.
It can keep away insects and pests and also eliminate them if it becomes necessary. It can be effectively used to keep away parasites that feed on the human body like mosquitoes, fleas, lice, bed-bugs, and flies, as well as insects that attack food grains and clothes like beetles and moths.
It stimulates circulation, digestion, nervous responses and the secretion of hormones, thereby stimulating the whole metabolism.
The fungus Candida albicans is a common cause of mouth and vaginal yeast infections. Often referred to as “thrush”, vaginal yeast infections are generally recurring. Researchers at the University of Turin in Italy set out to determine what effect thyme essential oil might have on Candida albicans in the human body. The team reported in the journal Planta Medica that thyme essential oil significantly enhanced intracellular killing of C. albicans.
How To Make Thyme Tea
- Thyme (dried or a handful of fresh)
- A covered container for brewing & straining
1) Put some herbs in your brewing container – about 1 tsp dried herbs per cup of water. For fresh herbs, use more.
2) Pour over water that’s just off the boil.
3) Cover and infuse for about 5 minutes.
4) Strain and serve