Garden Thyme or Thymus vulgaris is most widely cultivated in the US. This variety is most commonly used in herb gardens and nurseries. Other varieties of interest are Spanish thyme (T. zygis) and lemon thyme (T. x citriodora). Often used but less effective are wild thyme and African wild thyme. These other varieties have reduced thymol content and some even lack flavonoid content.
This report will be on Garden Thyme.
Features and Benefits (based on home remedies) of Thyme
The most important active agent in Thyme is the volatile thyme oil. Major constituents of thyme oil are 70% thymol. Other constituents of the oil are carvacrol, cineole and linalool. The herb also contains many vital flavonoids. These are the ploymethoxyflavones.
- Antifungal
- Strongly antibiotic
- Anti-spasmodic
- Getting rid of intestinal worms
- Flavoring agent
- Improve memory (act as antioxidant)
- Prophylaxis from Alzheimer’s disease
- Anti-inflammatory
- Antitussive, expectorant
- Treatment of minor wounds and skin abrasions
- Used in bath water for relief of itching skin
- Used to manage bedwetting both in children and adults. Thyme tea taken 2 hours before bedtime helps children with bladder control and bedwetting incidences
- Management of acne
- Prevent tooth decay
- Used in kitchens to flavor different dishes
- Used to purify drinking water. Makes water potable when water source is not so clean. A few sprigs of thyme are added to boiling water and kept in there when cooling down. This acts as antibacterial and adds a great flavor to water.
- Combat bad breath