Thyme (Thymus vulgaris) is an evergreen shrub that belongs to the mint family. Thyme originates in the western Mediterranean and Southern Italy. It has a pungent-bitter aromatic taste and smell and it is widely used as a spice in our home kitchen. It is a plant with a very high safety profile and is very popular for use among herbalists due to its many medicinal properties. Thyme has a wide effect on many systems in the body including the respiratory system, skin, digestion, and nervous system. Studies of recent years have even identified a promising anti-cancer effect of the plant, and research in this area is still ongoing. The healing properties of Thyme are found in its aromatic oils Thymol and Carvacrol. These active ingredients have a strong antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effect. Due to these powerful compounds, Thyme is considered one of the most powerful antiseptic plants in herbal medicine. From my experience, it is a great herb to use as part of treating infectious and inflammatory conditions in the digestive system.
Thyme has a soothing effect in cases of inflammation and ulcers of the gastrointestinal tract. Its active ingredients which were mentioned earlier have a calming, healing, pain-relieving, and antioxidant effect on the damaged and inflamed tissue. The aromatic taste and carminative quality of the Thyme improve digestive and absorption processes and alleviate heaviness and bloating after meals, while gently increasing bowel activity and relieving cramps. Thyme infusion (alone or in combination with other herbs) is a great way to support the digestive system after a meal. Also, Thyme essential oil which is extracted from the herb has a calming and relaxing effect on the nervous system. Using it on a burner or applying it to the body is an excellent way for reducing stress and anxiety levels.
Thymol and Carvacrol have been found to be able to fight a wide range of contaminants including Helicobacter Pylori bacteria, fungi, parasites, amoebas, and worms. In fact, Thyme is one of the most effective plants against Sibo - an overgrowth of bacteria in the small intestine, which causes a wide range of severe disorders in the digestive system, such as bloating, gas, abdominal pain, changes in bowel movements and many other disturbing symptoms. Thyme has the ability to affect the balance of bacteria in the gut, and improve the condition of the good bacteria while destroying the harmful bacteria in the small intestine.
A fascinating study examining the effect of taking Thyme extract for 8 weeks on 60 participants dealing with Sibo, found that participants treated with Thyme felt significant relief in their symptoms compared to the group receiving placebo. The researchers concluded that Thyme is a very effective herb for treating Sibo.
My goal is to increase the awareness of the tremendous ability of medical herbs to help with a variety of chronic gastrointestinal disorders and infections. However, before starting to take natural herbs or supplements, you should always consult a Naturopath or a Clinical herbalist and of course your physician.
Here are my favorite Thyme products from Iherb:
Resources:
ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry and pharmacological aspects of Thymus vulgaris Linn.
Heliyon [Internet]. 2021 May [cited 2022 Jun 27];7(5):e07054. Available from:
Tabak, M et al(1996) In vitro inhibition of Helicobacter Pylori by extracts of Thyme J Apple Bacterion 672-667(6)80
Dalleau, S et al (2008) In vitro activity of tarpenes against Candida biofilms Int J Antimicrob Agents 576-572 (6) 31.
Behnia M et al (2008) Inhibitory effects of Iranian Thymus vulgaris extracts on in vitro growth of Entaomeba hystolityca Korean Parasitol 156-153 (3) 46
Taherian A.A et al (2009) Antinociceptive effects of hydroalcoholic extract of Thymus vulgaris. Pak.J Pharm Aci 89-83(1)22