Thyme Health Benefits, Nutrition and Herb Facts

Health Benefits of Eating Thyme Herb

Thyme is rich in flavonoid and phenolic antioxidants which include luteolin, lutein, naringenin, pigenin, thymonin and zeaxanthin. The herb contains among the highest antioxidant compared to other herbs. It has an ORAC value of 27,400 umol TE / 100 g.

Fresh thyme has an abundant amount of thymol, a beneficial volatile oil that has clinically been proven to be antiseptic and anti-fungal. Some other essential oils in the herb include borneol, geraniol and carvacolo.

Thyme leaf is an excellent source of many types of vitamins including vitamin A, beta carotene, B-complex vitamins, vitamin C, vitamin E and vitamin K.

Vitamin A is one of the antioxidant vitamins that is essential to keep healthy skin and mucus membranes and to maintain healthy vision. Eating of flavonoid-rich foods such as beta carotene and retinol helps prevent oral cavity and lung cancers.

Thyme offers 0.35 mg of pyridoxine (vitamin B6) per gram; supplying 27% of RDA. Vitamin B6 maintains GABA levels in human brain that helps to eliminate stress.

Vitamin C builds body resistance to protect us from infectious agents and harmful free radicals.

Thyme contains a good deal of minerals that are important for perfect health. The herb is rich in calcium, iron, potassium, manganese, selenium and magnesium. Potassium is an essential element of that is useful for managing blood pressure and heart rate, while Manganese often function as a co-factor for superoxide dismutase enzyme, a beneficial antioxidant enzyme. Iron, on the other hand is needed for formation of red blood cell.

Thyme oil is antiseptic, antibacterial and anti-fungal. When inhaled, it helps relieve common cold and influenza as well as increase one's appetite.

Facts about Thyme Herb

One of the favorites among culinary herb, thyme (scientific name Thymus vulgaris) is native to Mediterranean regions and southern Europe. It carries a lemony flavor which blends perfectly with vegetables, fish, poultry, meats, sauces and stuffing, and comes in both dried and fresh form at the markets. The herb can be planted in a windowsill garden easily, as it prefers partial to full sun with dry soil. Besides being used to prepare foods, thyme is also good to make fragrant ground cover for your garden, because the plant is known for creeping growth and can spread really fast.

Types of Thymes

You can find more than one hundred varieties of different thyme, with the most prevalent being Lemon Thyme and Garden Thyme. They are very similar in appearance, thus not easy to distinguish them.

Thyme Nutrition Facts and Calories

Nutritional Value of 1 g Dried Thyme
Calories	3 kcal
Total Fat	0 g
Cholesterol	0 mg
Sodium	1 mg
Total Carbohydrates	1 g
Dietary Fiber	0 g
Sugars	0 g
Protein	0 g

Thyme Recipe

Thyme Tea

Make: 2 cups

Ingredients:
1 teaspoon dried thyme leaves (or 2 tsp fresh thyme leaves)
2 cups boiled water.

Preparation:
Pour the water into the thyme leaves and allow to steep for 5 minutes. Serve warm.

Thyme Side Effects

Thyme can be quite strong for some people to apply externally, so please take caution. Certain individuals have shown allergy to the volatile oil, so it is best to conduct patch tests before use. The herb is usually advised by herbalist to help children, but it really mustn't be given to children except if it is recommended by a specialist. Even though it remains safe and secure to make thyme a seasoning when pregnant, large amounts have to be avoided as it is a definite uterine stimulant.