What are the health benefits of thyme tea? Thyme contains; It contains important vitamins and minerals such as vitamin K, calcium, iron and manganese. These features make it a herbal tea that has positive effects on health.
According to research, there are more than 400 varieties of thyme, which belongs to the Dead nettle plants family. Thyme tea is a herbal tea prepared by brewing fresh thyme branches or thyme flowers.
Thyme tea strengthens immunity
Experts say that, according to some studies conducted in a laboratory environment, thyme helps reduce blood pressure and is also a plant rich in antioxidants. According to scientific research, thyme contains important components with antibacterial properties. While thyme tea helps to relax the digestive system and relieve indigestion. It helps strengthen the immune system, relax the respiratory tract, control weight and reduce stress. Thanks to the antioxidants it contains, thyme tea also helps relieve symptoms related to skin problems such as acne and fungus.
Those with hypertension and diabetes should not consume thyme tea
Sharing that thyme tea has been consumed by many people since ancient times due to its pleasant smell and strong antioxidant properties, scientists said, “For some people, thyme tea consumption may be harmful. These people include people with chronic health problems such as hypertension and diabetes. These people use thyme tea.” Consuming the tea causes blood pressure or blood sugar to drop uncontrollably.
According to a research published in 2022, thyme has the feature of accelerating blood circulation. Especially those who use blood-thinning medications or those who will soon undergo a surgical operation, it is not recommended to consume thyme tea without consulting their doctor.
At the same time, some studies “It shows that thyme can act like estrogen in the body. Therefore, those who use hormone medication should also stay away from thyme consumption,” they declare.
Women who are pregnant should consult a doctor first
Specialist doctors say that during pregnancy, the fetus in the expectant mother’s womb benefits from the food and beverages consumed by the mother through the placenta. “In this process, both the beneficial nutrients consumed by the mother and the harmful foods reach the baby. Although there are not enough scientific studies on the consumption of thyme tea during pregnancy, pregnant women consume thyme and thyme tea.”
“They should consult their doctor before consuming. Additionally, some laboratory studies on thyme oil consumption show that thyme may cause miscarriage and premature birth in pregnant women,” studies shown.
How to prepare thyme tea?
Nutrition and diet experts suggest that a pinch of thyme and some hot water are sufficient for thyme tea. While making thyme tea, first half a liter of water is poured into a teapot and boiled. Approximately 1 teaspoon of dry or fresh thyme is taken into a glass and boiling water is added. It is left to brew, covered, for 10-15 minutes. After brewing, strain and consume. Optionally, a teaspoon of honey and lemon can be added.
Benefits you need to know about thyme:
Salt substitute: You can use fresh or dried thyme instead of salt when cooking. This can help you reduce the amount of salt you use; This is important if you are trying to lower high blood pressure.
Respiratory Support: Natural Cough Suppressant. Thyme has been used for years as a home remedy for coughs, respiratory ailments, and bronchitis. Complementary and alternative medicine has used it as a tea and in aromatherapy. There is some research on this, but more studies are needed to know how well it works.
In a small 2013 study[1], a nasal spray containing a thyme-based extract called thymol was tested in 18 healthy people with normal lung function. They used a nasal spray before and after inhaling some capsaicin, which naturally caused them to cough. They coughed less when they used thymol spray compared to saline or placebo spray. Larger studies are needed to check these results. Compounds in thyme (particularly thymol and carvacrol) may also help relieve chest congestion, and researchers suggested investigating whether thyme in amounts from food or tea could do this.
Antimicrobial properties: According to a research conducted in 2014[2], thyme essential oil and pure thymol (derived from thyme) can help disinfect mold. Thymol is the active ingredient of some pesticides. It has been shown to be approximately 3 times more effective than thyme essential oil in the study of mold.
Help with skin conditions: The anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties of thyme can also help with skin conditions. It can help get rid of bacterial infections while helping reduce inflammation. As a result, it can help relieve irritation and inflammation in conditions such as eczema and acne.[3]
Natural insect repellent: Oregano oil may help repel insects such as mosquitoes. Thymol, the oil in thyme, is often used as the active ingredient in insect repellents.
Gastrointestinal health: In experimental studies in rats, compounds from oregano oil helped protect the stomach lining from ulcers and increase the protective gastric mucus layers in your stomach that help protect the stomach lining from acid. However, since the effects of thyme on the digestive system have not been studied in humans, more research is needed on this subject.
The antimicrobial properties of thyme hold promise for the development of extracts to aid food safety.
Nutrients per serving:
A one-teaspoon serving of fresh thyme contains:
- Calories: 0.8
- Protein: 0 grams
- Fat: 0 grams
- Carbohydrates: 0.2 grams
- Fiber: 0.1 grams
Portion sizes and safety notice:
A serving of thyme is typically 2 tablespoons when fresh or 1 teaspoon when dried. Thyme is safe when used in normal amounts for cooking. Remember that essential oils are more concentrated and could have side effects. You should check with your doctor first, especially if you are pregnant or take medicine for high blood pressure or to help prevent blood clots.
If you are allergic to plants in the mint family, consult your doctor before using thyme. People who are allergic or sensitive to thyme can havenausea, diarrhea, or vomiting due to eating thyme or develop a skin rash if thyme gets on their skin.
References:
- Gavliakova S, Biringerova Z, Buday T, Brozmanova M, Calkovsky V, Poliacek I, Plevkova J. Antitussive effects of nasal thymol challenges in healthy volunteers. Respir Physiol Neurobiol. 2013 Jun 1;187(1):104-7. doi: 10.1016/j.resp.2013.02.011. Epub 2013 Feb 21. PMID: 23438788.
- Guesmi F, Ben Ali M, Barkaoui T, Tahri W, Mejri M, Ben-Attia M, Bellamine H, Landoulsi A. Effects of Thymus hirtus sp. algeriensis Boiss. et Reut. (Lamiaceae) essential oil on healing gastric ulcers according to sex. Lipids Health Dis. 2014 Aug 26;13:138. doi: 10.1186/1476-511X-13-138. PMID: 25159191; PMCID: PMC4176582.
- Health Benefits of Thyme Medically Reviewed by Kathleen M. Zelman, MPH, RD, LD on December 11, 2022 Written by WebMD Editorial Contributors