When most people think of thyme leaves, they imagine a sprig infusing basting liquid with flavor or a tablespoon of dried leaves used to add complexity to a soup or stew. It's well known that thyme is good for cooking because of unique oils and compounds that produce its characteristic flavor. But less well known is thyme's usefulness in various medical applications.
Thyme is useful as medicine because of the same properties that make it delicious. The essential oils of thyme leaves have been studied thoroughly, and some of the findings may surprise you. In the linked study, thyme essential oils were tested for antibacterial properties in isolated bacterial colonies. In petri dish studies, thyme oil at various concentrations was remarkably effective at killing bacteria, even strains that have developed antibiotic resistance, like staphylococcus.
It's important to note that the above study indicates nothing about any specific thyme uses in human subjects. Activity in a petri dish doesn't always mean that the same activity will demonstrate itself within a living subject. However, the study does indicate that thyme is remarkably powerful in certain settings, and that many practical uses could be discovered and developed.
A more recent study of thyme uses and its internal compounds suggests one such practical application. Because of its effectiveness as an antimicrobial agent, thyme was used against common bacteria which cause food-borne illness. The results mirrored those of the previous study.
Thyme Uses: Medicinal Herb and Tasty Kitchen Spice
When most people think of thyme leaves, they imagine a sprig infusing basting liquid with flavor or a tablespoon of dried leaves used to add complexity to a soup or stew. It's well known that thyme is good for cooking because of unique oils and compounds that produce its characteristic flavor. But less well known is thyme's usefulness in various medical applications.
Thyme is useful as medicine because of the same properties that make it delicious. The essential oils of thyme leaves have been studied thoroughly, and some of the findings may surprise you. In the linked study, thyme essential oils were tested for antibacterial properties in isolated bacterial colonies. In petri dish studies, thyme oil at various concentrations was remarkably effective at killing bacteria, even strains that have developed antibiotic resistance, like staphylococcus.
It's important to note that the above study indicates nothing about any specific thyme uses in human subjects. Activity in a petri dish doesn't always mean that the same activity will demonstrate itself within a living subject. However, the study does indicate that thyme is remarkably powerful in certain settings, and that many practical uses could be discovered and developed.
A more recent study of thyme uses and its internal compounds suggests one such practical application. Because of its effectiveness as an antimicrobial agent, thyme was used against common bacteria which cause food-borne illness. The results mirrored those of the previous study.
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