Nutritionally, thyme is loaded with important vitamins and minerals — like iron, calcium, and potassium — which help produce red blood cells, balance blood pressure, and transport antioxidants throughout the body. It also provides folic acid and vitamins A, B, and C.
In addition, thyme contains potent bioflavonoids and essential oils such as thymol, a strong antioxidant.
It’s also considered helpful in cancer prevention due to its high levels of terpenoids like rosmarinic and ursolic acid. Some research even suggests that regular thyme consumption can boost DHA (an omega-3 fatty acid) levels in the brain, heart, and kidneys.
Because its essential oils work as expectorants and have antispasmodic effects on the bronchi, thyme is often used to treat and prevent:
- gingivitis
- laryngitis
- asthma
- sore throat
- throat infections
- bronchitis (acute and chronic)
- mouth inflammation
- and coughing
