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Thyme herb nutrition facts

Thyme herb is packed with numerous health benefiting phyto-nutrients (plant derived compounds), minerals and vitamins that are essential for wellbeing. One of the popular among culinary herb plants, thyme originally is native to southern Europe and Mediterranean regions.

Botanically, it belongs to the family of limiaceae of the genus of thymus which contains many subspecies among which the most popular variety is Thymus vulgaris or French thyme. 

French thyme - Thymus vulgaris	Lemon thyme - (T.x citriodora) Photo courtesy: wnbrgr

The thyme plant  is perennial shrub with thin woody base and squate stems. It reaches about 15 to 30 cm in length, featuring very small, light green colored, paler underneath, slightly curved aromatic leaves. Small, frangrant rich, lilac or white color flowers appear in summer. 

The other commonly grown varieties of thyme are lemon thyme (T.x citriodora), caraway thyme (T. herba barona) and wild thyme (T. septyllum).  Both leaves as well as flowering tips, fresh or dried used for culinary purposes.

Health benefits of thyme

• Thyme contains many active principles that are found to have disease preventing and health promoting properties.

• Thyme herb contains thymol, one of the important essential oils which scientificaly have been found to have antiseptic, anti-fungal characteristics. The other volatile oils in thyme include carvacolo, borneol and geraniol.

• Thyme contains many flavonoid antioxidants like zeaxanthin, lutein, pigenin, naringenin, luteolin, and thymonin.

• Thyme is packed with minerals and vitamins that are essential for optimum health. Its leaves are one of the richest sources of potassium, iron, calcium, manganese, magnesium, and selenium. Potassium in an important component of cell and body fluids that helps controlling heart rate and blood pressure. Manganese is used by the body as a co-factor for the antioxidant enzyme superoxide dismutase. Iron is required for red blood cell formation.

• The herb is also a rich source of many important vitamins such as B-complex vitamins, beta carotene, vitamin A, vitamin K, vitamin E, vitamin C and folic acid.

• Thyme provides 0.35 mg of vitamin B-6 or pyridoxine; furnishing about 27% of DRI. Pyridoxine keeps up GABA (soothening neurotransmitter) levels in the brain which has stress buster function.

• Vitamin C helps body develop resistance against infectious agents and scavenge harmful, pro-inflammatory free radicals.

• Vitamin A is a fat soluble vitamin and antioxidant that is required maintaining healthy mucus membranes and skin and is also essential for vision. Consumption of natural foods rich in flavonoids like vitamin A and beta-carotene helps protect from lung and oral cavity cancers.

Selection and storage

Both fresh and dried forms of thyme herb are available in the herb store. Buy fresh thyme whenever possible since it is superior in nutrients and rich in flavor. The leaves of fresh thyme should feature fresh and be a light green in color, and free from any dark spots or yellowing.

Fresh thyme should be stored in the refrigerator wrapped in a slightly damp paper towel. Dried thyme can be kept in a tightly sealed glass container and stored in a cool, dark and dry place where it will keep fresh for up to six months.

Medicinal uses

• Thyme contains many important essential oils which are found to have anti-septic and anti-fungal applications.

• Throat gargling with tepid thyme water can help relieve sore throat and bronchitis symptoms

• Thyme based formulations has been used as anti-septic mouthwash in the treatment of caries and gingivitis.

Culinary uses

In order to keep the fragrance and flavor intact, thyme herb is generally added at the last moment in the cooking recipes.  This is because, prolonged cooking results in evaporation of its essential oils.

• Thyme herb tea is a popular health drink.

• Thyme has been used in the preparation of season soups, and sauces.

• Thyme along with other spicy items used to marinate and additions in chicken, fish and meat recipes.

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