The herb thyme has recently (1) been found to suppress a specific enzyme (promotes specific biochemical reactions in the body), called Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), which plays a key role in inflammation. The researchers involved in this laboratory-based cell study found that a specific chemical found in thyme, called carvacrol, seemed primarily responsible for the inflammation suppressing activity. Other botanical essential oils were also studied – clove, rose,e ucalyptus, fennel and bergamot – these also exhibited inflammation suppressing properties but to a lesser degree when compared to thyme, which reduced COX-2 levels by almost 75%.
Plant essential oils have been used for many years in various remedies but the way they work has not been clearly understood. The authors of this study suggest that further understanding of the anti-inflammatory properties of various plant essential oils, or their specific components like carvacrol could be very important for future formulation of anti-inflammatory medications and remedies.
There have been a few small studies (2,3,4) using extracts of the herb thyme which have found that it may be helpful for treating the symptoms of bronchitis and coughs. This could be due to the anti-inflammatory properties as mentioned above and also the antioxidant properties of thyme which have been demonstrated recently in cell studies (e.g.5,6).
Thyme, as well as a variety of other herbs, is now added to herbal antioxidant supplement preparations and can also be purchased as a ‘tea’ and an oil. Further studies with the herb need to take place before any firm conclusions can be drawn and recommendations made for its use. However, if you have a cough you may want to look out for herbal cough remedies that contain thyme or perhaps try burning a little of the oil in an oil burner, or sipping on some thyme tea to see if it brings relief to your symptoms.
In the future I expect that more herbal preparations will be investigated and incorporated into medicines for various uses. The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of thyme and other herbs is interesting and exciting since many common health complaints are linked to inflammation and ‘oxidative stress’.
(1)Hotta M et al. 2010. Carvacrol, a component of thyme oil, activates PPAR and and suppresses COX-2 expression. Journal of Lipid Research. 51: 132-139
(2) Kemmerich B. 2007. Evaluation of efficacy and tolerability of a fixed combination of dry extracts of thyme herb and primrose root in adults suffering from acute bronchitis with productive cough. A prospective, double-blind, placebo-controlled multicentre clinical trial. Arzneimittelforschung. 57(9):607-15
(3) Kemmerich B et al. 2006. Efficacy and tolerability of a fluid extract combination of thyme herb and ivy leaves and matched placebo in adults suffering from acute bronchitis with productive cough. A prospective, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Arzneimittelforschung. 56(9):652-60
(4) Büechi S et al. 2005. Open trial to assess aspects of safety and efficacy of a combined herbal cough syrup with ivy and thyme. Forsch Komplementarmed Klass Naturheilkd. 12(6):328-32.
(5) Rana P & Soni G. 2008. Antioxidant potential of thyme extract: alleviation of N-nitrosodiethylamine-induced oxidative stress. Hum Exp Toxicol. 27(3):215-21.
(6) Wang HF et al. 2008. DPPH free-radical scavenging ability, total phenolic content, and chemical composition analysis of forty-five kinds of essential oils. J Cosmet Sci. 59(6):509-22.
Written by Ani Kowal
Related posts:
