What are the benefits of drinking thyme tea?
If you want to discover the health benefits of thyme tea, you’re in the right place.
Thyme is a herb that’s well-known for its dietary, medicinal, and ornamental benefits.
It is often used in the household for flavoring meat, soups, and sauces.
What most people probably don’t know, however, is that this aromatic herb from the mint family can be infused to make thyme tea.
There is a raft of medicinal health benefits of thyme tea which we’ll discuss in this article.
Fresh thyme leaves and thyme oil have a long history of treating a range of illnesses and health problems since ancient times.
In fact, ancient Egyptians used thyme for embalming and in the middle ages, it was used to protect people from the black death.
We will explore everything you need to know about thyme tea, from what it is, its benefits, how to make it, and more.
What Is Thyme Tea?
Common thyme is one of the many varieties of thyme and unsurprisingly the most popular.
The perennial evergreen herb whose scientific name is Thymus Vulgaris is native to Asia and Europe.
This hardy Mediterranean herb is low-growing and can reach up to only around 20 centimeters in height.
It boasts small fragrant leaves and a thin woody stem.
Thanks to its fragrant flavor and aroma, the plant has a massive range of uses in savory dishes to enhance flavor without being overwhelming.
The leaves of the thyme plant can be used fresh, dried, or ground into thyme powder, any of these variants can be used in the making of thyme herbal tea.
The active ingredients in fresh leaves of thyme such as thymol are responsible for the incredible thyme tea benefits.
Because it delivers a wide range of health benefits and it’s incredibly easy to make, thyme tea has become widely popular throughout the world.
What is in Thyme tea?
There is more to thyme tea than just its incredible flavor.
This powerful fresh herb contains chemicals and antioxidant properties that offer the numerous medicinal health benefits of thyme tea.
According to research, thyme tea possesses below 4.6 calories in every 0.8oz serving.
This is pretty low, making it a perfect alternative to most unhealthy, sugary soft drinks.
Interestingly, thyme tea is said to be one of the herbs with the highest levels of antioxidants.
Thyme tea possesses less than 4.6 calories in every 0.8oz serving
Below are some of the other compounds that exist in trace amounts in thyme tea:
- Thymol and Linalyl Acetate
- Linalool and Borneol
- Lutein and Geraniol
- Zeaxanthin and A-pinene
- Naringenin
Top 10 Medical Health Benefits Of Thyme Tea
1. Can Help With Weight Loss
Besides possessing less than 4.6 calories in each serving, preliminary evidence suggests that thyme tea has beneficial properties that can enhance the metabolism of fat cells.
Your metabolism helps convert the fat in your food and body into energy to fuel body activities.
Enhanced metabolism helps the body to burn fats faster and more effectively, aiding weight loss.
Therefore, replacing fizzy drinks with a cup of thyme tea can help you lose that extra weight and promote healthy living.
2. Thyme Tea is Ideal For Coughs and Flu
This is a major health benefit that thyme helps with.
The fragrant herb has a long history of use to treat coughs and flu.
Experts believe that the high levels of antioxidants, minerals, and vitamins in thyme tea are responsible for these benefits.
A controlled trial found that a combination of thyme and ivy may effectively relieve coughing and acute bronchitis.
In addition, the anti-inflammatory properties of this medicinal plant can also help relax throat muscles.
The antibacterial and antispasmodic properties can offer relief for those with flu.
3. Can Improve Digestion
Thyme tea may be the perfect remedy for stomach issues like nausea, constipation, bloating, and stomach upset.
The anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties of this flavorful tea can naturally eliminate stomach bugs, promote proper digestion, and normalize bowel movements.
A recent review of several studies concluded that the carvacrol and thymol compounds in thyme tea could benefit the digestive system in many different ways.
This includes reducing inflammation, enhancing liver function, and protecting against damages.
4. Can Help With Multiple Sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis, abbreviated as MS, is a condition where the immune system eats away at the nerve area.
It disrupts communication between the brain and body.
This results in a range of conditions such as visual impairments and problems with legs and arm movement.
Unfortunately, this lifelong condition can result in severe disabilities.
Drinking thyme tea on a regular basis can help relax muscles and reduce sporadic movements that are a symptom of the disease.
5. Can Naturally Ease Menstrual Cramps
Multiple active ingredients in thyme tea offer antispasmodic effects that can effectively eliminate menstrual cramps.
Evidence also points towards the potential of this popular herb to relieve the pain and discomfort that results from menstruation.
It is also said that thyme tea can help with menstruation side effects like mood swings.
6. Thyme Tea Can Cure Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia is a health condition that causes widespread pain, resulting in symptoms like fatigue, sleep problems, and emotional distress.
Scientists believe that it results from a ‘defect’ in how the brain and spinal cord communicate pain signals.
Thyme tea possesses properties that can at the very least offer relief for people with fibromyalgia.
Experts suggest that the antiviral, antiseptic, antifungal and antiparasitic qualities of thyme tea can have beneficial effects.
These reduce the viral burden, helping treat fibromyalgia.
7. Can Boost Heart Health
Several studies indicate that thyme tea can offer numerous benefits for the heart and overall health.
An animal study published in the Journal of Hypertension indicates that a compound in thyme tea known as rosmarinic acid can help normalize blood pressure.
This means that thyme tea is a potential antihypertensive and can promote healthy living.
8. Can Lower Blood Pressure
Scientific evidence points towards the potential of thyme tea to lower high blood pressure due to its abundant antioxidants.
Experts have concluded from several animal studies that thyme tea can reduce hypertension and potentially lower systolic and diastolic blood pressure.
Further research suggests that it can also decrease LDL or ‘bad cholesterol’ that collects in blood vessel walls.
This can significantly lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases.
People looking to manage blood pressure are strongly advised to consult their healthcare providers before using thyme tea as it can interact with other medications.
9. Can Improve Memory and Focus
Findings gathered from several studies show that thyme tea can play an important role in improving cognition, memory, and focus.
In addition, it can help slow down the deposition of beta-amyloid in the brain.
A Brazilian study demonstrates that a compound found in thyme herb known as apigenin can strengthen the connections between brain cells.
Apigenin was found to delay the onset of neurodegenerative disorders, including depression, Parkinson’s, and Alzheimer’s diseases.
10. Thyme Tea Can Treat Acne
Another significant thyme benefit is its potential treatment for acne.
Acne is a skin condition that occurs when hair follicles become clogged with oil and dead skin cells.
Acne is typically characterized by red pimples, whiteheads, and blackheads on the skin, particularly on the face.
A clinical study found that the use of thyme-based tinctures can have more positive effects for acne than most creams containing benzoyl peroxide.
The thyme extract also included marigold and myrrh, which were steeped in alcohol for some days.
The researchers found that this blend can act as a natural antibiotic, killing bacteria within a few minutes of topical application.
What Are The Side Effects Of Thyme Tea ?
The FDA states that the oil of thyme, thyme leaves tea, and other thyme products are generally safe for use, with few known side effects.
The potential side effects that do exist are minor, for example, people who are allergic to oregano plants may well be allergic to Thyme.
Other potential side effects include:
- Migraines
- Nausea
- Allergies
Note that thyme can slow blood clotting and increase the risk of further bleeding during and after surgery.
You should also avoid drinking thyme tea if you have hormone-sensitive conditions like breast cancer, uterine cancer, and ovarian cancer.
In addition, while thyme tea is considered safe for pregnant women, it’s important that you monitor how much thyme tea you consume for the best results.
How To Make Thyme Tea
Thyme is available in varying forms from dried herbs and fresh herbs, to essential oils.
Below is the simplest thyme tea recipe using dried herbs:
- Boil two cups of filtered water.
- Add one tablespoon of dried thyme leaves into the hot water, cover the pot and turn down the heat to simmer.
- Let the mixture steep for about 5 minutes.
- Turn off the heat and allow the tea to cool for 1-2 minutes
- Strain your thyme tea into a cup. You can add sweeteners like honey and lemon slice to improve flavor and enjoy the health benefits of thyme tea.
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