Thymus vulgaris

Anticancer, cardioprotective, anti-inflammatory

The leaves of thyme lend a distinctive flavor to a variety of Mediterranean and French dishes. Used by the ancient Egyptians for embalming, thyme has, in addition to its culinary uses, been burnt as incense, given to warriors to instill courage and taken to enhance mental function. In traditional medicine, thyme is valued as an antiseptic and has also been used to treat sore throats, arthritis, colic and fevers. It also has cardioprotective and cancer-preventing properties that make this spice an important contributor to the beneficial health consequences of eating a “Mediterranean” type diet.

Important Phytochemicals

Antioxidants: Apigenin, caffeic acid, chlorogenic acid, eugenol, ferulic acid, gallic acid, kaempferol, luteolin, myrcene, naringenin, oleanolic acid, rosmarinic acid, salicylates, thymol, ursolic acid, vanillic acid

Others: Alpha-linolenic acid, borneol, carvacrol, citrol, geraniol, limonene, pinenes, terpenes

Medicinal Properties
Cancer
Many of the phytochemicals present in thyme, notably some of its antioxidants, have well established anti-tumorigenic properties against a variety of cancer types. The most important of these cancer preventing compounds include caffeic acid, eugenol, ferulic acid, kaempferol, limonene, naringenin and the salicylates.

Cardiovascular Disease and Blood Lipids
Thyme contains a number of cardioprotective chemicals. Alpha-linolenic acid, for example, helps to lower high blood pressure and reduces platelet stickiness, as do caffeic acid, ferulic acid, kaempferol, naringenin and thymol. Eugenol and oleanolic acid lower cholesterol, while chlorogenic acid and rosmarinic acid have been shown to inhibit the development of atherosclerosis.  
Anti-inflammatory Properties
At least half of the phytochemicals present in thyme, in particular eugenol, ferulic acid, kaempferol and the salicylates, are effective anti-inflammatory agents. Often acting synergistically, the phytochemicals in this one spice provide valuable artillery against the numerous inflammatory processes that underlie so many of our chronic diseases.