Health Benefits of Thyme
By Madhusudhan Tammisetti
Thyme is a very versatile plant which is used in a number of dishes, notably in the Mediterranean. It has a distinctive and strong odor that is somewhat similar to mint, and it's used fresh or dried. The herb is a spice rich in nutrients that outperforms others and is a good fit to be added into your diet because of its nutritional content and the different phytochemicals present in it that are good for your health.
Its health benefits include protection against food poisoning, natural anti-fungal properties, reduce pain and inflammation, boost brain health, improved mood, and feeling of well-being, and enhances respiratory function. Other benefits consist of improving digestive system health and functioning as a diuretic to keep the balance of electrolyte levels and water in the body.
A Diuretic
In normal circumstances, the body balances electrolyte and water levels to prevent you from retaining too much fluid or losing too much fluid and becoming dehydrated. However, sometimes you may need more diuresis, for instance, when you have congestive heart failure or high blood pressure. Healthy kidney function also requires frequent diuresis since retaining fluid for extended periods of time increases the chance of kidney stone development.
Thyme is a moderate natural diuretic that helps balance electrolyte levels by gently encouraging the outflow of the excessive fluid. Diuresis may also aid in the loss of extra water weight, which is very beneficial while participating in different exercise regimens.
Supports Brain Health
Although there are numerous other variables at play, with age, human brains degrade and disintegrate like any other component of the body. Oxidation is one of them, which may cause unfavorable changes in the brain at rates that may be seen only in the elderly. That's where thyme comes in. Thyme is rich in antioxidants and may help you keep your brain healthy for a long time.
In an experiment, thyme supplement was given to rodents. They had a considerably healthier brain, reminiscent of much younger mice. The herb also seems to protect healthy fats such as omega-3, which have been linked to improved cognitive performance and mental health in the elderly.
May Lower the Chances of Getting Cancer
It's widely known that many essential oils possess cancer-fighting properties. Carvacrol is a compound present in thyme, does the same. Carvacrol slows both the development and the spreading of cancer cells to other areas of the body. It may result in the prevention of cancer or tumor development. For a cancer patient, spreading of cancer is the worst outcome as it becomes very difficult to treat when this happens. Thyme may aid in giving positive results if you already have cancer and helps reduce the risk of cancer. In other cancers, this outcome seems to be particularly strong.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Hiram, Ga.