Biomedicine: 2021; 41(3): 531-534 July - September 2021

Mini review
The medicinal importance of Thyme plant (Thymus vulgaris)
Mohammed S. Taher, Yasamen F. Salloom, Ruaa Abd Ul Hussein Al-Asadi, Zainab J. Al-Mousswi, Hussein Aneed
Alamrani
College of Agriculture, University of Baghdad, Al-Jadiriya, Baghdad, Iraq
(Received: June 2021 Revised: July 2021 Accepted: July 2021)
Corresponding author: Mohammed S. Taher. Email: [email protected]

ABSTRACT
Medicinal and aromatic plants are a group of the oldest plants known and used by man throughout the ages for
different fields, as they are used as food and medicine, in the middle and modern ages. The importance of these plants
has increased, and their uses varied. The term medicinal plants include different types of plants that have therapeutic
activities. These medicinal plants are considered among the sources rich in chemical components that can be used
for the treatment of a specific disease or to reduce it if they are used in pure extract or in the form of fresh, dried, or
partially extracted vegetable herbs. In addition to its medicinal importance, some plants have great nutritional value.
One of the important medicinal plants is the thyme plant which contains many benefits that treat many health
conditions. So, this article aimed to explain the most important components of thyme, in addition to its extreme role
as a medicinal plant and its multiple uses as food and medicine, as well as its importance in preventing viruses,
especially Corona virus.
Keywords: Thyme; corona virus; medicinal plants; food; medicine.

INTRODUCTION B, which helps in healing wounds and prevent winter

diseases. Thyme contains iron, calcium, phosphorus
hyme includes more than 350 species spread in

T many countries of the world which includes

several genera, Summer Savory (Satureja),
Oregano and Thymus. Genus thymus belongs to
and vitamin C. Thyme was used since ancient times to
add flavor to yogurt and cheese (4) wines (5) pork,
bunny and lamb.
common thyme or garden thyme T. vulgaris, T. Active substances
citriodorus, T. capitellatus, T. herbabarona, T.
Thyme leaves and its aromatic oil contain 40 active
scrpyllum, T. pseudolanuginosus (1). Genus thyme is
phenolic and terpenoid compounds, the concentrations
one of the most famous plants around the world
of which vary according to the types of thyme,
because of the medicinal, aromatic, and nutritional
including phenols such as Thymol and Carvacrol
properties. Common thyme is a small perennial herb
51.34% and Pinen, Limonene, Cymen, monoterpene
with a low height of about 30 cm according to the
hydrocarbons , oxygenated monoterpenes (56.53%),
climate and nature of the place in which it is located,
sesquiterpene, hydrocarbons (5.04%) and oxygenated
with abundant branches, upright or crawling, the stem
sesquiterpenes (1.84%), also four acetophenone
is square, the leaves are small in size and simple and
glycosides were isolated from the soluble fraction of
the edges are complete, the color is greenish gray or
butanol of thyme extracts and percentage of essential
silver due to the presence of the vines on their surfaces,
oils in thyme ranges from 0.32-49% (6).
the flowers are small and medium-sized, with white or
somewhat purple color and are carried on terminal Uses of thyme
bulges. Thyme fruits are capsule-shaped, small in size, Chemical medicines have been used in treatment of
containing many wrinkled seeds black in color, many diseases, but their harmful side effects and
morphologically distinguishable in terms of the emergence of bacteria and viruses resistant to them, in
external shape. Its essential oil content is 2.5%, thyme addition to their high economic cost and other factors
is an evergreen aromatic medicinal herbs that belongs caught the attention of researchers and scientists to the
to the family Lamiaceae it is derived from the Greek importance of medicinal plants because of its anti-
word thymus (2,3). The Greeks, ancient Egyptians and viral, anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties, and this
Romans used herb thyme in medicine, the ancient is due to the essential oil resulting from the secondary
Egyptian pharaohs used the thyme plant in the metabolism of the plant (7). Previous studies indicated
mummification process, and the Greeks also used it in that fresh thyme is high in antioxidants and contains
their baths and burned it as incense in their temples. 29 active compounds especially carvacrol (32%) and
Thyme contains a good amount of vitamin A, which is thymol (30%), for this it is widely used in traditional
necessary for the integrity of the mucous membranes medicine to treat different diseases like
and for maintenance and for the integrity of the gastrointestinal diseases, respiratory disorders like
nervous, digestive, skin and mouth systems. In bronchitis, asthma, cystic fibrosis, etc., (8,9). In
addition to eyesight and hair, it also contains vitamin another study, the aqueous extract of thyme showed

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Taher et al: The medicinal importance of Thyme plant (Thymus vulgaris)

antiviral activity especially virus HSV-1, HSV-2 and Thyme and COVID-19
resistant strain from HSV-1. Thyme is used
Over time, beliefs and tradition have played a role in
medicinally to treat laryngitis, pertussis, diarrhea,
confronting epidemics that have passed on humanity
chronic gastroenteritis and anorexia (10). And it has
and left their mark (20). Covid-19 was not an
anti-fungal, anti-yeast efficacy Candida albicans (11),
exception to this rule, as we are witnessing today, all
antiparasitic and antiviral, it also affects different
over the world, a deep attachment to popular legacies
types of fungi that produce mycotoxins (12). The
for the prevention of the emerging virus. Alternative
aqueous extract of thyme leaves is used to relieve
medicine has been effective in combating infectious
headache (13) stomach upset and intestinal disorders,
diseases, reducing their severity and shortening the
repellent for head lice and kill fungi that cause skin
course of their development, and even avoiding their
diseases when used externally (2). Aromatic oil, leaf
recurrence, but how does that work? The success of
extracts and plant flowers also are used as herbal tea
alternative medicine mainly focused on choosing
and as aromatic additives for foods, pharmaceuticals,
products that improve the immune system and
and cosmetics. As a medicinal plant, thyme has the
strengthen its ability to respond (8). Herbal medicines,
advantage of being an analgesic, antiseptic,
aromatherapy, traditional Chinese medicine, all these
expectorant and a cough sedative, anti-worms,
therapies have an excellent reputation for their ability
intestinal parasites and it reduces prostaglandin, which
to stimulate the immune system and are primarily used
causes muscle cramps Therefore, it is beneficial for
to treat infectious diseases and their symptoms, such
athletes (10). Thyme has been used for centuries as a
as influenza, colds, nasopharyngitis, sore throats,
spice for fish, poultry, vegetables, and for soups (13).
tonsillitis, laryngitis, and bronchitis. Viral infections
Thymol is also used in the manufacture of toothpastes,
are estimated to be about 60% of human infections that
because it is an antiseptic and a relieving substance for
result in respiratory infections and has caused the
teeth pain (2).
death of nearly 1.5 million people in the world.
Thyme essential oil Recently a new strain of Corona virus has appeared,
which is known as COVID-19. This strain is
Thyme oil is among the top ten essential oils in the
characterized by its rapid spread, causing infections
world as it is used as a food additive (12) It is used in
and severe damage to the respiratory system, which
the manufacture of perfumes and cosmetics because its
resulted in the death of many people during the past
aromatic properties and characteristics (14). Aromatic
months around the world (21,22). For this, many
oils are volatile substances that are found in the leaves
studies have been conducted on some medicinal plants
and plant flowers and are responsible for the aromatic
in this field and because this medicinal herb contains
smell in plants, which distinguish them from each
the antioxidant phenolic compounds of thymol,
other, and have nutritional, industrial or commercial
carvacrol etc. (23, 24) which is characterized by its
uses as they are used as spices, flavoring materials and
antimicrobial, antiviral and antispasmodic properties.
food flavorings in various types of food and beverages
It also reduces smooth muscle contraction,
as they are considered natural active substances in
bronchospasm, bronchitis and cough symptoms and
pharmaceutical industry (15) Thyme has several
infections in upper respiratory tract (25, 26).
mechanisms in treatment of respiratory disorders,
including the reduction of interleukin, which is To study the effect of thyme in treatment of respiratory
activated by reducing the level of the nuclear factor B diseases, Sardari et al., did a questionnaire in the
(NF-κB (8). Besides that, the aromatic oil of thyme hospital for a group of people infected with COVID-
helps inhibit the reproduction of some viruses. (16). 19 and another group who were admitted to intensive
Other research also indicated the role of thyme in care unit (ICU) the questionnaire also included a group
boost the immune system and studying the of pregnant women and patients refused to participate
relationship between the reticuloendothelial system, in questionnaire, the samples were divided into the
the immune system and the spleen (17, 18). control group (receiving routine medications
prescribed by their doctors) and the interaction group
Thyme and germination problems
(taking 5 ml of thyme essential oil every eight hours
One of the biggest challenges facing the cultivation for seven days, in addition to the medications
and spread of thyme is its weak ability to germinate in prescribed by their doctors). Based on the results of the
terms of rate and speed of germination. Therefore, questionnaire, the rate of improvement in the group for
many studies were carried out to stimulate the plant to which thyme was prescribed as a medicine was much
have better performance, including the study carried higher in the control group, and the results showed,
out by researchers at the College of Agricultural after a week of the trial, a significant decrease in blood
Engineering Sciences at the University of Baghdad, urea nitrogen (BUN) for the group that was prescribed
where the seeds were exposed to different levels of thyme compared to the control group. Lymphocytes
gamma rays, electric shock and the interference and calcium were significant (27). Other studies have
between them and the treatments showed their positive provided similar results. The research conducted by
effect after planting the seed (19). Schonknecht et al., to find out the effect of the

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Taher et al: The medicinal importance of Thyme plant (Thymus vulgaris)

effective compound of thymol on upper respiratory oil is 2.84 g / kg of body weight (33) and as an oral
infection and its role in reducing coughing, shortness dose (0.5-3 g / kg body weight) of concentrated thyme
of breath and shortening the duration of disease, the extract. In an experiment conducted on mice, it was
results showed that thyme has an effective medicinal observed that after 3 months of taking 0.9 grams of
effect in reducing respiratory diseases. There are many thyme extract by mouth daily in 95% of ethanol, there
studies that gave the same results, including the was a significant increase in the weight of the liver and
research conducted by Schonknecht et al., to find out testicles in 30% of male rats and 10% of females was
the effect of the active compound of thymol on upper died (34).
respiratory tract infection while reducing coughing
Precautions, warning, contraindications
and shortness of breath and shortening the duration of
the disease. The results showed the medicinal effect of Avoid using thyme in people with hypersensitivity
thyme in reducing these symptoms, with the from the Lamiaceae family or any component of
synergistic effect of thymol with synthetic ambroxol, thyme. Avoid taking it by mouth or undiluted topical
its safety has been proven (28). In addition, another use of thyme oil because of the toxicity. Avoid topical
study confirmed the role of thyme as an anti-bacterial, use on areas of broken skin or injury. Use with caution
antimicrobial, and antioxidant that contributes to in patients with gastrointestinal irritation or peptic
strengthening the immune system (29). ulcers, and patients with thyroid disorders. Thyme is
not recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding
Dosing
due to lack of sufficient data for this. There is a review
Although there are many studies on the dosage of in 1975 that classified thyme as both emetic and
thyme, the optimal dose has not been determined, and abortive (35).
most of the listed doses are based on experiences in
CONCLUSION
herbal medicine and that the real challenge is how to
achieve a balance between the effectiveness of these Studies have shown that thyme plant and its oil are of
doses and safety and it should also be noted that there great importance as an antidote to many pathogens,
is a difference in the preparation of products from one and that it has an important role in preventing fungal
factory to another and from one product to another and viral infections, including virus COVID-19.
within the same factory. In general, the Posology for CONFLICT OF INTEREST
adolescents, adults and elderly (Herbal substance and
comminuted herbal substance for tea preparation) is 1- Authors declare no conflict of interest.
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