There are tons of natural remedies out there that you can find in the comfort of your own home, but have you ever considered using thyme? It actually has tons of health benefits that can help fight off strep throat, the flu, and other respiratory infections. According to Christine Ruggeri, CHHC, the use of thyme as a natural remedy dates back to 1550 B.C.
In addition to the above, thyme also fights coughs, colds, bronchitis, sore throats, catarrh, asthma, and laryngitis. It can also be used as a healing property for mental health, helping to revive the mind from fatigue, depression, insomnia, and more. Whether you use natural thyme from your pantry or purchase an essential oil, it will definitely help!
Christine Ruggeri goes more in-depth about the history behind thyme as a medicinal herb. “The oldest Egyptian medical text, called Ebers Papyrus, dates back to 1550 B.C., and it records the healing values of thyme. The ancient Egyptians used thyme for embalming, and the ancient Greeks used it in their baths and temples; they believed that it brought on feelings of courageousness,” she explains.
“In the European Middle Ages, thyme was placed beneath pillows to aid sleep and ward off nightmares; the herb was also laid on coffins during funerals because it was believed that it provided a safe passage to the next life.”
Ruggeri continues on by saying, “Because the thyme plant is grown in many environments, climates, and soils, there are over 300 varieties with different chemotypes. Although they all look the same, the chemical composition is different along with the corresponding health benefits. The chief constituents of thyme essential oil typically include alpha-thujone, alpha-pinene, camphene, beta-pinene, para-cymene, alpha-terpinene, linalool, borneol, beta-caryophyllene, thymol, and carvacrol.”
This basically means that the benefits from the essential oils of the plant vary based on the location of which it is found. For example, Linalool ct. Thymus vulgaris is the best oil for sensitive skin and is great for use on the elderly and babies. Thymus vulgaris ct thujanol is known as great additional support for the immune system.
According to Healthy Food House, the essential oils provided by thyme also provide the following healing properties and more:
- “Natural hand sanitizer, and in the form of a hot compress to soothe rheumatic pain, sciatica, sprains, muscular pains, sports injuries, and gout
- Dilute it and apply it on the affected area to relieve Athlete’s foot, insect bites, and stings
- To improve the health and appearance of the hair, use it on the hair as a hair tonic
- Mix it with some other essential oil such as pine, lemon, lavender, rosemary, and grapefruit, and prevent skin irritations
- It destroys nail fungus, candida, and vaginitis
- It fights infections on the bladder and urinary tract
- The regular consumption boosts the DHA amount (docosahexaenoic acid, which is an omega-3 fatty acid) in the brain, kidney, and cell membranes in heart”
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Check out the video below on benefits of thyme essential oils: