Thyme tea is a hotly debated subject, with proponents and skeptics alike. For centuries, thyme tea has been a staple in the cultures and traditions of Europe, Asia, and the Mediterranean Basin. Despite this long history, there are still individuals who do not enjoy it. So, what sets thyme tea apart from other herbal teas?
What is thyme tea good for?Â
Thyme tea is good for the immune system, cell health, bone development, and preventing blood clots. The vitamins, antioxidants, and minerals make it ideal for treating coughs, congestion, and bronchitis. It also has been used to treat skin conditions, manage weight gain, and break up mucus buildup.
It’s safe to say that thyme tea is a cornerstone in homeopathy and traditional medicine. Luckily, thyme is easy to grow and readily available in the market. Read more to get a better idea of the health benefits of thyme tea and what you need to keep in mind when ingesting this herbal tea.
Benefits of Thyme Tea
Thyme tea has stood the test of time. Both modern medicine and traditional medicines attest to the benefits and value of this herb. It’s packed with manganese, potassium, and vitamin C among others. This is why drinking thyme tea has many health benefits to the immune system, the cardiovascular system, and even the health of the cells in our body.
Thyme Tea for Cough
If you have a cough and don’t like the cough meds that would make you drowsy, then a hot cup of strong thyme tea is all you need to ease the cough. Allow 1 teaspoon of thyme to sit in hot water for about 10 minutes. The soothing brew will give you immediate relief from the cough while keeping you alert and sharp.
Thyme Tea for Lungs
The lungs are exposed to whatever is in the air we breathe. In the spring, pollen triggers breathing problems while the winter brings flu and the common cold. The anti-inflammatory aspects of thyme tea make it an ideal treatment for whatever the lungs are complaining about. Inhaling the steam of the hot tea can also help alleviate the symptoms.
Does Thyme Tea Help Bronchitis?
Bronchial tubes are the gateway to the lungs. They’re also susceptible to the same pathogens that affect the lungs. Bronchitis is the inflammation of the lining of those tubes. Hot thyme tea soothes this inflammation and makes breathing a lot easier. Let the vapors of the tea fill up your nostrils as you drink it for fast relief.
Does Thyme Break Up Mucus?
Phlegm and mucus are two annoying byproducts of respiratory infections and allergies. They can clog the nasal cavities, sinuses, and bronchial tubes, but aromatic thyme tea has the power to break up mucus and clear the air passages. Ingest the tea hot, and make sure to breathe in the steam.
Thyme Tea for Sore Throat
As we have pointed out, thyme tea is packed with antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties. Both of those qualities work wonders on a sore throat and reduce inflammation considerably. Soak 1 teaspoon of fresh or dried thyme in 200 ml of boiling water. The brew is ready within 10 minutes. Drink it while it’s hot.
Thyme Tea for Weight Loss
Many weight loss tea products in the market have thyme as the main ingredient. Thyme works in two ways to help you manage weight. For one, it contains thymol, a compound that might improve metabolism and accelerate fat burning. The second quality is thyme’s ability to suppress appetite, which makes one eat less per meal.
Thyme Tea Benefits for Skin
Thymol, the active ingredient in thyme, also has both antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties that are quite effective against skin conditions. It has a positive effect on both dermal and epidermal layers of the skin as well as the molecules known as cytokines that are prone to inflammation.
Thyme Tea for Inflammation
Inflammation is the body’s reaction to an infection caused by bacteria or viruses. The inflammation itself can make the infection a lot worse, but as we have seen, thyme contains anti-inflammatory qualities that help the body bring inflammation under control while it fights off the infection. Make a fresh brew, and drink it hot to get the most out of the healing properties of the herbal tea.
Thyme Tea for Sleep
Thyme has a decent amount of vitamin B6. This vitamin has a calming effect on the body as it reduces stress and helps the body relax faster. Drinking thyme tea before bedtime can improve not just the quality of your sleep but also how fast you can fall asleep.
Thyme Tea During Pregnancy
Thyme tea is not recommended for pregnant women. The tea can cause cramps and lead to miscarriages. So if you’re pregnant, avoid drinking thyme tea to treat any of the above conditions and use prescribed medications instead.
Thyme Tea To Induce Labor
In traditional medicine, thyme tea was given to pregnant women to induce labor. However, you should talk to your doctor first before you take thyme tea in the late stages of pregnancy. There are safer medicines that your doctor could prescribe for you.
Thyme Tea Side Effects
Although you can’t have too much of a good thing, thyme tea isn’t without its risks. Drinking too much herbal tea can lead to stomach cramps. There’s also a risk of feeling dizzy or developing a headache. If you have one or more of those side effects, stop drinking the tea at once and consult a doctor.
Is Thyme Tea Safe?
When consumed in moderation, thyme tea is quite safe to use for most people.
Is It Safe To Drink Thyme Tea Every Day?
Thyme tea should be safe to drink every day as long as you’re a healthy person. However, the key word is moderation. One cup of tea every day should be fine.
Who Should Not Drink Thyme Tea?
Some of the properties of thyme tea and its active ingredient, thymol, make them off-limits to people who take blood thinners. The herb slows down blood clotting, which might interfere with prescribed medications. It’s also not ideal for pregnant women since it could induce a miscarriage. People who suffer from stomach cramps should avoid tea as well.
What Happens When You Drink Thyme Tea?
Thyme tea can exacerbate persistent health conditions such as blood clotting and stomach cramps. If you suffer from migraine or chronic headaches, then you shouldn’t drink the tea as it might make the condition worse.
Fresh Thyme Tea vs. Dried Thyme Tea
Both fresh thyme and dried thyme have almost the same medicinal properties. This is true if the thyme leaves have been dried properly in a cool and dry place away from direct exposure to sunlight. That said, fresh thyme tea tends to have better flavors than tea made from dried thyme leaves.
Another difference is that the dried thyme leaves have more concentrated thymol, so you should use fewer dried leaves than fresh ones when making thyme tea.
How To Make Thyme Tea
Making thyme tea is as easy as dropping a few sprigs of thyme in boiling water and setting them aside for a while. You’ll need a pot with 1 1/2cups of boiling water and 3 sprigs of fresh thyme. If you don’t have fresh thyme, then use 2 sprigs of dried thyme.
- Bring the water to a boil, and pour it into the pot.
- Drop the thyme sprigs in the pot, and make sure they sink to the bottom. You might need to use a spoon to push them down.
- Cover the pot and wait for 10 minutes while the thyme sprigs release their properties into the water.
- Fish out the thyme sprigs with a spoon, and serve the tea hot.
- You can add honey or brown sugar as desired.
Thyme Syrup for Cough
Thyme syrup is a natural and effective medication for coughs. To make the thyme syrup, you’ll need fresh thyme (dried thyme won’t work) along with raw honey. You’ll also need a kettle and a wooden spoon.
- Rinse the fresh thyme sprigs thoroughly under running water.
- Add 1 ½ cups of water for every 3 fresh sprigs.
- Place the kettle on medium heat, and when the water boils, bring the heat down to a simmer.
- Let the thyme simmer on the stove for 20 minutes.
- Strain the thyme, and let the syrup cool down before adding honey for taste.
Conclusion
Thyme tea has many medicinal properties and can help with bronchitis, sore throats, inflammation, and sore throats among other health conditions.