Evidence supporting the use of: Thymus
For the health condition: Colds (prevention)

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2

Thymus vulgaris, commonly known as thyme, has a long history of use in traditional herbal medicine for the prevention and treatment of respiratory conditions, including colds. Traditional European and Mediterranean medicine often utilized thyme preparations (such as teas or syrups) for their perceived expectorant, antimicrobial, and immune-supportive properties. The essential oils in thyme, particularly thymol and carvacrol, have demonstrated antimicrobial activity in laboratory studies, which may underpin some of the traditional rationale for its use against respiratory infections.

However, while there is some in vitro (test tube) evidence that thyme extracts can inhibit the growth of certain bacteria and viruses, clinical studies in humans are limited and generally of low quality. A few small clinical trials have assessed herbal mixtures containing thyme (often combined with other herbs like primrose) for cough and bronchitis, with some benefit observed, but specific data on thyme for cold prevention is lacking. Thus, while its use is justified by tradition and supported by some plausible mechanisms, robust scientific validation—especially for prevention of the common cold—is lacking.

In summary, thyme’s use for cold prevention is rooted primarily in traditional herbal medicine, with limited scientific evidence to support its efficacy for this specific purpose.

More about Thymus
More about Colds (prevention)

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licorice root
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Products containing Thymus

We currently have no products on Vitabase that contain this ingredient.