While vitamins C and D are often recommended to fight off illnesses, this Mediterranean plant is another potent ally that many don’t think about
An often-overlooked herb could help reduce bloating, fend off colds and flu, and, according to experts, boost your immune system. So, what should you pick up on your next shopping run?
Experts suggest that thyme is a fantastic choice, particularly during the winter months. Marta León, an expert in food, nutrition, and hormonal health, shared with COPE that bacteria and viruses tend to thrive during winter.
While vitamins C and D are often recommended to fight off illnesses, thyme is another potent ally that many don’t think about. This Mediterranean herb boasts powerful antibacterial and antimicrobial properties, thanks to compounds like thymol and carvacrol—benefits that are not widely recognized.
León emphasises the importance of a diet that avoids inflammatory foods, such as processed items, additives, sugar, and alcohol. “Steer clear of anything that overburdens your liver and system, so they can focus on protecting you from viruses,” she advises.
“It cares for our respiratory system because it is an expectorant; it can be very helpful when we have a cough, mucus or phlegm. Having a bloated stomach might seem unrelated to the immune system but it again distracts the body from performing its functions and might be consuming too many energy resources,” she adds.
Marta states that the herb is very aromatic plant of Egyptian origin, can greatly help us strengthen our immune system to protect us from bacterial action. But there is a way you can drink this to ensure you get the most benefits.
What is the best way to consume thyme?
The best results are said to be achieved by infusing fresh thyme leaves (or dry leaves) in boiling water for 15-20 minutes. You should aim to drink it 2 to 3 times a day. Boasting high levels of vitamin K and iron, it’s one to include in your diet.
How to make the herbal tea – step by step
Another way to consume it is with sweeteners. This herbal tea is a good beverage you can make on a cold and snowy days to strengthen the immune system is thyme, honey and lemon herbal tea.
All you need to do is:
- Boil water
- Add a tablespoon of thyme and lemon juice
- Let it cook for 5 minutes
- Strain and sweeten with honey to taste
You can also add honey or ginger if you prefer rather than lemon juice.
In fact, mariongluckclinic state that in addition to thyme, Echinacea is another brilliant herb. The expert, Vera Martins, says that she loves “recommending them to my patients, as well as family and friends, as they never let me down.”
Hailing them as “powerful medicinal tools for modern times”, she notes that thyme has strong anti-bacterial and anti-microbial properties. It can not only help fight off illnesses, but it can aid in fighting infections particularly those of the respiratory tract system such as bronchitis and tonsillitis.
