Thyme Oil May Target Inflammation
New research shows that thyme oil may help combat inflammation, a process thought to play a role in the onset of heart disease, cancer, diabetes, arthritis, and a host of other health problems. In a recently published study, scientists found that compounds in thyme oil can suppress COX-2 (an enzyme known to promote inflammation).
In lab tests, investigators discovered that a number of essential oils (including rose and eucalyptus) oil reduced COX-2 expression in cells by at least 25 percent. But thyme oil proved even more powerful, decreasing COX-2 levels by almost 75 percent.
Used in aromatherapy and other forms of alternative medicine, essential oils are potent substances extracted from a plant’s flowers, leaves, stems, buds, branches, or roots. Although its health effects have yet to be extensively studied, thyme oil has long been used to treat conditions such as cough, bronchitis, and indigestion in herbal medicine.
Thyme Oil May Target Inflammation originally appeared on About.com Alternative Medicine on Monday, February 1st, 2010 at 06:00:52.
