Do you like pesto sauce? If yes, you may know about the herb thyme, which is one of the main ingredients in pesto sauce.
Thyme is a wonderful ingredient used in different cuisines around the world. Apart from culinary use, thyme has many medicinal uses, too. The nutrients in thyme have disease-preventing and health-promoting properties.
Thymol is one of the most important volatile oils found in thyme that offers antiseptic and antifungal properties. Other volatile oils in thyme include carvacrol, geraniol and borneol.
Being rich in flavonoid phenolic compounds like zeaxanthin, pigenin, lutein, luteolin and thymosin, thyme also works as a natural antioxidant. In fact, fresh thyme has the highest level of antioxidants among all herbs.
This aromatic herb is also a good source of vitamins. It is particularly rich in vitamins A and C. Other nutrients found in this herb include vitamins K and E, folic acid, potassium, calcium, iron, manganese, magnesium and selenium.
Its leaves, flowers and oil have been used in the treatment of several ailments. It is available in both fresh and dried forms. You can use it in many different ways, including as tea.
To make thyme tea:
1. Add 2 teaspoons of crushed thyme leaves (fresh or dried) in 1 cup of boiling water.
2. Cover, let it steep for 10 minutes and strain it.
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