According to newest scientific findings, the active ingredient of thyme essential oil known as thymol is as powerful as over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen. The research team from the Iranian Babol University of Medical Sciences tested the effect of thymol on 84 female university students who had problems with their menstrual periods, including individuals with dysmenorrhea. This condition is characterized by painful cramps often accompanied with other symptoms like pain in the back, headaches, dizziness, and nausea.
The results were unbelievable- it alleviated pain better than ibuprofen, a common pill women take when struggling with PMS symptoms and pain during menstruation. But, thyme has so many other health benefits to offer not just pain-relieving ones; check them out in the list below!
The Best Health Advantages of Thymol
- Antibacterial
- Anti-parasitic
- Antiseptic
- Blood flow enhancer
- Reduces blood pressure
- Fights off infections
- Anti-rheumatic
- Alleviates itchiness and discomfort from stings and bites
- Good for the health of the skin and hair
- It can reduce pain and discomfort associated with menstruation when added to bathwater
- Relieves athlete’s foot when topically applied
- Elevates the healthy fats present in cell membranes
- When consumed regularly, it can increase the DHA in the kidneys, brain, and cell membranes of the heart
- It can help in the treatment of alopecia areata- mix it with lavender, rosemary, cedarwood, jojoba, and grapeseed oil and massage the scalp with it on a daily basis for a period of several months
Other Amazing Uses of Thyme Essential Oil
- It can relieve UTIs
- It can alleviate candida overgrowth and vaginitis
- It can help treat nail fungus
- Add it to warm compresses to reduce rheumatic ache, pain in the muscles, as well as pain and discomfort from sciatica, gout, and sports injuries
Sources: