Genus Thymus L. – aromatic and medicinal values. Overview of selected species

Renata Nurzyńska-Wierdak

Katedra Warzywnictwa i Zielarstwa, Wydział Ogrodnictwa i Architektury Krajobrazu, Uniwersytet Przyrodniczy w Lublinie, ul. Doświadczalna 50a, 20–280 Lublin, Polska
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9373-4841

Aleksandra Chrapek

Katedra Warzywnictwa i Zielarstwa, Wydział Ogrodnictwa i Architektury Krajobrazu, Uniwersytet Przyrodniczy w Lublinie, ul. Doświadczalna 50a, 20–280 Lublin, Polska


Abstract

The genus Thymus L. is one of the largest and economically most important genera in the family Lamiaceae. Plants belonging to this genus are a traditional and highly valued source of medicinal and spice raw materials. The herbal raw material of these plants is aromatic herb (herba), and the most important bioactive ingredient is essential oil (oleum aetherium). The active ingredients of the raw material also include: phenolic compounds, flavonoids, tannins, vitamins and minerals. Thyme herb extracts and thyme oils show broad biological activity. They have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antitussive, antiviral and antibacterial properties, and improve the work of the digestive system. The expectorant effect is associated with the presence of carvacrol, thymol and geraniol, and the bactericidal and virucidal properties are enhanced by the presence of phenolic compounds and flavonoids. The paper reviews the aromatic, medicinal and spice properties of selected four species of the genus Thymus: T. vulgaris L., T. pulegioides L., T. serpyllum L. and T. citriodorus S., and presents the latest research justifying their traditional applications and potential therapeutic values.

Keywords:

essential oil, polyphenols, thymol, carvacrol, geraniol, antioxidant activity

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Published
2022-09-01



Renata Nurzyńska-Wierdak 
Katedra Warzywnictwa i Zielarstwa, Wydział Ogrodnictwa i Architektury Krajobrazu, Uniwersytet Przyrodniczy w Lublinie, ul. Doświadczalna 50a, 20–280 Lublin, Polska https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9373-4841
Aleksandra Chrapek 
Katedra Warzywnictwa i Zielarstwa, Wydział Ogrodnictwa i Architektury Krajobrazu, Uniwersytet Przyrodniczy w Lublinie, ul. Doświadczalna 50a, 20–280 Lublin, Polska



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