Effects of a Food Supplement with a Wild Thyme (&amp;lt;i&amp;gt;Thymus serpyllum&amp;lt;/i&amp;gt; L.) Extract on Gut Health and the Microbiome in Humans: A Randomized, Double-Blinded, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial

Knaub, Katharina; Schön, Christiane; Suarez, Cynthia G.; Pischel, Ivo

doi:10.4236/fns.2022.1311065

Cited by 1 publication

(2 citation statements)

References 21 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…A recent human pilot study investigated the effects of an aqueous T. serpyllum herbal extract on gut health. In a Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial with 40 overweight subjects (N = 2×20) affected by functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs), referred to as gut-brain interaction disorders, took 600 mg of aqueous T. serpyllum herbal extract before breakfast for eight weeks ( 146 ). The results of the study indicate that wild thyme has the potential to improve gastrointestinal symptoms and increase stool frequency.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Wild thyme (Thymus serpyllum L.): a review of the current evidence of nutritional and preventive health benefits*

Jalil,

Pischel,

Feistel

et al. 2024

Front. Nutr.

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Thymus serpyllum L. (Lamiaceae), known in English as ‘wild thyme’, is primarily found in the Palearctic realm (Eurasia, North Africa) and has been utilized traditionally for culinary, nutritional, medicinal, and aromatic purposes. The essential oil extracted from wild thyme is particularly noteworthy, being used extensively in the food industry as a flavoring agent and preservative. The plant’s aerial parts are commonly employed as an element of the diet (e.g., tea)/for culinary uses and in local/traditional medicine (primarily for managing respiratory and gastrointestinal conditions), similar to the use of common thyme. There is practically no information available on the species’ nutritional benefits. Pharmacological studies, including in vitro and in vivo research, alongside a limited number of clinical trials, have investigated extracts of Thymus serpyllum, although these extracts are often phytochemically poorly characterized in different experimental protocols and models. These studies have demonstrated a range of therapeutic effects, such as antimicrobial (notably the essential oil) and anti-inflammatory, as well as its preventative health benefits and nutritional value of wild thyme. Preclinical studies have corroborated the plant’s anti-inflammatory potential, particularly in conditions like inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) and irritable bowel syndromes (IBS). Additionally, evidence of hepatoprotective activities and benefits in managing metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular health issues, such as lipid metabolism regulation, cholesterol reduction, antidiabetic, antihypertensive, and immunomodulatory effects, have been observed predominantly in rodent models. Phytochemical analysis of wild thyme reveals an essential oil fraction below 1%, along with non-volatile compounds predominantly comprising phenolic acids (such as rosmarinic, salvianolic, and caffeic acids) and flavonoids (mainly glucosides of luteolin, apigenin, and their derivatives). These components are believed to contribute significantly to the plant’s medicinal, nutritional, and preventive health properties. Despite promising findings, there is a need for more rigorously designed controlled clinical trials using phytochemically characterized wild thyme. The plant has an excellent safety and tolerability record. This review at the interface of nutritional/preventive health properties and as pharmacological activities highlights the current role of wild thyme in nutrition and general healthcare as well as its future potential, and also points to important gaps in the literature.

show abstract

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This also resulted in an improved quality of life. The stool microbiome of the study group was characterized by a high Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes ratio, which could be positively influenced by the intake of aqueous T. serpyllum herbal extract ( 146 ).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%