Introduction
Thyme honey is a sweet substance that is known for its very special aroma, unique flavor and beautiful color. The properties of thyme honey (along with the properties of natural honey in general) are of interest to the world, and international studies on it show this. This plant has flowers that attract bees. Like thyme, its honey is fragrant and has many benefits that are very welcome. This honey is known for its antiseptic and healing properties as well as combining many other benefits for the body. It cures many infections and is often recommended for the prevention of infectious, respiratory and gastrointestinal diseases.
What is Thyme?
Thyme is a plant in the Lamiaceae family. This plant is 10 to 40 cm long, with wooden stems, upright or ascending and very branched, especially fragrant. This plant grows in gardens or fields as an herbaceous or medicinal plant. The leaves are oval, very small and fragrant. Pink or almost white flowers 4 to 6 mm long appear during the summer.
Thyme is used in cooking and has an exceptional aroma. It is also rich in essential oils whose main constituents are thymol and carvacrol. Thyme is a honey plant from which honey is highly regarded due to its taste and aroma as well as its healing properties.
What is thyme honey and how is it obtained?
Thyme plant secretes nectar from which bees produce honey. Nectar is a sweet liquid found in thyme flowers. It is harvested by bees, especially worker bees. When the bees reach the hive with their nectar-filled stomachs, they return this sweet liquid to the other bees in droplets. To do this, the bees that were looking for food push back the nectar and press the tip of the tongue towards the mouth of the bees that want to feed. This type of oral feeding is called tropholaxia.
The bees collect the nectar several times and mix it with their saliva. The resulting mixture is still too liquid. To do this, the bees ventilate the cells so that after 2 to 3 days, between 15 and 20% of the water remains. At this point, the honey is ripe and the bees close the cell with a wax cap. Therefore, honey is stored in sealed cells.
To obtain thyme honey, hives are placed near this plant at the time of flowering and are collected at the end of the honey harvest.
What are the properties of thyme honey?
With a prominent and delicate taste, it is a combination of honey sweetness and delicate taste of thyme. This decisive taste of unique sweetness is distinguished by a considerable shelf life in the mouth.
The color of thyme honey is red and red, which becomes brighter if it is crystallized (closed).
Thyme honey is characterized by a strong and unique aroma.
Its texture is creamy at the beginning of the harvest or at the moment of extraction, then it is creamy and smooth when the honey naturally solidifies (or crystallizes).
What are the properties of thyme honey?
Thyme honey is rich in flavonoids, vitamins, amino acids and minerals. Hence, thyme honey has the following properties:
Antioxidant effects
These components include high concentrations of antioxidants, polyphenols and flavonoids. These components are characterized by antioxidant properties. Antioxidants help neutralize free radicals. Free radicals cause premature aging of the skin and also contribute to the development of various diseases including degenerative diseases, heart disease, various types of cancer, cellulite, cataracts and asthma. Due to its strong antioxidant power, thyme honey protects cells against aging and the harmful effects of free radicals.
Disinfectant properties
Phenol and thymol in thyme honey are powerful antiseptics that are effective against infectious diseases. These components kill pathogenic microbes on the skin and mucous membranes and accelerate the healing process. Thyme honey is composed of carvacrol, linalool , tivianol, alpha terpinol, geraniol or paracetamol. These molecules also give it antiseptic properties.
Antibacterial effects
Amino acids, particularly thymol and carvacrol, are known for their antibacterial activity. They are involved in the regeneration and improvement of the epidermis. The action of these compounds damages the cell membrane of bacteria and prevents them from multiplying. The acidic pH and low moisture content of thyme honey also inhibit bacterial growth.
Effects on metabolic reactions
Thyme honey contains vitamins A, C, D and K, which are involved in many metabolic reactions in the body. Vitamin A is an antioxidant. Vitamin C is essential for immune defense and protects against cell aging. Vitamin D, which strengthens the body’s defenses, is essential for the body’s function, while playing a key role in the absorption of calcium and phosphorus by the bones. Vitamin K plays a role in blood clotting.
Anti-allergy properties
The high content of quercetin in thyme honey is associated with anti-allergic properties. Quercetin is a flavonoid that reduces allergic reactions and spring allergy symptoms by blocking the release of histamine. Quercetin stabilizes the mast cell membrane that is responsible for releasing histamine (a substance that causes itching, sneezing, or swelling in an allergic area).
Antifungal properties
Thyme honey is characterized by antifungal properties that prevent the growth of fungi. Thyme extract in thyme honey has antifungal activity that helps treat fungal infections. Thymol together with carvacrol increase the antifungal effect of thyme honey.
Digestive properties
Thyme honey provides digestive comfort and improves digestion and is effective in case of difficulty digesting. This substance not only improves gastrointestinal problems, but also helps improve gastrointestinal health. This honey is a digestive stimulant and regulates digestion metabolism.
Anti-inflammatory properties
Thyme honey has anti-inflammatory properties. This anti-inflammatory activity is related to the function of flavonoids such as quercetin, which reduces pain and swelling by inhibiting the secretion of histamine and other inflammatory mediators (prostaglandins and leukotrienes).
Tuning properties
Thyme honey contains vitamins that strengthen the body. These vitamins stimulate the body with an energetic effect that fights fatigue and facilitates physical recovery.
Soothing properties
Thyme honey has sedative properties that enhance sleep. It also relieves the respiratory system and various inflammatory diseases through thymol activities.
Properties of thyme honey for stomach (gastrointestinal tract)
This honey has medicinal properties that stimulate the digestive system and prevent various disorders of the gastrointestinal tract, including gastritis, gastric ulcer, colic and colitis. It is also an antispasmodic for the gastrointestinal tract. Therefore, it facilitates digestion and calms the nervous contractions of the stomach and intestines. On the other hand, through anti-parasitic activities, it helps to eliminate intestinal parasites. This action has an antibacterial effect on bacteria that are often the cause of diarrhea and dysentery.
Original thyme honey allows you to have a healthy digestive system and relieve stomach aches. This substance helps the health of the gastrointestinal tract by reducing harmful bacteria and strengthening and developing probiotics or the growth of good bacteria in the digestive system.
Properties of thyme honey for the respiratory system
The benefits of thyme honey are evident in the health of the respiratory system. This product benefits the lungs and relieves respiratory symptoms. Antimicrobial and antibacterial properties treat lung infections by clearing the mucosa and relaxing the airways. It is an expectorant that causes mucus to secrete, thus freeing the lungs and airways.
Therefore, thyme honey can be used to treat cough and bronchitis. Anti-inflammatory and antihistamine properties help reduce the symptoms of asthma and cough due to allergies. Therefore, thanks to the benefits of thyme honey, it is possible to relieve respiratory infections, colds or sore throats.
The benefits of this honey at the level of the immune system
The immune system allows us to fight diseases and pathogens (viruses, bacteria, fungi and parasites). Thyme honey is an excellent source that allows us to strengthen our immune system against inflammation. This source of antioxidants and vitamins stimulates the immune system and improves the natural defense ability to fight infections or viruses. The benefits of this honey help the proper functioning of the immune system and maintain its resistance.
Properties of thyme honey in wound healing
It is used to accelerate the healing process of wounds. This excellent healing power is related to the presence of phenols, in this case thymol and carvacrol. This honey heals internal wounds (mouth wounds, digestive system) and external wounds (superficial wounds, burns and bed sores). This property is highly regarded by surgeons in the medical field, where thyme honey is used by them to accelerate the healing of deep or superficial deep wounds. This honey is applied as a sterile compress and acts as a dressing. Therefore, non-contaminated thyme honey is very effective in healing certain wounds.
Healing properties of thyme honey are associated with beneficial effects on venous and skin wounds. Thyme honey disinfects and accelerates wound healing. It also reduces the pain and duration of localized mouth ulcers.
Infected wounds
The healing power of thyme honey is evident in infected wounds (wounds that have become infected). Improves rapid and clean healing with a significant reduction in microbes, especially bacteria. The antibacterial properties of thyme honey have been shown in wounds infected with diabetic lesions or surgical incisions.
In addition, thyme honey helps to eliminate unpleasant or bad odors from some infected wounds. Thyme honey stimulates the body’s natural defenses. Therefore, with its antibacterial action, it is effective in treating infected wounds of people living with HIV / AIDS and people with weakened immune systems.
Burns
Immediate use of thyme honey on burns helps repair and regenerate the skin faster. This honey is very effective in case of first-degree surface burns. It also speeds up recovery time.
Pressure wounds
Pressure wounds or tissue necrosis can be treated with thyme honey. This improves the appearance of the skin and prevents the growth of germs. Therefore, thyme honey with antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties can be used in the treatment of pressure ulcers, to enhance cell proliferation and rapid healing.