Studies have found that this essential oil potently kills cancer cells. The essential oil of common thyme (Thymus vulgaris) which is generally known as “oil of thyme” contains 20-54% thymol. Thymol belongs to a naturally occurring class of compounds known as “biocides”. Biocides are substances that can destroy harmful organisms. (Mar 25. 2023)

When thymus is used alongside other biocides, such as carvacrol, it has strong antimicrobial attributes. Scientists tested thyme for its antibacterial activities in vitro toxicology against three human cancer cell lines. What they found is that thyme kills lung cancer cells, oral and ovarian cancer.

Thyme is native to the Mediterranean, and is often used in cooking with olive oil. Oil from the common herb thyme was discovered to kill up to 97% of human lung cancer cells.

Thyme Brings Out The Best of Olive Oil

Recent research has shown that if you mix thyme and olive oil it will enhance the availability of hydroxytyrosol, olive oil’s most potent anti-cancer compound.

Thyme essential oil, has also been used in Ayurvedic and traditional medicine due to its strong antioxidant, anti-bacterial, and anti-fungal (kills Candida) properties.

Also, oncologist researchers at Celal Bayar University in Turkey carried out a study to find what effect Wild Thyme (Thymus serpyllum) might have on breast cancer cells. They looked at the effects of Wild Thyme on cell death and epigenetic events in breast cancer cells. Epigenetics is the study of changes in gene expression caused by mechanisms that do not involve alterations in DNA sequence.

They reported in the journal Nutrition and Cancer that Wild Thyme caused cell death in the breast cancer cells. The study authors concluded that Wild Thyme “may be a promising candidate in the development of novel therapeutic drugs for breast cancer treatment.”

Fresh thyme also makes a great addition to a healthy diet focused on organic fruits, vegetables and whole foods and can be used as a herb in cooking or simply prepared as a tea.