The Potential Gastrointestinal Health Benefits of Thymus Vulgaris Essential Oil: A Review
Abdulaziz Almanea1*
, Gamal S. Abd El-Aziz2 and Mohamed Morsi M. Ahmed1,31Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
2Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
3Nucleic Acids Research Department, Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology Research Institute (GEBRI), City for Scientific Research and Technological Applications, Alexandria, Egypt
Corresponding Author E-mail: azooz040@hotmail.com
Abstract: In recent times, medicinal plants have received great attention worldwide due to their effective pharmacological properties and therapeutic benefits. Numerous chemical compounds extracted from various medicinal plants have manifold biological activities. Thymus vulgaris (TV) is a flowering plant with an aromatic odor that has been broadly applied in conventional medicine, food additives, and phyto-pharmaceutical preparations. It is recognized to have promising therapeutic potential for curing various types of diseases. The essential oil extracted from TV, which contains a high quantity of flavonoids, possess antioxidant and antimicrobial activities. Consequently, it could be utilized as a good source in developing novel natural antioxidants and antibiotics. This review explores some of the potential health benefits of TV essential oil (TVEO) on the gastrointestinal tract.
Keywords: Thymus Vulgaris; health benefits; gastrointestinal tract Back to TOC