Thyme Oil Reduces Inflammation

NARA, JapanThyme oil was shown to have anti-inflammatory properties in a new study published in the Journal of Lipid Research (2010 Jan;51(1):132-9). Researchers identified carvacrol, a component of thyme, as a major suppressor of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression, an enzyme that plays a key role in inflammation and pain. They found thyme oil suppressed COX-2 expression by 75 percent, and when the isolated carvacrol, they found carvacrol alone suppressed COX-2 expression by 80 percent. Further, carvacrol activated peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) alpha and gamma, which are involved in the control of COX-2 expression.

Researchers also found anti-inflammation properties in essential oils derived from clove, rose, eucalyptus, fennel and bergamot, which suppressed COX-2 expression by at least 25 percent.