Thyme Oil Inhibits Inflammation

Science Daily has an article titled Thyme Oil Can Inhibit COX2 and Suppress Inflammation. Quoting:

ScienceDaily (2010-01-14) -- Researchers have found that six essential oils -- from thyme, clove, rose, eucalyptus, fennel and bergamot -- can suppress the inflammatory COX-2 enzyme, in a manner similar to resveratrol, the chemical linked with the health benefits of red wine. They also identified that the chemical carvacrol was primarily responsible for this suppressive activity.

The COX-2 enzyme is one of three COX isoenzymes. COX is an abbreviation for cyclooxygenase. The enzymes induce the formation of prostanoids including prostaglandins and thromboxane which can lead to inflammation. Pain relief results when inflammation is reduced and suppression of COX-2 reduces inflammation.

The Science Daily article points out that six oil sources were found to inhibit COX-2 expression. They are thyme, rose, clove, eucalyptus, fennel and bergamot. Thyme oil was the most effective of the group. Carvacrol, a component of thyme oil, was found to be a strong inhibitor.