Egyptian researcher finds thyme is effective against asthma, Aids

The common spice thyme can be beneficial against a host of widespread ailments such as asthma, whooping cough or even AIDS, says an Egyptian researcher, MAP reported.

Dr Muhammad Ahmad Matar - a researcher at the Cairo-based national center for research- told Kuwaiti news agency (KUNA) thyme contains potent agents that can act as tranquilizers or pain killers or disinfectants or energizers of blood circulation.

Thyme, besides giving a flavor to food, acts as a germ killer as well, said Dr Matar in his chemically-based study of the properties of the spice widely available and used in the middle east.

The germ killing property in thyme is a substance he called thymol which also rids the stomach of any existing parasites. Another substance in it, carfkroul, can be used as tranquilizer, germ killer, phlegm fighter as well as an anti-diarrhea and blood-clotting agent, he said.

Thyme also seems to be effective against muscle weakness and its anti-oxidization properties can be helpful in retarding spoilage in canned foods, Dr Matar said.

Added to some other spices as ginger, thyme, he said, can strengthen the body's immune system against a disease as devastating as AIDS.