Garden thyme is the herb of the year in 2026

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Garden thyme (Thymus vulgaris) is a Mediterranean herb, the flowering shoots of which have been used in phytotherapy in Hungary for centuries, but are also used as a spice. Among the smaller related species that occur wild in our country, the narrow-leaved thyme (Thymus serpyllum) is the most typical for medicinal use. Preparations containing thyme or its extract – mainly tea blends and syrups – are used in cases of colds, sore throats or coughs caused by bronchitis due to their expectorant and mucolytic effects. Several pharmacological studies and animal experiments confirm the antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, and antispasmodic effects of its essential oil and the thymol it contains. In some cases, its preparations can be used in children over 4 years of age, but their use is generally recommended for children over 12 years of age. Thyme is one of the herbs that can be safely used. Its contraindications and drug interactions are not known. The goal of the Medicinal Herbs Department of the Hungarian Medical University is to contribute to the spread of the professional use of herbs with its activities. By choosing the herb of the year, attention is focused on a new herb every year, and knowledge about the selected plant, its effects, and its use can reach a wide range of interested parties.

MTI