According to the journal Plant Foods for Human Nutrition, the anti-oxidative properties of thyme can help lower blood pressure.
Animal studies have shown that consuming extracts derived from thyme could reduce both systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure in rodents.
“We found that wild thyme induced a significant decrease of blood pressure and vascular resistance in hypertensive rats.
Here the researchers noted both a significant decrease in systolic and diastolic blood pressure, as well as LDL cholesterol levels.
It’s been speculated that rosmarinic acid - one of the key compounds in thyme - may help reduce systolic blood pressure by inhibiting enzymes
It is worth noting, however, that there is limited research on the effects of thyme on humans, so further studies are needed to consolidate the herb’s relevance as a blood pressure treatment