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Thyme


Thymus vulgaris

Thyme

Other Names:

Common Thyme, German Thyme, Garden Thyme

Benefits

  • Antioxidant
  • Antibacterial
  • Antiseptic
  • Antihelminthic
  • Antifungal
  • Antiviral
  • Insect-repellent
  • Hepatoprotective
Thyme (Thymus vulgaris) is an everygreen herb from the mint family. It has been used for culinary, medicinal, ornamental and folk medicine uses in a variety of different cultures. Thyme is used in fresh and dried form, a whole sprig (a single stem snipped from the plant), and as an essential oil extracted from the plant parts. Volatile oils of thyme are among the main essential oils used in the food industry and in cosmetics as preservatives and antioxidants. Specific applications studied in poultry include:
  • Antioxidant: Thyme oil shows potential for improvement of intestinal barrier integrity, antioxidant status as well as evoking an immune response in chickens.
  • Antibacterial: Thyme oil (1 g/kg of diet) proved to be effective in reducing Coliform counts when it was used to create a spray for the purpose of hygiene improvement.

Poultry Specific Studies

TypePlant PartDosageSpecific useResultsRef
Chickensessential oil200 ml/kg in diet for 10 dayscandidiasis, Candida albicansReduced levels of Candida albicans, increased PCV %, ALT and AST levels, and decreased erythrocyte and total leukocyte count. Increased creatinine levels.G Fatah et al., 2020
Chickensextract5 mg/mLantibacterial, Salmonella enteritidisreduced fecal shedding and cecal counts of Salmonella enteritidis.V Elmi et al., 2020
Chickensessential oil1.0 g/kg dietheat stressBeneficial for chickens living in hot climates. Y Attia et al., 2016
Chickensessential oil0.1 and 0.25 mg/kgimmunityPromoted protein metabolism, enhanced lipolysis and strengthened immune function.Z Zhu et al., 2014
Chickensleaves and flowers1% w/w in the dietanimal performanceNo effects.A Haselmeyer et al., 2014

References

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