This research seed explores how coadministration of thyme alongside typical asthma medication can improve cough in children with asthma exacerbation.
In this article, we discuss “Thymus vulgaris ameliorates cough in children with asthma exacerbation: a randomized, triple-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial” (1).
Plant name and species
Thyme (Thymus vulgaris)
Aim of study
To examine the effect of Thymus vulgaris on cough in children between five and 12 years old with mild to moderate asthma attacks.
Study method
A randomized, triple-blind clinical trial in children with mild to moderate asthma attacks. Those with severe symptoms or other medical conditions were excluded. Cough was the primary outcome.
Thyme syrup (20 mg/kg every eight hours for one week) was given alongside conventional drugs and compared to placebo and conventional drugs.
The study was based at The Asthma and Allergy Clinic of Ardabil University in Iran.
Herbal preparation
Locally sourced thyme leaves were dried and made into a powder. This was soaked for three days in a solvent and the liquid removed and formed into a syrup. A placebo syrup was prepared using stevia, sweetener and flavourings. The thyme syrup contained (0.2 mg/cc) thymol.
Sample size
- Thyme group n=30
- Placebo group n=30
Clinical diagnosis and spirometry tests were carried out at the start of the study and after one week.
Results of study
The percentage of children with cough (following gentle activity) was significantly reduced in those taking the thyme syrup (p<0.05), with only 17% of children having cough compared to 40% in the placebo group.
Both groups saw improvements in shortness of breath, but the results were not significantly different between the thyme and placebo group after one week. Wheezing was also not different between groups at the end of the study.
In the spirometry tests both groups were similar at the start of the study, but the thyme group of children had improved FEV1 (Forced Expiratory Volume in the 1st second) at the end of the study which was significantly different from the placebo group who did not experience such improvements (p<0.05).
Discussion
Children with mild to moderate asthma taking thyme syrup for a week (along with their routine medications) saw reduced cough and improved FEV1 compared to the control group. Other asthma symptoms and spirometry measures were not different between the groups. This may be due to the short duration of the study compared to other studies using thyme syrup. The study did not provide a report on adverse effects.
Thyme essential oil (mainly thymol and carvacrol) have been shown to have anti-inflammatory effects in tracheal smooth muscle, and reduce oxidative stress. It can increase mucocillary (the cilia that line the tracheal epithelium) activity and this action wafts mucus out of the lungs, as described (1).
Thyme is sometimes given in combination with ivy leaf, and in an adult study, the combination improved cough and bronchitis symptoms after four days, and with no adverse effects (2).
Research has therefore backed-up the traditional use of thyme as an anti-tussive, and in a survey of patients in France, 94% reported that they use thyme inhalation for the common cold (3). More research would help us understand the benefits of inhalation, syrups or other formats, and support the use of this herb that is already popular with patients.
Conclusion
Thyme syrup is a helpful adjuvant treatment to reduce cough and improve lung function in children with mild to moderate asthma.
References
- Eskandarpour E, Ahadi A, Jazani AM, Azgomi RND, Molatefi R. Thymus vulgaris ameliorates cough in children with asthma exacerbation: a randomized, triple-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Allergol Immunopathol (Madr). 2024 Jan 1;52(1):9-15. doi: 10.15586/aei.v52i1.964.
- Sebo P, Winkler NE, Moussa MA, Haller DM, Maisonneuve H. Nonpharmacological home remedies for upper respiratory tract infections: a cross-sectional study of primary care patients in Switzerland and France. Fam Pract. 2023 Nov 23;40(4):564-568. doi: 10.1093/fampra/cmad084.
- Kardos P, Bittner CB, Seibel J, Abramov-Sommariva D, Birring SS. Effectiveness and tolerability of the thyme/ivy herbal fluid extract BNO 1200 for the treatment of acute cough: an observational pharmacy-based study. Curr Med Res Opin. 2021 Oct;37(10):1837-1844. doi: 10.1080/03007995.2021.1960493.
