Thyme and rosemary prevent osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a threat to the health and well-being of many people, especially women after menopause. And one way to prevent bone decalcification is to take preparations based on thyme and rosemary.

These two medicinal plants – to a greater extent thyme – have proven their ability to reduce calcium loss in the bones in an experiment carried out with laboratory animals by researchers from the University of Kazan (Russia) and the National Research Center in Dokki (Egypt), which is endowed with a Unit of Aromatic and Medicinal Plants.

In addition, the medicinal plants produced a series of other positive effects: they increased the levels of vitamin D in the blood plasma and inflammation and oxidation were reduced.

They favor the absorption of calcium and reduce its elimination

According to the authors of the research, their work shows that “thyme and rosemary can effectively mitigate calcium loss and are promising candidates for preventing demineralization and osteoporosis.”

Everything indicates that the effectiveness of plants against osteoporosis is based on their anti-inflammatory power, which inhibits the activity of cytokines and reduces the activity of osteoclasts, giant cells that break down bone tissue. They also favor the intestinal absorption of calcium and its fixation in the bones.

They have volatile anti-inflammatory and antioxidant compounds

thyme (thymus vulgaris) contains a variety of volatile phenolic compounds such as thymol and carvacrol. Its essential oil is non-toxic and possesses antimicrobial activity.

The rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) is one of the most important medicinal plants of the Mediterranean. Some of its volatile compounds are cinaol, camphor, alpha-pinene and alpha-terpineol. It has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.

How to take thyme and rosemary to prevent osteoporosis

Thyme and rosemary can be taken in many ways. you can prepare an infusion of the leaves, boiling two teaspoons in 200 ml of water for 1 minute and letting them rest for another 10 minutes before straining. But above all you can add them as spices to all kinds of stir-fries, sauces and dishes.

Reference:

Elbahnasawy et al. The Impact of Thyme and Rosemary on Prevention of Osteoporosis in Rats. Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism.