What is Common thyme and Why Does the Food Zoomer Test for It?

Culinary herb antigen

Common thyme (Thymus vulgaris) is a culinary herb whose proteins and small molecules can be recognized by the immune system when consumed. Measuring immune responses to thyme proteins—via IgA and IgG—helps reveal whether the body is reacting to this common dietary ingredient and where that activity may be occurring (mucosal vs systemic).

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Common thyme

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About Common thyme

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About Common thyme

Overview and History

Common thyme is a member of the Lamiaceae (mint) family, botanically known as Thymus vulgaris. As a food ingredient it contains a mix of plant proteins, lectins, and bioactive compounds (for example thymol and carvacrol) that can act as antigens when presented to the immune system. Historically used as a spice and herbal remedy, thyme’s clinical interest in food testing stems from its role as a commonly eaten botanical that can elicit measurable IgA or IgG antibody responses in some people. Laboratory assays for thyme focus on protein- and peptide-level recognition rather than the herb’s therapeutic properties, allowing comparison with other food antigens on the same platform.

Interpreting Highs and Lows

Elevated antibody responses to common thyme suggest measurable immune recognition of thyme proteins; IgA elevations point toward mucosal (gut) immune activity while IgG elevations reflect broader systemic immune exposure. Lower or absent responses suggest little to no detectable antibody recognition, which may reflect limited exposure, immune tolerance, or lack of sensitization. Interpretation is most informative when viewed alongside other Food Zoomer markers, symptom history, and the pattern of IgA vs IgG across related plant or spice groups.

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Thyme is included in Food Zoomer to capture immune reactivity to common culinary herbs and plant proteins. Testing for thyme helps map whether spice-derived antigens cluster with other plant foods or additives, supporting more precise dietary interpretation and individualized food planning.

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Common thyme FAQs

What is Common thyme and why is it important?

Common thyme is a widely used culinary herb whose proteins and plant compounds can be recognized by the immune system. Its importance in testing comes from being a frequent part of diets—measuring antibody responses can reveal whether thyme contributes to patterns of immune activity tied to food intake. That information can help providers understand food-related immune signals in the context of a broader panel.

What does it mean if my Common thyme levels are low?

Low or undetectable antibody levels to common thyme generally mean there’s little immune recognition of thyme proteins in the sample tested. This can reflect limited recent exposure, immune tolerance, or absence of sensitization. Low levels should be interpreted alongside other panel results, symptom patterns, and the IgA vs IgG profile to form a fuller picture.

What does it mean if my Common thyme levels are high?

Higher antibody levels indicate measurable immune recognition of thyme proteins. Elevated IgA suggests mucosal (gut-associated) reactivity while elevated IgG indicates more systemic immune exposure. These findings are associations that require clinical context and comparison with other Food Zoomer markers to understand potential dietary relevance.

Why is Common thyme included in the Food Zoomer?

Thyme is a common dietary herb and representative plant antigen; including it helps detect spice-related immune patterns that may cluster with other plant foods or additives. Measuring thyme contributes to a more complete map of food immune activity, supporting providers as they identify patterns and plan targeted, data-driven dietary strategies.

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