Thyme (Thymus vulgaris) is a medicinal herb in the Lamiaceae family, cultivated worldwide for culinary, cosmetic perennial and medical purposes. Beneficial effects of herbal extracts or active substances in animal nutrition may include the stimulation of appetite and feed intake, the improvement of endogenous digestive enzyme secretion, activation of immune response and antibacterial, antiviral, antioxidant and antihelminthic actions. Isoprene derivatives, flavonoids, glucosinolates and other plant metabolites may affect the physiological and chemical function of the digestive tract. The pharmacological action of active plant substances or herbal extracts in humans is well known, but in animal nutrition the number of precise experiments is relatively low. However, objective of this review discussing some of thyme (Thymus vulgaris) properties including antimicrobial, antioxidant, effect on digestion process and process of methanogenesis in the rumen.
