Thymus serpyllum L. (Lamiaceae), known in English as ‘wild thyme’, is primarily found in the Palearctic realm (Eurasia, North Africa) and has been utilized traditionally for culinary, nutritional, medicinal, and aromatic purposes. The essential oil extracted from wild thyme is particularly noteworthy, being used extensively in the food industry as a flavoring agent and preservative. The plant’s aerial parts are commonly employed as an element of the diet (e.g., tea)/for culinary uses and in local/traditional medicine (primarily for managing respiratory and gastrointestinal conditions), similar to the use of common thyme. There is practically no information available on the species’ nutritional benefits. Pharmacological studies, including in vitro and in vivo research, alongside a limited number of clinical trials, have investigated extracts of Thymus serpyllum, although these extracts are often phytochemically poorly characterized in different experimental protocols and models. These studies have demonstrated a range of therapeutic effects, such as antimicrobial (notably the essential oil) and anti-inflammatory, as well as its preventative health benefits and nutritional value of wild thyme. Preclinical studies have corroborated the plant’s anti-inflammatory potential, particularly in conditions like inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) and irritable bowel syndromes (IBS). Additionally, evidence of hepatoprotective activities and benefits in managing metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular health issues, such as lipid metabolism regulation, cholesterol reduction, antidiabetic, antihypertensive, and immunomodulatory effects, have been observed predominantly in rodent models. Phytochemical analysis of wild thyme reveals an essential oil fraction below 1%, along with non-volatile compounds predominantly comprising phenolic acids (such as rosmarinic, salvianolic, and caffeic acids) and flavonoids (mainly glucosides of luteolin, apigenin, and their derivatives). These components are believed to contribute significantly to the plant’s medicinal, nutritional, and preventive health properties. Despite promising findings, there is a need for more rigorously designed controlled clinical trials using phytochemically characterized wild thyme. The plant has an excellent safety and tolerability record. This review at the interface of nutritional/preventive health properties and as pharmacological activities highlights the current role of wild thyme in nutrition and general healthcare as well as its future potential, and also points to important gaps in the literature.

Background: Current treatment options for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are limited by factors such as adherence and cost, whilst no treatment options are available for sub-clinical or undiagnosed ADHD. Herbal preparations may therefore offer an alternative approach to the management of symptoms; Aloysia citriodora Paláu (lemon verbena) is a promising candidate. Aim: To assess the behavioural, cognitive, psychological and physiological effects of 56 days of supplementation with lemon verbena extract (LVE) in children exhibiting symptoms of ADHD at the sub-clinical level. Methods: This exploratory study followed a randomised, double-blind parallel groups design wherein 120 healthy participants aged 8–17 years received 15 mg/kg bw/d LVE or matched placebo for 56 days. Behavioural, cognitive, mood and physiological measures were collected in the lab at baseline and 28 and 56 days post-dose. Parents also evaluated the child’s behaviour throughout the study. Results: Participants who received LVE reported greater subjective fatigue, defined as reduced energy levels according to the Profile of Mood States subscale, without impairments in cognitive performance across the 56-day intervention and lower depression symptoms on day 56, compared to placebo. The effect of LVE on parent ratings of hyperactive/impulsive behaviour also approached significance with fewer concerns being reported following the active treatment. Exploratory analyses showed further benefits to cognition and mood. Conclusions: This study revealed novel, beneficial effects of LVE supplementation in children exhibiting a high frequency of behaviours characteristic of ADHD. Overall, LVE was safe and well-tolerated by participants, with no unexpected safety events.

Background/Objectives: Botanical metabolites can modulate cellular stress responses, lipid homeostasis, and epithelial organization. Arctium lappa L. (Burdock) root contains bioactive phytochemicals and inulin-type fructans, but its molecular effects in vitro remain incompletely characterized. Methods: HaCaT keratinocytes were exposed to a standardized aqueous Burdock root extract (1 mg/mL) for 4.5 h and analyzed by RNA sequencing. The Burdock-versus-control response was evaluated using gene-level differential-expression analysis, ReactomeGSA, and focused GO and KEGG ORA. Higher-amplitude responses were subsequently compared with those induced under identical conditions by Rosehip and Schisandra extracts. Results: Burdock treatment identified 80 DEGs meeting FDR ≤ 0.05 and |log₂ FC| ≥ 1. The response was characterized by induction of metallothioneins, zinc transporters, NRF2- and AhR-associated genes. Increased expression of selected sterol-transport and intracellular-handling genes was accompanied by coordinated downregulation of cholesterol- and lanosterol-biosynthesis pathways. Reciprocal regulation of SPHK1, SGPP1, and SGPL1 indicated altered transcriptional control of S1P production and turnover. Junctional, cytoskeletal, TGF-β-associated, and epithelial cell-state genes were also regulated. Comparative analysis identified 29 higher-amplitude DEGs meeting the predefined Burdock threshold criteria but not the corresponding comparator thresholds, including an 11-gene subgroup not significantly regulated by either comparator treatment. Conclusions: Together, these findings define an early transcriptional response integrating metal homeostasis, cytoprotective signaling, sterol and sphingolipid metabolism, and epithelial remodeling, providing a mechanistic framework for future investigation of Burdock rootextract nutritional and dermatological research.

Background: Physical inactivity in older adults affects physical function, cognition, and social well-being. Rhodiola rosea, an adaptogenic herb, reported to improve endurance, reduce fatigue, and support mental health; however, clinical evidence in physically inactive older adults remains limited. Methods: This randomized, multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled study evaluated the efficacy and safety of Rhodiola rosea extract (RhoSera®) in 140 physically inactive adults aged 55 to 75 years, with early symptoms of muscle weakness or loss of muscle mass. The participants were equally randomized into two groups and observed for 12 weeks. Results: Compared with placebo, the Rhodiola rosea extract group showed improvements in anthropometric parameters, including waist and hip circumference, skinfold thickness, fat mass, muscle mass, lean body mass, and BMI. Improvements were also observed in handgrip strength, ASMI, balance, and postural stability, alongside reduced fatigue and stress, improved mood, and enhanced motivation for physical activity. Functional performance improved in the chair stand test, six-minute walk test, and gait speed. Conclusion: Rhodiola rosea extract is a safe and effective way to improve body composition, physical performance, and overall well-being in physically inactive older adults. These benefits may help preserve functional independence, mobility, and quality of life as people age.

Background/Objectives: Functional gastrointestinal discomfort is highly prevalent and affects up to 40% of the global population and remains challenging to manage due to its multifactorial nature. Usual interventions include dietary and lifestyle modifications, such as targeted phytochemical-based interventions. This multicenter, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial investigated the efficacy and exploratory microbiome-related effects of a standardized wild thyme extract (WThE) administered for 8 weeks on gastrointestinal symptoms, health-related quality of life, and fecal microbiome dynamics in adults without diagnosed organic gastrointestinal disease who reported gastrointestinal discomfort. Methods: A total of 178 adults without diagnosed organic gastrointestinal disease and with persistent gastrointestinal discomfort were randomized to WThE (n = 90) or placebo (n = 88); 131 participants had observed week-8 outcome data. Results: The analysis showed a greater reduction in overall gastrointestinal symptom burden with WThE than placebo, measured by the GSRS total score, with the largest exploratory domain-level differences observed in indigestion, constipation, and diarrhea-related symptoms. Improvements were also observed in health-related quality of life. At the microbiome level, no significant between-group differences were detected in α- or β-diversity; however, taxon-level analyses identified specific changes in fecal microbial composition, and predicted functional profiling suggested associated pathway-level differences. Moreover, the extract was well tolerated, with no product-related adverse events reported during the 8-week intervention. Conclusions: Overall, WThE reduced self-reported gastrointestinal symptom burden and improved selected quality-of-life outcomes in adults with persistent gastrointestinal discomfort, supporting Thymus serpyllum as a safe and well-tolerated botanical intervention linked to favorable modulation of the fecal microbiome and enhanced gastrointestinal function. ClinicalTrials.gov no: NCT06639126.