Omnia SanaPlant Comparison
Centaury vs Breckland Thyme
A side-by-side comparison of two medicinal plants — every documented constituent, action, use, safety note and cited source, assembled automatically from the Omnia Sana database.
At a glance
Centaury and Breckland Thyme: they share 5 indicated uses (acid reflux, arthritis / joint pain, indigestion, …); 2 pharmacological actions in common.
Evidence face-off — shared uses
| Condition | Centaury | Breckland Thyme | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acid reflux | 1/10 | 1/10 | Comparable evidence |
| Arthritis / joint pain | 1/10 | 1/10 | Comparable evidence |
| Indigestion | 1/10 | 1/10 | Comparable evidence |
| Inflammation (general) | 1/10 | 1/10 | Comparable evidence |
| Skin irritation | 1/10 | 1/10 | Comparable evidence |
Evidence scores (1–10) are computed from the tier of each cited source. “Comparable” means the two scores are within one point. Follow a score to its detailed sources.
Key Constituents
The intensely bitter principles that stimulate digestive secretions.
The volatile oil, dominated by thymol and carvacrol, gives most of the antimicrobial and antioxidant activity.
Contribute additional antioxidant activity.
Minor constituents studied for anti-inflammatory activity.
Pharmacological Actions
Digestive aid for mild dyspeptic complaints such as indigestion and bloating (stimulates gastric and bile secretion) - a comprehensive review also documents gastroprotective, hepatoprotective and anti-inflammatory activity
Aromatic bitter tonic for temporary loss of appetite
Digestive aid for mild dyspeptic complaints such as indigestion and bloating (stimulates gastric and bile secretion) - a comprehensive review also documents gastroprotective, hepatoprotective and anti-inflammatory activity
Digestive aid for mild dyspeptic complaints such as indigestion and bloating (stimulates gastric and bile secretion) - a comprehensive review also documents gastroprotective, hepatoprotective and anti-inflammatory activity
Traditional & Indicated Uses
inferred from gastroprotective action
Aromatic bitter tonic for temporary loss of appetite
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
Digestive aid for mild dyspeptic complaints such as indigestion and bloating (stimulates gastric and bile secretion) - a comprehensive review also documents gastroprotective, hepatoprotective and anti-inflammatory activity
inferred from hepatoprotective action
Digestive aid for mild dyspeptic complaints such as indigestion and bloating (stimulates gastric and bile secretion) - a comprehensive review also documents gastroprotective, hepatoprotective and anti-inflammatory activity
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
inferred from hepatoprotective action
inferred from gastroprotective action
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
inferred from anticancer action
inferred from gastroprotective action
inferred from antimicrobial action
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
Safety, Cautions & Contraindications
Because bitters increase stomach-acid secretion, centaury is contraindicated in peptic (stomach or duodenal) ulcer disease and hyperacidity.
Traditional use only; appetite loss or dyspepsia that persists needs medical assessment. Use during pregnancy and breastfeeding is not recommended.
Generally safe at culinary doses. Essential oil is highly concentrated and must be diluted before topical use; undiluted application can cause skin sensitisation. Not recommended internally during pregnancy (uterine stimulant effects possible). Phenol-rich thyme preparations should be avoided long-term in high doses. May potentiate anticoagulant medications.
Duke (2002) rates Thymus vulgaris (garden thyme, closely related to breckland thyme) as +++ with clinical evidence (score 2) for antibacterial, bronchospasmolytic, and antispasmodic activities, consistent with Commission E and WHO approvals for bronchitis and upper respiratory catarrh. The primary active constituent is thymol, with carvacrol as a secondary compound. Dose: 1–2 g dried herb as tea three times daily. The plant demonstrates COX-2 inhibitory activity and calcium antagonism, which may explain its antispasmodic effects (Duke, 2002).
External Ids
Botanical Description
Slender annual or biennial herb with a basal rosette of oval leaves and an erect, wiry, four-angled flowering stem branching near the top. Small, star-shaped, pink flowers with five pointed petals open only in sunshine, borne in dense, flat-topped clusters at the stem tips.[12]
Low, mat-forming, aromatic perennial subshrub with tiny, oval, strongly aromatic leaves on trailing, wiry, hairy stems that root as they spread. Small, pinkish-purple, two-lipped flowers are borne in dense whorled clusters at the stem tips.
Habitat
Grows in dry grassland, chalk downland, dunes and open woodland on well-drained, often calcareous soils; native to Europe, North Africa and Western Asia.[12]
Grows on dry, sunny heath, grassland, rocky ground and sandy soils; native to Europe and widely distributed across the northern temperate zone.
Harvesting
The flowering aerial parts are cut in summer while in flower, when the intensely bitter secoiridoid content is highest, and dried in a warm, shaded, airy place.[12]
The flowering aerial parts (flower and leaf) are cut at the start of flowering in summer and dried in a warm, shaded, airy place.
Traditional Uses
Centaury is one of the classic European bitter digestive herbs, traditionally used for temporary loss of appetite and mild dyspeptic complaints such as indigestion and bloating, stimulating gastric and bile secretion.[12]
Preparations
Dried herb macerated in cold water for several hours, which extracts the bitter principles while minimising extraction of harsher tannins; a traditional preparation method for bitters.
Dried herb infused briefly in hot water and taken shortly before meals as a bitter digestive tonic.
Tincture of the dried herb; the EU herbal monograph gives 1.5-5 g up to three times daily. Educational reference only, not a prescription.
Dried flowering herb infused in hot water as a traditional respiratory and digestive tea.
Dosage
The EU herbal monograph gives 1-4 g of the comminuted herb in 200 mL of boiling water as an infusion, up to 4 times daily, in adults and elderly; a powdered herbal substance at 0.25-2 g up to 3 times daily, liquid extract 2-4 mL up to 3 times daily, and tincture 1.5-5 g up to 3 times daily are also listed. Not recommended under 18 years, and contraindicated in peptic ulcer. Educational reference only, not a prescription.
Not documented
References
Lookalikes Review
References & Sources
- Tuluce, Y., Ozkol, H., Koyuncu, I. and Ine, H (2011) 'Gastroprotective effect of small centaury (Centaurium erythraea L) on aspirin-induced gastric damage in rats', Toxicology and Industrial Health, 27(8), pp. 760-768. doi:10.1177/0748233710397421 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1177/0748233710397421 - Chabane, S., Boudjelal, A., Bouaziz-Terrachet, S., Spinozzi, E. et al (2023) 'Analgesic effect of Centaurium erythraea and molecular docking investigation of the major component swertiamarin', Natural Product Research, 38(24), pp. 4511-4517. doi:10.1080/14786419.2023.2278160 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1080/14786419.2023.2278160 - Akşit, H., Gözcü, S. and Altay, A (2022) 'Isolation and cytotoxic activities of undescribed iridoid and xanthone glycosides from Centaurium erythraea Rafn. (Gentianaceae)', Phytochemistry, 205, pp. 113484. doi:10.1016/j.phytochem.2022.113484 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phytochem.2022.113484 - El Menyiy, N., Guaouguaou, F.E., El Baaboua, A., El Omari, N., Taha, D. and others (2021) 'Phytochemical properties, biological activities and medicinal use of Centaurium erythraea Rafn', Journal of Ethnopharmacology, pp. 2021. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2021.114171 Traditional / reference
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2021.114171 - Guedes, L., Reis, P.B.P.S., Machuqueiro, M., Ressaissi, A., Pacheco, R. and Serralheiro, M.L (2019) 'Bioactivities of Centaurium erythraea (Gentianaceae) Decoctions: Antioxidant Activity, Enzyme Inhibition and Docking Studies', Molecules, 24(20), pp. 3795. doi:10.3390/molecules24203795 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules24203795 - Dordevic, M., Mihailovic, M., Arambasic Jovanovic, J., Grdovic, N., Uskokovic, A., Tolic, A., Sinadinovic, M., Rajic, J., Misic, D., Siler, B., Poznanovic, G., Vidakovic, M. and Dinic, S (2017) 'Centaurium erythraea methanol extract protects red blood cells from oxidative damage in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats', Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 202, pp. 172-183. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2017.03.016 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2017.03.016 - Dordevic, M., Grdovic, N., Mihailovic, M., Arambasic Jovanovic, J., Uskokovic, A., Rajic, J., Sinadinovic, M., Tolic, A., Misic, D., Siler, B., Poznanovic, G., Vidakovic, M. and Dinic, S (2019) 'Centaurium erythraea extract improves survival and functionality of pancreatic beta-cells in diabetes through multiple routes of action', Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 242, pp. 112043. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2019.112043 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2019.112043 - Chda, A., El Kabbaoui, M., Fresco, P., Silva, D., Goncalves, J., Oliveira, A.P., Andrade, P.B., Valentao, P., Tazi, A., El Abida, K. and Bencheikh, R (2019) 'Centaurium Erythraea Extracts Exert Vascular Effects through Endothelium- and Fibroblast-dependent Pathways', Planta Medica, 86(2), pp. 121-131. doi:10.1055/a-1023-8918 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1055/a-1023-8918 - Kumarasamy, Y., Nahar, L., Cox, P.J., Jaspars, M. and Sarker, S.D (2003) 'Bioactivity of secoiridoid glycosides from Centaurium erythraea', Phytomedicine, 10(4), pp. 344-347. doi:10.1078/094471103322004857 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1078/094471103322004857 - Kachmar, M.R., Oliveira, A.P., Valentao, P., Gil-Izquierdo, A., Dominguez-Perles, R., Ouahbi, A., Badaoui, K.E., Andrade, P.B. and Ferreres, F (2018) 'HPLC-DAD-ESI/MS phenolic profile and in vitro biological potential of Centaurium erythraea Rafn aqueous extract', Food Chemistry, 278, pp. 424-433. doi:10.1016/j.foodchem.2018.11.082 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2018.11.082 - Mandova, T., Audo, G., Michel, S. and Grougnet, R (2017) 'Off-line coupling of new generation centrifugal partition chromatography device with preparative high pressure liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry triggering fraction collection applied to the recovery of secoiridoid glycosides from Centaurium erythraea Rafn. (Gentianaceae)', Journal of Chromatography A, 1513, pp. 149-156. doi:10.1016/j.chroma.2017.07.023 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chroma.2017.07.023 - European Medicines Agency (HMPC) (n.d.) 'Assessment report on Centaurium erythraea Rafn s.l., herba (Centaurii herba)'. Available at: https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/herbal-report/assessment-report-centaurium-erythraea-rafn-sl-herba_en.pdf Traditional / reference
https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/herbal-report/assessment-report-centaurium-erythraea-rafn-sl-herba_en.pdf - Herbal Reality (n.d.) 'Centaury (Centaurium erythraea): Benefits, Safety, Uses'. Available at: https://www.herbalreality.com/herb/centaury/ Traditional / reference
https://www.herbalreality.com/herb/centaury/ - European Medicines Agency (HMPC) (2015) 'European Union herbal monograph on Centaurium erythraea Rafn s.l., herba (Centaurii herba)'. Available at: https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/herbal-monograph/european-union-herbal-monograph-centaurium-erythraea-rafn-sl-herba_en.pdf Traditional / reference
https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/herbal-monograph/european-union-herbal-monograph-centaurium-erythraea-rafn-sl-herba_en.pdf
- Jalil, B., Pischel, I., Feistel, B., Suarez, C. and others (2024) 'Wild thyme (Thymus serpyllum L.): a review of the current evidence of nutritional and preventive health benefits', Frontiers in Nutrition, 11, pp. 1380962. doi:10.3389/fnut.2024.1380962 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2024.1380962 - Sonmezdag, A.S., Kelebek, H. and Selli, S (2016) 'Characterization of aroma-active and phenolic profiles of wild thyme (Thymus serpyllum) by GC-MS-Olfactometry and LC-ESI-MS/MS', Journal of Food Science and Technology, 53(4), pp. 1957-1965. doi:10.1007/s13197-015-2144-1 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1007/s13197-015-2144-1 - Pavlic, B., Mrkonjic, Z., Teslic, N., Kljakic, A.C. and others (2022) 'Natural Deep Eutectic Solvent (NADES) Extraction Improves Polyphenol Yield and Antioxidant Activity of Wild Thyme (Thymus serpyllum L.) Extracts', Molecules, 27(5), pp. 1508. doi:10.3390/molecules27051508 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules27051508 - Mrkonjic, Z., Kaplan, M., Milosevic, S., Bozovic, D. and others (2024) 'Green Extraction Approach for Isolation of Bioactive Compounds in Wild Thyme (Thymus serpyllum L.) Herbal Dust-Chemical Profile, Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Activity and Comparison with Conventional Techniques', Plants, 13(6), pp. 897. doi:10.3390/plants13060897 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13060897 - Sokolic-Mihalak, D., Frece, J., Slavica, A., Delas, F. and others (2012) 'The effects of wild thyme (Thymus serpyllum L.) essential oil components against ochratoxin-producing Aspergilli', Arhiv za Higijenu Rada i Toksikologiju, 63(4), pp. 457-462. doi:10.2478/10004-1254-63-2012-2309 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.2478/10004-1254-63-2012-2309 - Jaric, S., Mitrovic, M. and Pavlovic, P (2015) 'Review of Ethnobotanical, Phytochemical, and Pharmacological Study of Thymus serpyllum L', Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2015, pp. 101978. doi:10.1155/2015/101978 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1155/2015/101978 - Loziene, K., Vaiciuniene, J. and Venskutonis, P.R (1998) 'Chemical composition of the essential oil of creeping thyme (Thymus serpyllum s.l.) growing wild in Lithuania', Planta Medica, 64(8), pp. 772-773. doi:10.1055/s-2006-957582 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1055/s-2006-957582 - Raal, A., Paaver, U., Arak, E. and Orav, A (2004) 'Content and composition of the essential oil of Thymus serpyllum L. growing wild in Estonia', Medicina (Kaunas), 40(8), pp. 795-800. Preclinical
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Content%20and%20composition%20of%20the%20essential%20oil%20of%20Thymus%20serpyllum%20L.%20growing%20wild%20in%20Estonia - Bozkurt, E., Atmaca, H., Kisim, A., Uzunoglu, S. and others (2012) 'Effects of Thymus serpyllum extract on cell proliferation, apoptosis and epigenetic events in human breast cancer cells', Nutrition and Cancer, 64(8), pp. 1245-1250. doi:10.1080/01635581.2012.719658 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1080/01635581.2012.719658 - Jovanovic, A.A., Levic, S.M., Pavlovic, V.B., Markovic, S.B. and others (2021) 'Freeze vs. Spray Drying for Dry Wild Thyme (Thymus serpyllum L.) Extract Formulations: The Impact of Gelatin as a Coating Material', Molecules, 26(13), pp. 3933. doi:10.3390/molecules26133933 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules26133933 - European Medicines Agency (2010) 'Assessment report on Thymus vulgaris L., herba and Thymus zygis L., herba'. Traditional / reference
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Assessment%20report%20on%20Thymus%20vulgaris%20L.%2C%20herba%20and%20Thymus%20zygis%20L.%2C%20herba - Kempe, K., Doerfler, G., Bader, D. and Wicht, M (2011) 'Activity of Thymus serpyllum against oral pathogens', 9(1), pp. 23--28. Traditional / reference
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Activity%20of%20Thymus%20serpyllum%20against%20oral%20pathogens - Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (n.d.). Available at: https://powo.science.kew.org Traditional / reference
https://powo.science.kew.org - Duke, J.A (2002) 'Handbook of Medicinal Herbs, Second Edition'. Traditional / reference
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Handbook%20of%20Medicinal%20Herbs%2C%20Second%20Edition
Generated automatically from the Omnia Sana plant database and its cited sources. For educational purposes only — not medical advice. Always consult a qualified practitioner before using medicinal plants.