Shirazi Thyme

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Shirazi Thyme

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Zataria multiflora var. elatior
• Zataria bracteata

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Lamiales and the family Lamiaceae, it is classified under the genus Zataria. Specifically, its scientific name is Zataria multiflora.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical distribution across several key regions in Asia. Within Western Asia, it can be found growing in both Afghanistan and Iran. Its range extends into the Arabian Peninsula, specifically within the country of Oman. Furthermore, the species is present in the Indian Subcontinent, including parts of Pakistan. Finally, its habitat encompasses the mountainous terrain of the West Himalaya.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Zataria multiflora is characterized by its specific adaptation to montane environments, where it thrives within a defined altitudinal gradient. This species is primarily found in mountainous terrains, occupying an elevational range that spans from a minimum of 800 m AMSL to a maximum of 1700 m AMSL. Within this vertical distribution, the plant interacts with varying microclimates, typically favoring rocky slopes or shrublands that provide the necessary drainage and solar exposure required for its growth patterns. The environmental conditions within this 900-meter elevation window dictate the availability of moisture and temperature fluctuations, which significantly influence the plant's distribution and ecological success within its natural habitat.

Elevational range max:

1700 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

800 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Zataria multiflora is characterized by its classification as a chamaephyte, a life form that defines its survival strategy and growth habit within its natural habitat. As a chamaephyte, the plant maintains its perennating buds very close to the soil surface, often just above it, which allows it to endure environmental fluctuations and seasonal changes. This specific life form strategy indicates that the plant's regenerative organs are positioned at a low height, providing a balance between protection from harsh climatic conditions and the ability to quickly exploit favorable growing seasons. This physiological adaptation is central to its life cycle, ensuring its persistence in its native ecological niches.

Life form :

chamaephyte

Morphology

The morphology of Zataria multiflora is characterized by its growth habit as a self-supporting clamber, meaning it possesses the structural integrity to extend its stems without requiring external support, though it may lean against surrounding vegetation. As a non-parasitic species, the plant is entirely independent, relying on its own physiological processes for nutrition rather than deriving sustenance from a host organism. Furthermore, it is a terrestrial plant, establishing its root system directly within the soil rather than functioning as an epiphyte.

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Parasite :

independent

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Zataria multiflora has 1 reported plant parts identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf.

Leaf

1. Pharmacognosy magazine
2. Life (Basel, Switzerland)

Chemicals

Zataria multiflora has 15 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include THYMOL, CARVACROL, P-CYMENE, Betulin, Linalool.

THYMOL

1. Molecular biology reports
2. Chemistry & biodiversity
3. Journal of ethnopharmacology
4. The Journal of pharmacy and pharmacology
5. Journal of dietary supplements

CARVACROL

1. Molecular biology reports
2. Chemistry & biodiversity
3. Journal of ethnopharmacology
4. Journal of dietary supplements
5. Pharmaceutical biology

P-CYMENE

1. Chemistry & biodiversity
2. Pharmaceutical biology
3. BMC plant biology
4. Journal de mycologie medicale

Betulin

1. Dr. Duke
2. Bioorganic & medicinal chemistry

Linalool

1. Chemistry & biodiversity
2. Journal of investigative and clinical dentistry

Betulinic aldehyde

1. Bioorganic & medicinal chemistry

CATALASE

1. BMC complementary medicine and therapies

Carvacrol methyl ether

1. Journal de mycologie medicale

Flavonoids

1. Fundamental & clinical pharmacology

HEXYL BUTYRATE

1. Journal de mycologie medicale

Activities

Zataria multiflora has 27 reported activities identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Analgesic, Antimicrobial, Antiinflammatory, Anesthetic.

Antioxidant

1. CNS neuroscience & therapeutics
2. BMC complementary medicine and therapies
3. Iranian journal of basic medical sciences
4. Iranian journal of pharmaceutical research : IJPR
5. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Analgesic

1. Journal of integrative medicine
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology
3. Journal of dietary supplements

Antimicrobial

1. Journal of integrative medicine
2. Advanced pharmaceutical bulletin
3. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Antiinflammatory

1. Dr. Duke
2. CNS neuroscience & therapeutics

Anesthetic

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

AntiHIV

1. Dr. Duke

Anticarcinomic

1. Dr. Duke

Anticholinesterase

1. CNS neuroscience & therapeutics

Anticonvulsant

1. Central nervous system agents in medicinal chemistry

Antifeedant

1. Dr. Duke

Conditions

Zataria multiflora has 51 reported investigations on conditions identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include cough, oxidative stress, Echinococcus granulosus, insulin resistance, lung inflammation.

Cough

1. Journal of integrative medicine
2. BMC complementary medicine and therapies
3. Journal of ethnopharmacology
4. Fundamental & clinical pharmacology

Oxidative stress

1. Environmental science and pollution research international
2. Chinese journal of integrative medicine
3. BMC complementary medicine and therapies

Echinococcus granulosus

1. Life (Basel, Switzerland)
2. PloS one

Insulin resistance

1. Journal of integrative medicine
2. Complementary therapies in medicine

Lung inflammation

1. Environmental science and pollution research international
2. Fundamental & clinical pharmacology

Alzheimer's disease

1. CNS neuroscience & therapeutics

Candida

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Candida parapsilosis

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Enterococcus faecalis

1. Journal of investigative and clinical dentistry

Escherichia coli

1. Veterinary medicine and science

Preparations

Zataria multiflora has 18 reported preparations identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include essential oil, essential oils, EOs, Essential oils, Ethanolic Extract.

Essential oil

1. Journal of integrative medicine
2. Advanced pharmaceutical bulletin
3. Central nervous system agents in medicinal chemistry
4. Pharmaceutical biology
5. Fitoterapia

Essential oils

1. Jundishapur journal of microbiology
2. Recent patents on anti-infective drug discovery
3. Journal de mycologie medicale
4. Iranian journal of parasitology

Eos

1. Journal de mycologie medicale

Essential oils

1. PloS one

Ethanolic extract

1. Chinese journal of integrative medicine

Methanolic extracts

1. Iranian journal of pharmaceutical research : IJPR

Z. multiflora essential oil

1. Journal of investigative and clinical dentistry

Ethyl acetate fraction

1. Pharmaceutical biology

Extract

1. Journal of integrative medicine

Hydro-alcoholic extracts of leaves

1. Pharmacognosy magazine