Thymus vulgaris L. Common thyme
Family: Labiatae
Description: “Variable shrub with grey-green leaves and white to pale purple flowers in summer. H 30-45cm, S 60cm.” (Bown, 1995)
Habitat: Native to Mediterranean region.
Harvest: Whole plants and flowering tops are collected in summer as flowering begins; sprigs are picked during the growing season.
Parts used: AERIAL PARTS
Dosage: 1:5 2-5ml, dried 3-5g daily;
Actions:
-ANTISEPTIC,
-EXPECTORANT
-SPASMOLYTIC,
-CARMINATIVE (Wren);
-ANTIFUNGAL,
-STIMULATING TONIC (AD);
-RUBIEFACIENT [increases blood flow to an area] topically (Ody);
Indications:
-*Productive cough,
-Bronchitis, whooping cough, asthma,
-Catarrh or inflammation of the upper respiratory tract,
-Gastrointestinal disorders including dyspepsia, colic, flatulence and diarrhoea, especially in children,
-Dysmenorrhoea,
-As an adjunct in convalescence (Mills and Bone);
External usage:
-As a gargle for tonsillitis,
-As a mouthwash to reduce oral bacteria,
-Topically for fungal and bacterial skin disorders (Mills and Bone);
-Use 1-2 drops of ESSENTIAL OIL as an inhalation for sinusitis and sore throats,
-Add a few drops to antiseptic and antifungal ointments to increase potency eg. cellulitis (AD);
Safety: Thyme oil can irritate the mucous membranes, so always dilute well (Ody).
Thyme can cause occupational asthma which has been confirmed by inhalation challenges (Mills and Bone).
Contra-indications: Before going to sleep; ‘speedy people’ (AD);
Key Constituents (Mills and Bone):
-Volatile oil, (1-2.5%) containing monoterpenes incl. thymol (30-70%) and carvacrol (70%),
-Flavonoids, incl. apigenin,
-Phenolic acids incl. rosmarinic acid, caffeic acid;
-Triterpenoids including oleanolic and ursolic acids,
-Tannins (AD);
Pharmacology: Most activity thought due to thymol which is antiseptic and expectorant; also spasmolytic, along with carvacrol. The flavonoid fraction also been shown to have potent effect on smooth muscle of guinea-pig tracheas and ileum. (Wren)
Thyme oil’s antifungal activity is well-supported. Rosmarinic acid shown to have antiallergic and anti-inflammatory activity. Thyme oil also seen to inhibit prostaglandin biosynthesis in vitro. For more details, see Mills and Bone p564-566.
The polyphenol constituents (phenolic acids and triterpenoids) have antioxidant actions (AD).
Clinical trials: Only *study above found.
Toxicology: LD50 of essential oil is 2.84g/kg in rats. Huge doses of thyme extract produced decreased locomotor activity and slight slowing down of respiration in mice. (Mills and Bone).
History: Thyme traditionally came to symbolise death, as with many sweet smelling plants, and the souls of the dead were thought to rest in the flowers. It is also used in many rituals by young women to ascertain their true love.
Under planetary rulership of Venus; with hot and dry qualities (Brooke).
Traditional and Practitioner sources:
“-Use an infusion for chest infections, stomach chills or irritable bowel.
-Use the tincture for diarrhoea associated with stomach chills or as an expectorant in chest infections.
-Use the infusion or diluted tincture as a gargle for sore throats.
-Dissolve 10 drops of ESSENTIAL OIL in 20ml of water, and apply to insect bites and infected wounds. Add 5 drops to bathwater for weakness and arthritic conditions.” Penelope Ody p104.
“As a germicide, it stands almost equal with garlic as an antiseptic. As a carminative, it ranks with chamomile. Even as an anti-inflammatory agent, it is strongly effective.
Thymol is especially effective against streptococcal infection in throat and progressing to kidneys…
Preventative treatment with thyme tea gargled and swallowed down should be health maintenance for all those who shout…or sing grand opera. For all of us , an occasional throat or laryngeal infection may occur or tonsillitis. Make a cup of thyme tea as soon as symptoms are noticed.” Dorothy Hall p289-290.
“…[Thyme] works particularly well for lung and kidney infections…It is a strong remedy andis best taken in short, sharp doses: that is for 7-10 days only at a time…and at the maximum, 3 consecutive weeks. If the infection has not cleared up by then, there are probably other factors that have not been addressed.
It is also the remedy of choice for cystitis, combined with bearberry. If taken, it will clear up the infection in 3-4 days with no need for antibiotics.” Elisabeth Brooke (Herbs, p79-80)
