Thyme

Effects and Benefits

Core Identification

Common Names:
- Thyme
- Garden thyme
- Common thyme
- French thyme
- Red thyme (essential oil)
- White thyme (essential oil)

Latin Name: Thymus vulgaris

Category: Herb

Uses

Traditional Uses

• Respiratory infections, coughs, and colds - European folk medicine, used for centuries
• Digestive aid for flatulence, colic, and sluggish digestion - Traditional Western herbalism
• Antiseptic for wounds, sores, and infections - Medieval European medicine
• Embalming and preservation - Ancient Egyptian practice
• Courage and protection - Ancient Greek tradition (burned in temples)
• Meat preservation and food safety - Pre-refrigeration culinary practice

Modern Uses

• Productive cough and bronchitis - Expectorant that loosens thick, sticky phlegm and creates productive coughs | Research quality: Strong
• Key findings: A randomized, double-blind study of 60 patients with productive cough found thyme syrup as effective as bromhexine over 5 days. The spasmolytic effect on tracheal muscle may work by inhibiting calcium ion flux.

• Source citations: Bone (A Clinical Guide to Blending Liquid Herbs); WRCHM Western Materia Medica II

• Antimicrobial and antifungal activity - Effective against bacteria, fungi, and viruses | Research quality: Strong

• Key findings: Thymol and carvacrol demonstrate broad-spectrum activity against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria including H. pylori, Staphylococcus, Salmonella, and oral pathogens. Effective against Candida species and dermatophytes causing nail fungus. Shown effective against influenza A virus.

• Source citations: WRCHM Western Materia Medica II; Chevallier (Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine)

• Antioxidant and anti-aging effects - Protects cells and supports healthy aging | Research quality: Moderate

• Key findings: Thymol inhibits oxidation of low-density lipoproteins. Rosmarinic acid decreases superoxide radical production. Research suggests thyme may help maintain higher levels of essential fatty acids in the brain.

• Source citations: Chevallier (Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine); WRCHM Western Materia Medica II

• Digestive support - Relieves dyspepsia, flatulence, and intestinal discomfort | Research quality: Moderate

• Key findings: Flavonoids have relaxing effects in the gut, relieving wind, colic, and IBS. Astringent tannins protect the gut from irritation. Antimicrobial oils fight gastric infections including gastroenteritis.

• Source citations: McIntyre (The Complete Herbal Tutor); Lust (The Herb Book)

• Menstrual pain relief - Antispasmodic action relieves cramps | Research quality: Moderate

• Key findings: A 2014 Iranian clinical trial compared thyme to ibuprofen for menstrual pain, finding both treatments equally effective.

• Source citations: Chevallier (Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine)

• Immune system support - Stimulates white blood cell production | Research quality: Preliminary

• Key findings: Thyme stimulates production of white corpuscles, strengthening the body's resistance to invading organisms. May be particularly helpful for those with weakened immunity after repeated antibiotic use.
• Source citations: Davis (Aromatherapy an A-Z); de la Forêt (Alchemy of Herbs)

Active Compounds

Primary Active Ingredients:
- Thymol (up to 60% of volatile oil) - Primary antiseptic, antifungal, and antibacterial compound; used pharmaceutically in mouthwashes and surgical dressings
- Carvacrol - Powerful antimicrobial with broad-spectrum activity against bacteria and fungi
- Rosmarinic acid - Antioxidant that inhibits complement activation and lipid peroxidation; anti-inflammatory
- Flavonoids (luteolin, eriodictyol) - Antispasmodic effects on smooth muscle; anti-mutagenic properties
- Terpenes (terpinene, cymene, borneol, linalol) - Contribute to aromatic and therapeutic properties
- Tannins - Astringent action; protects mucous membranes
- Phenolic acids (caffeic acid) - Antioxidant activity

Dosage Information

Standard Dosage:
- Form: Dried herb infusion
- Amount: ½ teaspoon fresh herb or 1 teaspoon dried herb in ½ cup water
- Frequency: 1 to 1½ cups per day, a mouthful at a time

Therapeutic Dosage:
- Form: 1:2 Liquid extract
- Amount: 2-6 ml per day (15-40 ml per week)
- Purpose: Respiratory infections, bronchitis, digestive complaints
- Duration: Acute use for duration of symptoms; consult practitioner for extended use

Alternative Forms:
- Oil: 2-3 drops on a sugar cube, two to three times daily
- Tincture/Extract: 10-20 drops, three times daily
- Bath additive: Strong decoction added to bath water

Maximum Safe Dosage:
- Daily maximum: 6 ml of 1:2 liquid extract
- Warning threshold: Excessive use can overstimulate the thyroid gland

Bioavailability Notes:
- Fresh plant preparations more effective for spasmodic complaints
- Thymol and carvacrol are well-absorbed through mucous membranes
- Different chemotypes (thymol, linalol, thuyanol) have varying potencies and safety profiles

How to Take It

Timing:
- Can be taken any time of day
- For digestive complaints, take before or with meals
- For respiratory conditions, take throughout the day as needed
- For sleep support, thyme bath in evening

Synergies - What It Works Well With

Complementary Supplements:
1. Elderberry - Combined respiratory support for colds and flu | Enhanced immune and antiviral effects
2. Licorice root - Soothing expectorant combination | Licorice soothes while thyme disinfects
3. Honey - Traditional cough syrup base | Honey's demulcent action complements thyme's expectorant properties
4. Eucalyptus - Steam inhalation blend | Enhanced decongestant and antimicrobial action
5. Oregano - Antimicrobial combination | Synergistic broad-spectrum activity

Avoidance - What NOT to Combine With

Supplement Interactions:
1. Other thyroid-stimulating herbs - May compound thyroid stimulation | Risk of hyperthyroid symptoms with prolonged use

Drug Interactions:
1. Anticoagulant/antiplatelet medications - Thyme may affect blood clotting | Potential increased bleeding risk | Severity level: Moderate
2. Thyroid medications - Thyme may stimulate thyroid function | May interfere with thyroid regulation | Severity level: Moderate
3. Estrogen-containing medications - Potential hormonal interaction | Use with caution | Severity level: Mild

Food Interactions:
- No significant food interactions documented at culinary doses

Safety Information

Contraindications:
- Pregnancy (avoid large therapeutic doses; culinary amounts considered safe)
- Hyperthyroid conditions (may overstimulate thyroid gland)
- Known allergy to thyme or other Lamiaceae family plants

Side Effects:
- Rare: Allergic contact dermatitis (5% positive reaction in patch testing)
- Rare: Occupational asthma from inhaling thyme dust
- Excessive use: Symptoms of poisoning, thyroid overstimulation

Long-Term Use:
- Therapeutic doses: Use under practitioner guidance for extended periods
- Culinary amounts: Safe for long-term use
- Monitor thyroid function with prolonged high-dose use

Special Precautions:
- Children: Use only thyme linalol chemotype for children; standard thyme oil may be too strong
- Topical use: Never apply undiluted essential oil to skin; dilute to 5% maximum
- Essential oil: Red thyme and high-thymol chemotypes can irritate mucous membranes and cause dermal irritation

Primary Uses At-a-Glance

Primary: Coughs and bronchitis, respiratory infections, antimicrobial/antiseptic, digestive support, immune enhancement

Secondary: Sore throat and laryngitis, urinary tract infections, fungal infections (topical), mouth and gum health, menstrual cramps

Sources

Local Library:
- Bone, Kerry - A Clinical Guide to Blending Liquid Herbs
- McIntyre, Anne - The Complete Herbal Tutor
- WRCHM - Western Materia Medica II
- Chevallier, Andrew - Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine
- Davis, Patricia - Aromatherapy an A-Z
- Lust, John - The Herb Book
- de la Forêt, Rosalee - Alchemy of Herbs
- Lawless, Julia - The Encyclopedia of Essential Oils
- Gehring, Abigail - The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Natural Remedies
- Pursell, J. J. - The Herbal Apothecary
- Worwood, Valerie Ann - The Complete Book of Essential Oils and Aromatherapy
- Price, Shirley - Aromatherapy Workbook
- Schnaubelt, Kurt - The Healing Intelligence of Essential Oils

General Knowledge:
- British Herbal Pharmacopoeia (BHP)
- British Pharmaceutical Codex 1949
- Traditional Western herbal medicine