Thyme Essential Oil
Historically, fresh and dried Thyme as well as the essential oil have been used to help ward off bacteria and viruses. Of the most commonly available Thyme Essential Oils, Thyme ct linalool tends to be amongst the most gentle and safe while Thyme ct thymol contains more thymol and can be a more potent antibacterial/antiviral oil.
Constituent and safety information varies depending on the specific chemotype of Thyme Oil used.
Some companies offer a "benchmark" Thyme Essential Oil that combines several thyme chemotypes. Benchmark Thyme Essential Oil is gaining attention for its potential in combating MRSA.
Botanical Name
Thymus vulgaris/ Thymus zygis
Common Method of Extraction
Steam Distilled
Plant Part Typically Used
Leaves and Flowers/Buds
Color
Pale Yellow
(May Vary, Depending on Specific Botanical, Chemotype and Distillation)
Consistency
Medium and Slightly Oily
Perfumery Note
Middle
Strength of Initial Aroma
Medium - Strong
Aromatic Description
Fresh, medicinal, herbaceous.
Thyme Essential Oil Uses
Within Aromatherapy vs MRSA, Maggie Tisserand identifies and discusses Thyme as one of the three key essential oils that have the potential to combat MRSA. Julia Lawless lists these as other uses for Thyme Oil: Arthritis, colds, cuts, dermatitis, flu, insect bites, laryngitis, lice, muscle aches, oily skin, poor circulation, scabies, sore throat. [Julia Lawless, The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Essential Oils (Rockport, MA: Element Books, 1995), 57-67.]
Thyme (Thymus vulgaris, ct thymol) Major Constituents
Thymol
p-Cymene
Carvacrol
Gamma-Terpinene
B-Caryophyllene
Linalool
a-Pinene
a-Terpinene
See Essential Oil Safety for constituent list for Thymus zygis, ct thymol.
[B.M. Lawrence, Progress in Essential Oils. (Perfumer & Flavorist 20 no. 3, 1995), 67. B.M. Lawrence, Progress in Essential Oils. (Perfumer & Flavorist 23 no. 1, 1998), 42-46. Source cited in Robert Tisserand and Rodney Young, Essential Oil Safety (Second Edition. United Kingdom: Churchill Livingstone Elsevier, 2014), 452-453.]
Thyme (Thymus vulgaris, ct thymol) Safety Information
Tisserand and Young indicate that there is moderate risk for mucous membrane irritation, it may inhibit blood clotting and pose a drug interaction hazard. There is a low risk of skin sensitization, and Tisserand and Young recommend a dermal maximum of 1.3%. Reading Tisserand and Young's full profile is recommended. [Robert Tisserand and Rodney Young, Essential Oil Safety (Second Edition. United Kingdom: Churchill Livingstone Elsevier, 2014), 452-454.]
Because this essential oil poses a higher risk of causing irritation and sensitization, it is recommended that it be avoided in the bath, even if it is solubilized/diluted.
Thyme (Thymus zygis, ct linalool) Major Constituents
Linalool
Linalyl acetate
a-Terpineol+borneol
Thumo
p-Cymene
B-Caryophyllene
Camphene
Carvacrol
B-Mycrene
[B.M. Lawrence, Essential Oils 1981-1987 (Wheaton: Allured Publishing, 1989), 106. A. Velasco-Neguerela, M.J. Perez-Alonso. Nuevos Datos Sobre la Composicion Quimica de Aceites Essenciales Procedentes de Tomillos Ibericos. (Botanica Complutensis 16, 1990), 91-97. Sources cited in Robert Tisserand and Rodney Young, Essential Oil Safety (Second Edition. United Kingdom: Churchill Livingstone Elsevier, 2014), 451.]
Thyme (Thymus zygis, ct linalool) Safety Information
Tisserand and Young do not indicate any special precautions when using Thyme ct linalool. Reading Tisserand and Young's full profile is recommended. [Robert Tisserand and Rodney Young, Essential Oil Safety (Second Edition. United Kingdom: Churchill Livingstone Elsevier, 2014), 451.]
Refer to the second edition of Essential Oil Safety for coverage of other Thyme Oil chemotypes.
General Safety Information
Do not take any oils internally and do not apply undiluted essential oils, absolutes, CO2s or other concentrated essences onto the skin without advanced essential oil knowledge or consultation from a qualified aromatherapy practitioner. For general dilution information, read AromaWeb's Guide to Diluting Essential Oils. If you are pregnant, epileptic, have liver damage, have cancer, or have any other medical problem, use oils only under the proper guidance of a qualified aromatherapy practitioner. Use extreme caution when using oils with children and be sure to first read the recommended dilution ratios for children. It is safest to consult a qualified aromatherapy practitioner before using oils with children, the elderly, if you have medical issues or are taking medications. Before using this or any essential oil, carefully read AromaWeb's Essential Oil Safety Information page. For in-depth information on oil safety issues, read Essential Oil Safety by Robert Tisserand and Rodney Young.
Shelf Life
Important Information About the Profiles
The essential oil information provided on AromaWeb is intended for educational purposes only. The references to safety information, constituents and percentages is generalized information. The data is not necessary complete and is not guaranteed to be accurate. The essential oil photos are intended to represent the typical and approximate color of each essential oil. However, essential oil color can vary based on harvesting, distillation, age of the essential oil and other factors. Profiles for several absolutes are included within the directory, and are denoted as such.
Essential Oil Book Suggestions
Click on a book's title to view details and read a full review for the book. Visit AromaWeb's Books area to find details about many other essential oil and aromatherapy books.
Own Safety Profiles for 400 Essential Oils and 206 Constituents:
Essential Oil Safety: A Guide for Health Care Professionals
Authors: Robert Tisserand and Rodney Young
The Complete Book Of Essential Oils & Aromatherapy
Author: Valerie Ann Worwood
The Complete Aromatherapy & Essential Oils Handbook for Everyday Wellness
Author: Nerys Purchon and Lora Cantele
The Heart of Aromatherapy
Author: Andrea Butje
