Thym

Related Terms

Acetophenone glycosides, Acinos alpinus, alpha-terpinene, alpine thyme inflorescences, (-)-angelicoidenol-beta-D-glucopyranoside, Ankaferd blood stopper?, apigenin, black thyme, borneol, camphor, carvacrol, Cervitec?, cineole, cis-myrtanol, common garden thyme, common thyme, creeping thyme, English thyme, epoxythymol-diesters, eriodictyol, essential oil, ethyl-N-dimethyl ether of thymol fumarate, farigola, flavones, flavonoids, folia Thymi, French thyme, gamma-terpinene, garden thyme, Gartenthymian (German), geraniol thyme, glucopyranoside, glucopyranosylthymoquinol, herba Thymi, herba timi, hydroxyjasmone, Iberian thymus, iodine, iodinized oil of thymol, iodized thymol, iron, Jeju, kochi thyme, Labiatae (family), Lamiaceae (family), linalool, luteolin, luteolin 7-glucuronide, mercury thymol (merthiolate), Moroccan endemic thyme, mother of thyme, N-thymol compounds, oleanolic acid, oxalate, para-methyl-isopropyl-phenol, paramethyl-isopropyl-phenol, p-cymene, phenols, quinine thymolate, red thyme, rosmarinic acid, (R)-p-cymen-9-yl beta-D-glucopyranoside, rubbed thyme, salicylates, saponins, Sardinian thymus, serpyllium, shepherd's thyme, silver thymol sulfone, Spanish thyme, Spanish thyme oil, tannins, taxifolin, ten, tepal (thymol ester of palmitic acid), terpenoids, terpinyl acetate, thick leaf thyme, THPI, thym (French), thyme aetheroleum, thyme honey, thyme oil, thyme red, thyme red oil, thyme white essential oil, thyme white oil, Thymi herba, Thymian (German), thymodihydroquinone, thymodrosine balsam, thymodrosine suppositories, thymol, thymol glucuronide, thymol iodide, thymol iodine, thymol-p-phenylazobenzoate, thymol silver sulfone, thymol-sodium hypochlorite, thymol sulfone silver salt, thymol-sulfuric acid, thymolan, Thymus aureopunctatus, Thymus broussonetii, Thymus caespititius, Thymus capitatus, Thymus caramanicus, Thymus cilicicus, Thymus citriodorus, Thymus daenensis, Thymus eigii, Thymus eriocalyx, Thymus fontanesii, Thymus hyemalis, Thymus hyemalis, Thymus kotschyanus, Thymus longicaulis, Thymus longicaulis subsp. chaubardii var. chaubardii, Thymus longicaulis subsp. longicaulis var. subisophyllus, Thymus macedonicus, Thymus magnus, Thymus malyi, Thymus marshallianus, Thymus mastichina, Thymus mongolicus, Thymus numidicus, Thymus origanium, Thymus pectinatus, Thymus persicus, Thymus piperella, Thymus polytrichus, Thymus praecox, Thymus pubescens, Thymus pulegioides, Thymus pulvinatus, Thymus quinquecostatus, Thymus richardii, Thymus serpylloides ssp. gadorensis, Thymus serpyllum, Thymus serpyllum ssp. tanaenis, Thymbra spicata, Thymus tosevii, Thymus x-porlock, Thymus zygis, Thymus zygioides var. lycaonicus, time, timo, TV-3-IIIA-IIa, ursolic acid, white thyme oil, wild thyme, wild thyme hydrosol, wild thyme oil.
Note: There are up to 400 subspecies of thyme. Common thyme (Thymus vulgaris) and Spanish thyme (Thymus zygis) are often used interchangeably for medicinal purposes. Common thyme is not to be confused with calamint (calamintha ascendens, basil thyme), thyme basil (Acinos suaveolens), cat thyme (Teucrium polium), mountain thyme (Hedeoma multiflora Benth.), water thyme (Hydrilla verticillata), Spanish Origanum majorana (Thymus mastichina), or with Spanish origanum oil (Thymus capitatus, Sicilian thyme, Spanish thyme). This monograph is primarily concerned with Thymus vulgaris, although other species may be mentioned when summarizing the relevant literature.

Background

Thyme (Thymus vulgaris) is a perennial subshrub native to the Mediterranean and commercially cultivated in many European countries, as well as Morocco and the United States. Thyme is also collected wild from European countries, such as Albania and Bulgaria. Spanish thyme (Thymus zygis) is often used interchangeably with Thymus vulgaris for medicinal purposes.
Thyme has been used medicinally for thousands of years. Beyond its common culinary application, it has been used for many indications, based upon proposed antimicrobial, antitussive, spasmolytic, and antioxidant activity. Thymol, one of the constituents of thyme, is contained in antiseptic mouthwashes, with limited supportive evidence for reductions in plaque formation, gingivitis, and caries.
Traditional uses of thyme include coughs and upper respiratory congestion, and it continues to be one of the most commonly recommended herbs in Europe for these indications. The German Commission E (expert panel) has approved thyme for symptoms of bronchitis, whooping cough, and catarrh (inflammation of upper respiratory tract mucous membranes).
Experts have recommended the use of thymol in treatment of actinomycosis (lumpy jaw disease), onycholysis (separation or loosening of a fingernail or toenail from its nail bed), and paronychia (inflammation of the tissue surrounding a fingernail or toenail), due to its antifungal properties.

Evidence Table

These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. GRADE *
These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. GRADE *


In preliminary research, thyme essential oil in aromatherapy, in combination with massage, was not shown to have an effect on agitation in patients with dementia. Further research is needed.

 C


In preliminary research, thyme essential oil in aromatherapy, in combination with massage, was not shown to have an effect on agitation in patients with dementia. Further research is needed.

 C


There is currently insufficient data on the use of topical thyme oil for alopecia areata. Combination preparations of essential oils including thyme have been evaluated, without definitive results. Research is needed using thyme alone (not in any combination products).

 C


There is currently insufficient data on the use of topical thyme oil for alopecia areata. Combination preparations of essential oils including thyme have been evaluated, without definitive results. Research is needed using thyme alone (not in any combination products).

 C


Thyme has traditionally been used for the treatment of respiratory conditions, including cough and bronchitis. The German Commission E (expert panel) has approved thyme for use in bronchitis. However, due to a lack of available data evaluating thyme alone (and not in any combination products), additional study is needed to make a conclusion.

 C


Thyme has traditionally been used for the treatment of respiratory conditions, including cough and bronchitis. The German Commission E (expert panel) has approved thyme for use in bronchitis. However, due to a lack of available data evaluating thyme alone (and not in any combination products), additional study is needed to make a conclusion.

 C


One of thyme's main constituents, thymol, has been shown to have antibacterial effects. Thymol is included as one of several ingredients in antiseptic mouthwashes such as Listerine?. Clinical studies have reported efficacy of Listerine? in decreasing plaque formation and gingivitis, although human evidence for thymol alone is limited. Further research is needed.

 C


One of thyme's main constituents, thymol, has been shown to have antibacterial effects. Thymol is included as one of several ingredients in antiseptic mouthwashes such as Listerine?. Clinical studies have reported efficacy of Listerine? in decreasing plaque formation and gingivitis, although human evidence for thymol alone is limited. Further research is needed.

 C


Historically, thyme has been used topically for a number of skin conditions. Results of available studies are inconclusive. Additional research is needed in this area.

 C


Historically, thyme has been used topically for a number of skin conditions. Results of available studies are inconclusive. Additional research is needed in this area.

 C
* Key to grades

A: Strong scientific evidence for this use
B: Good scientific evidence for this use
C: Unclear scientific evidence for this use
D: Fair scientific evidence for this use (it may not work)
F: Strong scientific evidence against this use (it likley does not work)
* Key to grades

A: Strong scientific evidence for this use
B: Good scientific evidence for this use
C: Unclear scientific evidence for this use
D: Fair scientific evidence for this use (it may not work)
F: Strong scientific evidence against this use (it likley does not work)

Tradition / Theory

The below uses are based on tradition, scientific theories, or limited research. They often have not been thoroughly tested in humans, and safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. There may be other proposed uses that are not listed below.

Dosing

Adults (18 years and older)
There is no proven safe or effective dose for thyme or thymol in adults. Thyme has been taken by mouth as a tea, liquid extract, and tincture. On the skin, ointments and compresses have been used. Thyme oil is considered to be highly toxic and should not be taken internally.
For cough, syrup of thyme has been taken by mouth for five days.
For upper respiratory tract infection, traditional uses include drinking tea, made by steeping 1-2 grams of dried herb in 150 milliliters of boiling water for 10 minutes, several times daily as needed for symptom alleviation. Other examples include 1-2 grams of extract in fluid or one cup of water up to three times daily; 20-40 drops of liquid extract (1:1 weight/volume of fresh leaf or 1:4 of dried leaf) three times daily in juice; or 40 drops of tincture (1:10 in 70% ethanol) up to three times daily.
For agitation in dementia, thyme oil placed on an absorbent fabric sachet and pinned near the collarbone every three hours for two weeks has been used.

Safety

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not strictly regulate herbs and supplements. There is no guarantee of strength, purity or safety of products, and effects may vary. You should always read product labels. If you have a medical condition, or are taking other drugs, herbs, or supplements, you should speak with a qualified healthcare provider before starting a new therapy. Consult a healthcare provider immediately if you experience side effects.

Interactions

Interactions with Drugs
Thyme may increase the risk of bleeding when taken with drugs that increase the risk of bleeding. Some examples include aspirin, anticoagulants (blood thinners) such as warfarin (Coumadin?) or heparin, antiplatelet drugs such as clopidogrel (Plavix?), and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen (Motrin?, Advil?) or naproxen (Naprosyn?, Aleve?).
Thyme may lower blood sugar levels. Caution is advised when using medications that may also lower blood sugar. Patients taking insulin or drugs for diabetes by mouth should be monitored closely by a qualified healthcare professional, including a pharmacist. Medication adjustments may be necessary.
Thyme may interfere with the way the body processes certain drugs using the liver's cytochrome P450 enzyme system. As a result, the levels of these drugs may be increased in the blood and may cause increased effects or potentially serious adverse reactions. Patients using any medications should check the package insert and speak with a qualified healthcare professional, including a pharmacist, about possible interactions.
Thyme may cause low blood pressure. Caution is advised in patients taking drugs that lower blood pressure.
Thyme may increase the amount of drowsiness caused by some drugs. Examples include benzodiazepines such as lorazepam (Ativan?) or diazepam (Valium?), barbiturates such as phenobarbital, narcotics such as codeine, some antidepressants, central nervous system depressants, sedatives, and alcohol. Caution is advised while driving or operating machinery.
Thyme may also interact with 5-fluorouracil, Alzheimer's agents, analgesics (pain relievers), antibiotics, anticancer agents, antifungals, anti-inflammatory agents, antiprotozoals, antispasmodic agents, antithyroid agents, antivirals, bethanechol, bosentan, caffeine, cardiovascular agents, cholesterol-lowering agents, cholinesterase inhibitors, cough medications, dental agents, drugs that affect GABA, drugs used for osteoporosis, hormonal agents, hydrocortisone, hydrophilic drugs, immune suppressants, ketoprofen, muscle relaxants, naproxen, nitrendipine, piroxicam, salicylates, tamoxifen, thyroid hormones, and vasodilators (agents that increase dilation of blood vessels).

Attribution

This information is based on a systematic review of scientific literature edited and peer-reviewed by contributors to the Natural Standard Research Collaboration (www.naturalstandard.com).

Bibliography

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