Also Known As:
Common Thyme.
Scientific Name:
Thymus vulgaris; Thymus zygis.
Family: Lamiaceae/Labiatae.
People Use This For:
Orally, thyme is used for bronchitis, whooping cough, sore
throat.
Topically, thyme is used for laryngitis, tonsillitis, stomatitis,
and halitosis.
Safety:
Possibly Safe when used orally.145,146 Thyme has been
used safely for 10 days.146
Pregnancy and Lactation: Refer to a Medical Herbalist
Effectiveness:
INSUFFICIENT RELIABLE EVIDENCE to COMMENT
Bronchitis. Clinical research suggests thyme, in combination with
cowslip (Bronchipret), relieves symptoms of bronchitis such as
coughing, fever, and increased production of
sputum.146
Mechanism of Action:
The applicable parts of thyme are the leaf, flower, and oil.
Thyme contains the essential oils and several other constituents
It also contains flavonoids, polyphenolic acids and other
constituents.147,148
Thymol, the primary constituent of thyme is rapidly absorbed in
the upper gastrointestinal tract. Preliminary research suggests
that thyme has antimicrobial activity and modest antibacterial
effects.149,150 It also seems to have antiviral
activity.151 Other preliminary research suggests
thyme has activity against fungi such as Candida albicans and
other Candida species.
Thymol is active against fungal microorganisms that cause fungal
nail infections.152
Thyme and its constituents may have antioxidant
effects.149,153,154 The antioxidant effect of thyme
may increase the production of nitric oxide and improve
atherosclerosis and endothelial dysfunction.155
Research suggests thyme has antispasmodic, antiplatelet,
anti-inflammatory, and antiallergic
activity.156,157,158,159 Additionally, thyme might
improve wound healing.160
Adverse Reactions:
Orally, thyme is generally well tolerated. Gastrointestinal
adverse effects occur occasionally.146 Allergic
reactions are uncommon.148
Interactions with Herbs & Supplements:
None reported
Interactions with Drugs:
None reported
Interactions with Foods:
None known.
Interactions with Lab Tests:
None known.
Interactions with Diseases or Conditions:
None reported
Dosage/Administration:
Dr Clare’s Blends: 1 gm per day (3mls 1:3 Thyme tincture/day)
Oral: For the treatment of bronchitis, a combination of thyme 160
mg and cowslip 54 mg (Bronchipret) has been used three times
daily.146
Specific References: THYME
145. Hay IC, Jamieson M, Ormerod AD. Randomized trial of
aromatherapy. Successful treatment for alopecia areata. Arch
Dermatol 1998;134:1349-46.
146. Ernst E, Marz R, Sieder C. A controlled multi-centre study
of herbal versus synthetic secretolytic drugs for acute
bronchitis. Phytomedicine 1997;4:287-93.
147. Kitajima J, Ishikawa T, Urabe A, Satoh M. Monoterpenoids and
their glycosides from the leaf of thyme. Phytochemistry
2004;59:3279-87.
148. Spiewak R, Skorska C, Dutkiewicz J. Occupational airborne
contact dermatitis caused by thyme dust. Contact Dermatitis
2001;38:235-9.
149. Proestos C, Chorianopoulos N, Nychas GJ, Komaitis M. RP-HPLC
analysis of the phenolic compounds of plant extracts.
investigation of their antioxidant capacity and antimicrobial
activity.
J Agric Food Chem 2005;47:1190-5.
150. Hersch-Martinez P, Leanos-Miranda BE, Solorzano-Santos F.
Antibacterial effects of commercial essential oils over locally
prevalent pathogenic strains in Mexico. Fitoterapia
2005;76:453-7.
151. Kohlert C, Schindler G, Marz RW, et al. Systemic
availability and pharmacokinetics of thymol in humans. J Clin
Pharmacol 2002;36:731-7.
152. Ramsewak RS, Nair MG, Stommel M, Selanders L. In vitro
antagonistic activity of monoterpenes and their mixtures against
'toe nail fungus' pathogens. Phytother Res 2003;17:376-9.
153. Aydin S, Basaran AA, Basaran N. Modulating effects of
thyme and its major ingredients on oxidative DNA damage in human
lymphocytes. J Agric Food Chem 2005;47:1299-305.
154. Agbor GA, Oben JE, Ngogang JY, et al. Antioxidant capacity
of some herbs/spices from cameroon: a comparative study of two
methods. J Agric Food Chem 2005;47:6819-18.
155. Grande S, Bogani P, de Saizieu A, et al. Vasomodulating
potential of mediterranean wild plant extracts. J Agric Food Chem
2004;46:5021-6.
156. Meister A, Bernhardt G, Christoffel V, Buschauer A.
Antispasmodic activity of Thymus vulgaris extract on the isolated
guinea-pig trachea: discrimination between drug and ethanol
effects. Planta Med 1999;59:512-6.
157. Okazaki K, Kawazoe K, Takaishi Y. Human platelet aggregation
inhibitors from thyme (Thymus vulgaris L.). Phytother Res
2002;16:398-9.
158. Vigo E, Cepeda A, Gualillo O, Perez-Fernandez R. In-vitro
anti-inflammatory effect of Eucalyptus globulus and Thymus
vulgaris: nitric oxide inhibition in J774A.1 murine macrophages.
J Pharm Pharmacol 2004;50:257-57.
159. Watanabe J, Shinmoto H, Tsushida T. Coumarin and flavone
derivatives from estragon and thyme as inhibitors of chemical
mediator release from RBL-2H3 Cells. Biosci Biotechnol Biochem
2005;69:1-6.
160. Dursun N, Liman N, Ozyazgan I, et al. Role of thymus oil in
burn wound healing. J Burn Care Rehabil. 2003;18:395-9.