Thyme essential oil : what it is for, properties, characteristics, where to buy it, price and information for internal use. All uses of thyme essential oil.
The thyme essential oil is extracted by distillation from species of common thyme, botanically Thymus vulgaris.
Thyme essential oil: uses
The uses of thyme essential oil are many. Its composition sees a high amount of thymol which, depending on the harvest period and cultivation, can vary from 20 to 54%. The essential oil of thyme contains a series of compounds as is-cymene, myrcene, borneol and linalool.
The thymol is a natural antiseptic and is a compound used in various industrial fields, probably are many products in your cabinets that include thymol among the ingredients! This compound is used for the manufacture of Listerine mouthwash .
Its antiseptic properties see it used in the production of alcohol-free hand sanitizers.
Before the advent of modern antibiotics, thyme essential oil was used for medical bandages and lowering the risk of infection in wounds.
The essential oil of thyme has been shown to be effective against various fungi enough to be considered an ancient natural remedy to counter the classic mycosis of the toenails.
Its antimicrobial properties make it a valid essence for healing sores, wounds, eczema, inflammation, erythema, dermatitis, canker sores and stomatitis.
Thyme essential oil for internal use
When it comes to essential oils for internal use it is difficult to establish dosages and effectiveness; as stated, the percentage composition of the active ingredients can vary a lot and with it also the effectiveness. In addition to the difficulty of establishing dosages, when it comes to essential oils for internal use, we must consider the toxicity of some compounds as well as the origin of the essential oil you have purchased. To benefit from the properties of thyme essential oil for internal use, rather than using the concentrate of active ingredients, you can act the “old way” by preparing an infusion of thyme.
The infusion made with thyme leaves is an old grandmother’s remedy to combat cough and bronchitis. This grandmother’s remedy finds certainties in science, its effectiveness in soothing cough and bronchitis.
In herbal medicine they recommend the use of thyme to soothe respiratory diseases (asthma, cough, bronchitis and other inflammations of the respiratory tract); the thymus would act by increasing the production of bronchial secretion and facilitating its expulsion (expectorant properties).
Who really does not want to do without the essential oil of thyme for internal use, the recommended dosage against cough is to take 2 – 3 drops of the oil together with a teaspoon of honey.
The properties of thyme essential oil
Many of the properties of thyme essential oil have been clarified since the paragraph dedicated to its uses ( what is the essential oil of thyme for ). To get specific, we will make a list of all the beneficial properties found – in different areas – in the essential oil of thyme.
- Diuretic properties
- Stimulants – Hypertensive – Astringents
- Liver tonic
- Anticatarrals and expectorants
- Antispasmodic
- Balancing (in aromatherapy)
- Antiseptic properties (antifungal, antibacterial, antimicrobial, antiputrefactive, antiparasitic …)
As is clear from its properties, thyme essential oil is considered useful in skin care, particularly against acne, eczema, oily skin, herpes, insect bites and fungal infections. A precaution of use is linked to the contraindications: some compounds of the essential oil of thyme can sensitize the skin. Thyme essential oil, like all other essential oils, should be used diluted and not pure. For dilutions we recommend sweet almond oil or avocado oil.
Where to buy thyme essential oil
Thyme essential oil, where to find it: this oil is easily available. Just contact your trusted herbalist or take advantage of the online purchase.
White thyme
So far we have talked about the essential oil of thyme extracted from the Thymus vulgaris plant. There is another noteworthy thyme essence, the one produced from the Thymus serpyllum species, better known as white thyme.
The essential oil of white thyme shares all the properties with the essential oil of thyme.
