Updated 29 January 2024
Botanical characteristics
- Kingdom: Plantae
- Division: Magnoliophyta
- Class: Magnoliopsida
- Order: Lamiales
- Family: Lamiaceae
- Genus: Thymus
- Part used: Flower / Plant
- Country of origin: Mediterranean region
Precautions for use
Caution! When used externally or internally, especially in cooking, thyme essential oil containing thymol must be used with caution.
It is very dermocaustic and should be used diluted to 5% by the dermal route.
It is reserved for adults and adolescents and should not be inhaled.
People with asthma or epilepsy should seek medical advice before using this essential oil.
Other precautions
Warning:
- Thyme essential oil with thymol can only be taken orally by prescription.
- People with asthma should seek medical advice before using this essential oil.
- Avoid using this essential oil if you have heart problems.
Cutaneous use:
- Thyme essential oil with thymol should be diluted to 5% for use on the skin (5% essential oil in 95% vegetable oil).
Diffusion:
- Thyme essential oil with thymol should not be diffused pure, but diluted between 5 and 10% in other essential oils.
Allergenic components:
Thyme essential oil with thymol contains biochemical allergenic components:
- Linalool (2-7%)
- Limonene (≤ 2%)
- Geraniol (≤ 0.5%)
Note: It is best to test the essential oil before use (two drops on the crease of the elbow for at least 24 hours to check for a reaction).
Authorised users
How to use
Risks of use
Cortisone-like
Skin irritation
Pure dermocautic
Respiratory irritant
Hepatotoxic
NeurotoxicProperties
- Important broad-spectrum anti-infective
- Antifungal, antifungal
- Antiparasitic
- Spasmolytic
- Immunostimulant
- Digestive tonic: carminative, cholagogue, aperitif
Indications
- Bronchitis
- Sinusitis
- Angina
- Laryngitis
- Flu
- Rhinitis
- Gastroenteritis
- Tourista
- Infectious diarrhoea
- Amoebiasis
- Food poisoning
- Candidiasis
- Intestinal worms
- Asthenia, Fatigue
- Fever
- Cystitis
- Ulcers
- Infectious skin diseases
- Panaris
- Dermatitis
- Wounds
Directions for use/usual dosage
- To clear the airways: massage 5 to 10 drops of Thymol Thyme in 20ml of vegetable oil onto the back and chest 2 to 3 times a day. Can be combined with Eucalyptus radiata and Ravintsara.
- For fungal infections, massage a few drops of thyme with tea tree and rose geranium in vegetable oil into the affected area.
- To combat winter infections, colds and physical and mental fatigue: a few drops of Thymol Thyme EO diluted in vegetable oil (maximum 5%), massaged into the solar plexus 2 or 3 times a day.