Thyme

Thymus spp

Thyme oil is obtained from the flowering tops of the plants by steam distillation. Thymus vulnaris (a Labiate) produces plants with several different components, divisible roughly into red and sweet thymes. Sweet thymes contain mostly alcohols, red ones containing predominantly phenols. The two types of oil are completely different; sweet thyme being able to be used on children and red thyme needing care in use because of its high phenol content. When thyme plants are grown from the seeds of either red or sweet thymes, the plants which grow are a mixture of all six types of T.Vulgaris. The essential oil from a field of these plants is called 'population thyme' and contains both phenols and alcohols. To obtain a specific red or sweet thyme, it is necessary to identify plants and grow what you want from cuttings. This is called cloning.

Red Thyme

Carvacrol and thymol clones

Red thyme is used extensively in cooking as well as in medicine; it is a very strong antiseptic and is effective in the control of many parasites. It is said to stimulate the production of white corpuscles in the blood in infectious diseases and is also an excellent nerve tonic.

Sweet Thyme

Iinalool, neraniol, thujanol clones

Sweet thyme has many therapeutic properties, being helpful for headaches, especially nervous headaches. It is a gentle and effective oil and can be used with safety on young children.

General properties

• tonic
• stimulant
• stomachic
• digestive
• antispasmodic
• antiviral
• warming

Blends well with

• bergamot
• geranium
• lemon
• melissa
• rosemary
• sandalwood

General uses

• poor circulation
• anemia
• gout
• low blood pressure
• anorexia
• urinary tract infections
• mouth infections
• rheumatism
• nervous exhaustion
• colds
• coughs
• poor memory
• arthritis
• asthma
• whooping cough
• glandular fever
• rhinitis
• aches and pains
• boils
• carbuncles
• dandruff
• depression
• flatulence
• immune system
• irritability
• myalgic encephalomyelitis
• scabies
• sinusitis
• wounds and sores
• flu
• pneumonia
• halitosis
• stings and bites
• bruises
• indigestion
• liver tonic
• mumps
• hair loss

Caution

Not to be used by children, hypertensives, or pregnant women. Use only with professional guidance.