Thyme (Thymus vulgaris) is a member of the Lamiaceae plant family; it is native to the Mediterranean region but is now found in Algeria, Turkey, Tunisia, the USA, Russia, central Europe, China and Israel. It was a medicinal herb which was known to many ancient civilizations and was known to Hippocrates, the 'father of medicine'.
Characteristics of the Herb Thyme
Thyme is a perennial, evergreen herb which grows up to 18 inches high; the leaves of thyme are highly aromatic and are small, oval shaped and gray-green in color. The flowers of thyme are white or pale pink/purple. Thyme is so-called because of its fragrant aroma – it takes its name from the Greek word thymos which means to perfume.
Extraction of Thyme Essential Oil
Thyme (Thymus vulgaris) produces a number of essential oils; depending on the location in which the plant is grown, the thyme essential oil extracted may exhibit different chemical compositions. The most common thyme oil for aromatherapy use is sweet (common) thyme essential oil; red thyme essential oil is more aggressive in its chemical make-up. There are also other varieties of essential oils produced from the distillation of the herb thyme and it is important to correctly identify each essential oil before using.
How to Identify Thyme Essential Oil
Thyme essential oil is water or steam distilled from the fresh or dried flowers or leaves of the plant. Red thyme (Thymus vulgaris ct thymol) is the crude distillate of the distillation process; common or sweet thyme (Thymus vulgaris ct linalool) is the 'second' distillation of the herb. Sweet thyme essential oil is yellow in color with a sweet, herbaceous aroma; red thyme essential oil is brown-orange in color with a spicy, herbaceous aroma.
The Use of Sweet Thyme Oil in Aromatherapy
Sweet thyme essential oil is highly antiseptic, anti-inflammatory and anti-viral in its actions. Sweet thyme essential oil is used to treat bronchitis, eczema, rheumatism, psoriasis, viral infections, insomnia, poor circulation, anxiety, sinusitis and it is used as uterine tonic in childbirth. During World War I, sweet thyme was used as disinfectant in hospitals due to its powerful antiseptic properties.
The Use of Red Thyme Oil in Aromatherapy
Red Thyme essential oil is anti-bacterial, anti-infectious, anti-fungal, a mental stimulant, antiseptic, expectorant and mucolytic; in aromatherapy, it is used to treat sinusitis, influenza, tonsillitis, rheumatism, asthma, sciatica, depression, stress, acne and wounds. Red thyme essential oil has strong antiseptic properties but has a number of cautions for its use.
Cautions for Using Thyme Essential Oil
Sweet, or common, thyme essential oil is less toxic than red thyme essential oil; it is a non-irritant. Sweet thyme essential oil is made up mainly of alcohols, making it a more gentle option to use with the elderly and children. However, sweet thyme essential oil is still contra-indicated for use with high blood pressure and in pregnancy (until the onset of labor, as it is a uterine tonic).
Red thyme essential oil is primarily composed of the chemical component of phenols, making it more likely to cause skin irritations, and therefore it should be used with caution; it should also be avoided in pregnancy and by those with high blood pressure. As is the case when using any essential oil, care should be taken and professional advice taken for the use of a particular essential oil with individuals.
References:
Caddy, Rosemary 1997 Essential Oils in Colour UK: Amberwood Publishing Ltd
Davis, Patricia 1999 Aromatherapy An A-Z UK: Vermillion
Lawless, Julia 1995 The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Essential Oils UK:Thorsons
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