Thymus vulgaris – Thyme
Botanical
Name – Thymus vulgaris
Family
– Laminacaea
Other
names - Thyme, Common
Thyme, Garden Thyme, common garden thyme, Mother of Thyme.
History - Thyme was traditionally used as an
antiseptic. Culpepper in the 1600’s noted it to be ‘a strengthener of the
lungs, as notable a one as grows, neither is there a better remedy growing for
that disease in children which they commonly call chin cough (whooping
cough).’ It was used in pre and post-surgical
dressings during World War 1.
Description - An aromatic shrub growing to 40cm,
with woody stems, small leaves and pink flowers.
Cultivation - It is raised by seed or root division
in spring. It prefers light, chalky soils.
Parts Used - The ariel parts are harvested in
summer.
Active Constituents - Volatile oil, of highly variable
composition; the major constituent is 20 to 54% thymol, with lesser amounts of
carvacrol, with l,8-cineole, borneol, geraniol, linalool, bornyl and linalyl
acetate, aliphatic phenols, thymol methyl ether and a-pinene.
Flavonoids; apigenin, eugenol, luteolin,
thymonin, naringenin and others Miscellaneous; labiatic acid, caffeic acid,
tannins, tetramethoxylated flavones. etc.
Actions -
·
Carminative
·
Anti-microbial
·
Anti-spasmodic
·
Expectorant
·
Anti-tussive
·
Bactericidal
·
Astringent
·
Anthelmintic
·
Tonic
·
Emmenagogue
·
Resolvent
·
Antiseptic
·
Anti-spasmodic.
·
Antioxidant
·
Anti-fungal
Indications - With its high content of volatile oil,
Thyme makes a good carminative for use in dyspepsia and sluggish digestion.
This oil is also a strong antiseptic. Used externally as a lotion for infected
wounds, and internally for respiratory and digestive infections.
It
may be of use as a gargle in laryngitis and tonsillitis, easing sore throats
and soothing irritable coughs. It is an excellent cough remedy, producing
expectoration and reducing unnecessary spasm not just in the respiratory
system. It may be used in bronchitis, whooping cough, pleurisy and asthma,
where it clears the lungs of mucus, soothes coughing spasms and acts as an
anti-tussive.
As
a gentle astringent it has found use in childhood diarrhoea, worms and bed
wetting. For whooping cough it combines well with Wild Cherry and Sundew.
As
a mouth wash is extremely valuable acting to treat mouth, teeth, gums and throat,
having a similar effect to Listerine’s antibacterial action.
Research
in the 1990’s in Scotland suggests the volatile oil counteracts the effects of
aging, acting as a body tonic and supporting the normal functioning of the
body. It is a strong antioxidant and helps to maintain higher levels of
essential fatty acids in the brain.
The
German Commission E has approved its use for helping with the symptoms of
whooping cough, bronchitis and catarrh.
It
has been traditionally used for the immune system, especially fungal
infections. It is a valuable remedy for the throat, chest infections and hay
fever. It is indicated externally for
bites, stings, sciatica and rheumatic pains. It will help ringworm, athlete’s
foot, thrush and other fungal infections.
The
essential oil is commonly used as an antifungal, antibacterial and an antiprotozoal.
The oil will promote hair growth and reduce dandruff, more so when combined
with Lavender and Rosemary. In fact 44% showed improvement after 6 months of
application.
Further Studies
In
2007 a German study used thyme and ivy syrup with children and adolescents with
acute bronchitis. Their study concluded that a 10 day treatment improved and
even cured the diseases.
Lab
experiments have shown thymol to have antifungal activity against a number of
species such as Cryptococcus, Aspergillus, Saprolegnia and Zygorhynchus
species, and in 1999 effective against Staph aureus.
A study reported in the 2010 Journal of Medicinal Food explain
scientists used thyme oil to inhibit 8 type of bacteria. A study at the “Department of Pharmacology
at the University” of Milan has concluded that thymol, has the ability to
interfere with the formation of candida. A study reported in the April 2004
edition of Food Control, supports the use
of oil of thyme for killing food borne bacteria and extending the shelf life of
foods. In a study reported in the journal Letters of Applied Microbiology in
2007, scientists found thymol was effective against a wide variety of fungi and
mold species.
For more studies check out this link
Dosage - Infusion: Pour a cup of boiling water
onto 2 teaspoonfuls of the dried herb and let infuse for l0 minutes. tds
Tincture: 1:5 (45%) 2-6 ml tds
Fluid
Ext. (45%) 0.6-4 ml tds
Cautions – Caution in pregnancy
Combinations - For asthmatic problems it will
combine well with Lobelia and Ephedra, adding its anti-microbial effect. For
whooping cough use it with Wild Cherry and Sundew.
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