
Thyme Essential Oil Its Uses And What It Is
Thyme Essential Oil comes from the herb Thyme, Thymus vulgaris. The herb has been commonly used in cooking for thousands of years, in fact it has excellent properties beyond just its flavour which make it good in culinary usage. In cooking it can delay putrification of meat due to its antibacterial properties, whilst it is also an intestinal antiseptic which helps in clearing gastrinal infections. It strengthens both body and mind and helps to stimulate the brain and memory. Yet due to its balancing nature it can also calm excessive energy and aid in relaxation.
Plant
The plant itself is an evergreen shrub of the mint family which is native to Southern Europe, commonly found in the region that runs from the Western Mediterranean through to Southern Italy. It can grow up to 45 centimeters in height and around 40 centimeters in width, and is quite bushy. It has small greyish green leaves which are highly aromatic, and produces pale pink to purple flowers in clusters in early summer.
Essential Oil Characteristics
The oil itself is obtained from the fresh or partly dried flowering tops and leaves by steam distillation. It varies from amber to reddish brown in colour, is clear in nature, and a thin or watery viscosity. The aroma has a middle note which is strong, herbal, yet sweet in character.
Constituents
The principal constituent that yields the useful properties is thymol which can account for 20–54% of the composition depending on growng conditions. It also contains p-Cymene, myrcene, borneol, linalool, a-thujone, a-pinene, camphene, b-pinene, a-terpinene, linalool, b-caryophyllene and carvacrol.
Both Carvacrol and Thymol are often isolated by the pharmaceutical industry for use in various products due to their properties. Thymol itself is the key active ingredient in many mouthwashes like Listerine, due to its antiseptic quality.
Safety Note For Thyme Essential Oil
Due to being an emmenagogue it should be avoided during pregnancy. People with high blood pressure should use this oil with caution too. It can for some people be an irritant, for both the skin and mucous membranes, as such a patch test on the skin of the user is recommended.
Effects of Salvia officinalis and Thymus vulgaris on oxidant-induced DNA damage and antioxidant status in HepG2 cells.
"Salvia officinalis (SO) and Thymus vulgaris (TV) are medicinal plants well known for their curative powers... In this study we investigated the composition and the quantitative estimation of plant extracts, the protective effects of plant extracts against hydrogen peroxide- and 2,3-dimethoxy-1,4-naphthoquinone-induced DNA damage, and levels of enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants (superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione) in human HepG2 cells... The results showed that the oxidant-induced DNA lesions were significantly reduced in cells pre-treated with the plant extracts studied."
Kozics K1, Klusová V, Srančíková A, Mučaji P, Slameňová D, Hunáková L, Kusznierewicz B, Horváthová E.
Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Source: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23870948
Thyme Essential Oil Uses
Thyme essential oil uses excel in relation to the immune system and aiding with energy levels. It has a set of properties which work with a great degree of synergy, helping you to clear through things that are usually challenging to surpass, such as colds. It also has a great deal of benefit in terms of improving the health and healing of bones.
The warming and stimulating nature of this oil can be useful in relieving rheumatic issues, where it can be used in hot compresses to improve condition. The balancing nature can aid you by energising you at times that you wish to be lively and awake, yet calm you and ease you into a relaxed state when you need to sleep or be still. For this reason it can useful for those who have insomnia.
The Therapeutic Effects Of Thyme Essential Oil
Analgesic
Anthelminthic
Anti-Aging
Anti-Inflammatory
Antibacterial
Antifungal
Antimicrobial
Antioxidant
Antiparasitic
Antirheumatic
Antiseptic
Antispasmodic
Antiviral
Bechic
Cardiac
Carminative
Cell Proliferant
Cicatrisant
Deodorant
Diuretic
Emmenagogue
Expectorant
Hypertensive
Insecticide
Parasiticide
Rubefacient
Stimulant
Tonic
Vermifuge
Thyme is a great stimulant, something which comes through whatever your usage of this oil. Though while many stimulants just boost up energy levels regardless, Thyme operates in a more holistic and balanced way. Its stimulating action works in unison with your body and its natural cycle, so whilst at times you need that big boost if you feel tired, there are times when the energy is best directed in a different way.
This is especially true in times of healing. During which the boosted energy is balanced and goes more towards healing. For example if you are unwell with a heavy cold, for example, and wish to rest, Thyme will boost your energy for healing whilst keeping your body and mind in a state where you can rest and clear the condition as speedily as possible in an effective manner.
Conditions That It Helps With
Alzheimer’s Disease
Animal Bites
Anorexia
Anthrax
Arthritis
Asthma
Boils
Bones
Bronchitis
Bruises
Cardiovascular Disease
Catarrh
Cellulite
Chills
Colds
Concentration
Coughs
Cystitis
Depression
Dermatitis
Eczema
Edema
Expelling Afterbirth
Flu
Gout
Hair
Hair Loss
Hepatitis
Immune System
Infectious Disease
Laryngitis
Leucorrhoea
Lungs
Memory
Mental Fatigue
Mucus Congestion
Muscular Aches And Pains, Sprains And Sport Injuries
Nerves
Obesity
Physical Fatigue
Poor Circulation
Psoriasis
Respiratory Problems
Rheumatism
Scanty Periods
Sinusitis
Snoring
Sore Throats
Speeding Up Birth
Stomach
Tonsillitis
Tuberculosis
Urethritis
Urinary Antiseptic
Whooping Cough
As can be seen Thyme essential oil has a very wide set of uses. It is incredibly good with all manner of issues in relation to immunity, circulation and the lungs. So much so that it is wise to keep a bottle around for times when conditions relating to those things are prevalent, especially in winter for example.
With Anorexia it helps to stimulate the appetite in a number of ways, including via its aromatic effect in aiding the mind to become calm and relaxed, something which is key to the condition. Its effect on the mind is very beneficial to anyone using it in many ways beyond the calming effect.
It is an aid in healing conditions such as Alzheimer’s, its action aiding neurological repair and function partially via improving blood flow around your brain. Something which has the effect of improving memory function and concentration for anyone using it, especially if your brain is in a healthy state.
Points To Note On Thyme Essential Oil Uses
The first thing to be noted is in regard to safety. This oil should be avoided during pregnancy due to its emmenagogue effect. It should also be used with caution, or avoided, by anyone with high blood pressure or a heart condition due to its ability to stimulate increased blood flow. Plus it should be used in diluted form because of its effect on mucous membranes and its potential to irritate the skin.
Those things aside this is a great oil to keep handy due to the wide range of beneficial effects it has. Using a drop a day, diluted for topical application, or within food if your supplier specifically states such use is safe, is a great way to keep your body in a healthy condition and keep conditions such as colds away.
For the best results in terms of boosting your immune system and all other Thyme essential oil uses be sure to use a high quality source, ideally one that specifically states it is safe for internal usage within diet. In using such an oil you will be able to access to best in terms of all the effects. It is relatively easy to acquire such oils and you can find recommendations on locating such sources here.