Essential oils carry biologically active volatile
compounds in a highly concentrated form that can provide therapeutic benefits
in very small amounts. One such oil is thyme oil, which is derived from steam
distillation of fresh thyme flowers and leaves.
Thyme, a member of the mint family, has a sweet, earthy
flavor that lends itself well to cooking. Hippocrates, the “father of
medicine,” counted thyme as a culinary herb, although it was used also used as
a form of medicine in ancient times, particularly for respiratory conditions.
According to the American Botanical Council: “The ancient Sumerians and Egyptians used thyme as a medicine and to
embalm the dead. The ancient Romans used thyme to flavor cheese and alcoholic
beverages, burned it to deter wild animals, and bathed in it to 'provide
vigor.' Medieval women embroidered thyme on gifts for knights.”
Many of thyme’s beneficial properties come from its essential
oils, which include potent compounds like thymol, camphene, linalool, and
carvacrol. Thymol, which makes up 20 percent to more than 50 percent of thyme
oil is known as a biocide, which means it can destroy harmful organisms and
gives thyme oil strong antimicrobial properties.
Perhaps not surprisingly, due to its antimicrobial
effects thymol is often used in mouthwash as well as in cosmetics (as a
preservative/biocide). Because thyme also has a pungent aroma, it is also used
in aromatherapy and potpourri, and sometimes as a fragrance in cosmetics.
Thyme Oil and
Menopause Symptoms
Due to the proven healing properties, thyme oil may ease
hot flashes when inhaled, or used in a bath, or foot rub or mixed with massage
oil. For a portable hot flash remedy, place a few drops of an essential oil or
cologne on a tissue, or cotton ball and place in plastic wrap. It may provide
instant relief when you open and inhale any time a flash strikes.
It has also been found, that thyme oil massage can
prevent and reduce severity and frequency of the hot flashes.
Note that when choosing essential oils it is recommended
to find the ones that are 100% pure grade. These oils will give you the best
results.
Other Health
Benefits of Thyme Essential Oil
While you approach time of change, you become vulnerable
to the unwanted medical conditions, which may, or may not be associated with
hormonal and age related changed in your body and mind. Here are few medical
benefits of thyme oil you may find useful to stimulate you applying thyme oil
on a permanent basis:
* Antispasmodic: Millions of people around the world
suffer from coughs, cramps and aches due to spasms. Spasms are unwanted and
excessive involuntary contractions which may take place in the respiratory
tracts, nerves, muscles, intestines or other organs and may result in coughs,
convulsions, epileptic or hysterical attacks, cramps and muscular aches,
abdominal and intestinal aches, and even spasmodic cholera.
* Antirheumatic: There are two main reasons behind
rheumatism, arthritis and gout. The first is improper or obstructed circulation
and the second one is an increasing concentration of toxins like uric acid in
the blood stream. Thyme essential oil can sort out both of these problems.
Since it is a diuretic, it increases urination and helps in the removal of
toxins from the body. Being a stimulant, it stimulates or activates circulation
and thereby sorts out this problem in a separate way. Both ways helps cure
rheumatism, and related conditions like arthritis.
* Antiseptic: Thyme essential oil is a good antiseptic
and safeguards wounds and sores against infections. This is mainly due to the
presence of components like Caryophyllene and Camphene in thyme.
* Bactericidal: The same Caryophyllene and Camphene,
along with a few other components, give thyme essential oil antibacterial
properties. This inhibits bacterial growth within and outside of the body. It
kills bacteria as well as keeps them away from the organs in the body. This is
particularly beneficial in curing bacterial infections like B-Colitis, renal
colic, bacterial infections in the genitals and urethra, intestines, and
respiratory system as well as the external exposure of wounds.
* Tonic: Thyme
essential oil also tones up the circulatory system, heart, digestive system,
nervous system, muscles, and skin while fortifying them and boosting immunity.
* Cardiac: This is a very important and useful property
of thyme essential oil in today’s context, when heart troubles are growing at
an alarming rate. This oil is very beneficial for the heart. It keeps the
valves functioning properly, while being an anti-spasmodic, it relaxes the
arteries and veins and thereby reduces blood pressure and stress on the heart.
Furthermore, it strengthens cardiac muscles and tones up the heart, since it is
a tonic. Basically, thyme essential oil is good for every part of heart health.
* Carminative: Gases that build up in the stomach and
intestines are not as innocent as they appear. Their effect is not limited to
unpleasant odors alone. They can rob you of your appetite and sleep, raise your
blood pressure, pose a threat to your heart, give you severe stomach aches,
cramps, vomiting, headaches and nausea. In certain extreme cases, excessive gas
can even put your life in danger too. Therefore, gas must be handled with care,
and treated in a timely manner. Thyme essential oil, being a carminative and an
antispasmodic, forces the removal of gases through downward movement (upward
movement is very dangerous) and does not let them build up again.
* Diuretic: Those who are suffering from an accumulation
of water in the body due to chronic renal failure or from growing concentration
of toxins and salts in the blood are sure to benefit from this essential oil.
It increases urination and helps in the removal of excess water, salts and
toxins from the body. This helps reduce weight, lower blood pressure, reduce
fats and improve digestion as well.
* Emenagogue: Women should be very interested in this
property of thyme essential oil. Women are always searching for something that
can give them relief from obstructed and painful menstruation, irregular
periods and premature menopause. They
have found their answer in this oil. It opens obstructed menses, gives relief
from the symptoms like abdominal pain, fatigue, nausea, depression and low
blood pressure that is associated with menstruation. It can also delay
menopause, thereby keeping women healthy, happy and fertile. The essential oil
does all of this by stimulating the production of certain hormones like
estrogen.
* Cicatrisant: This is a tremendous property of thyme
essential oil. This property makes scars and other ugly spots on your body
vanish. These include the surgical marks, marks left by accidental injuries,
acne, pox, measles, and sores.
* Expectorant: When you are suffering from colds and
coughs, you need to find an expectorant. Thyme essential oil is a great one! It
helps cure infections that cause cough and cold and drains congestion, thereby
giving relief from coughs and colds.
* Hypertensive: You might raise your eyebrows about this
medicinal property and may not see it as a benefit. However, this property is
very beneficial for those who are suffering from low blood pressure. Those type
of people run the risk of falling unconscious at any time, and feeling
sluggish. This oil can normalize their blood pressure by raising it, which is
just as important sometimes as lowering it.
* Insecticide: It can keep away insects and pests and
also eliminate them if it becomes necessary. It can be effectively used to keep
away parasites that feed on the human body like mosquitoes, fleas, lice,
bed-bugs, and flies, as well as insects that attack food grains and clothes
like beetles and moths.
* Stimulant: It stimulates circulation, digestion,
nervous responses and the secretion of hormones, thereby stimulating the whole
metabolism.
* Bechic: If you have been suffering from coughing
symptoms for a long time and antibiotics cannot help you anymore, then you
might want to give this essential oil a try. Unlike when using potent
antibiotics, you need not risk your kidneys, heart, liver, stomach and eyes
with this oil. This is capable of curing infections in the chest (lungs,
bronchi, larynx and pharynx) and stopping coughs.
* Vermifuge: Thym essential oil kills worms. You can try
it on intestinal worms like round worms and tape worms, as well as maggots in
open sores and hook worms, which are notoriously difficult to eliminate.
* Other Benefits: It acts as a memory booster and an
antidepressant. It helps to increase concentration and helps to cure sinusitis,
bronchitis, anorexia, cellulite, eczema, athlete’s foot, dermatitis, insect and
animal bites, stings, laryngitis, pharyngitis and other infections. Finally, it
can be used to eliminate bad breath and body odor.
How to Use Thyme
Oil at Home
Once you have chosen a thyme oil, remember that it is a
powerful compound and should not be used directly on your skin, as this can
cause sensitization and irritation. It must first be diluted with a carrier oil
(like olive oil, coconut oil, or almond oil), and it is a good idea to test it
on a small area first to see if you have any allergies.
Thyme oil can be used in a variety of ways. It can be
inhaled via aromatherapy, applied topically, or used as a mouthwash, for
instance. You can also try the following remedies:
* Relieve pain – Mix three drops of thyme oil with two
teaspoons of sesame oil. Use this mixture as a massage oil and apply on your
abdominal area to relieve pain. This may also be used as a massage oil to treat
other types of pain, including insect and animal bites and stings.
* Alleviate fatigue – Add two drops of thyme oil to your
bath water.
* Improve sleep – Add a few drops to your diffuser.
* Promote oral health – Use thyme oil as a mouthwash by
adding one drop to a cup of warm water.
* Reduce appearance of scars and skin marks – Apply oil
of thyme mixed with any carrier oil (like almond oil) on the affected area. You
can also apply it for eczema, athlete’s foot, and dermatitis.
* Use as cleanser – Add a few drops of thyme oil to your
facial wash.
* Treat or protect against respiratory problems – Add two
drops of thyme oil to hot water and use for steam inhalation.
* Uplift mood – Simply inhale the scent of thyme oil.
Caution
Thyme oil should not be taken internally, as it can cause
nausea, dizziness, vomiting, diarrhea, and muscle problems. Doing so may also
negatively affect your heart, lungs, and body temperature. It may also
stimulate your thyroid gland, which is why this essential oil is not
recommended for people with hyperthyroidism.
Since thyme oil can be used to increase circulation,
certain varieties should be avoided by people with high blood pressure. Pregnant
women should also steer clear of thyme oil because it can stimulate menstrual
flow. In addition, thyme oil should be kept away from infants and young
children, who may be more sensitive to its effects.
Note that People who are allergic to oregano or other
Lamiaceae species might also be allergic to thyme.
There may be an interaction between thyme and the
following:
* Antiplatelet medications (e.g., aspirin, clopidogrel,
ticlopidine)
* Anticoagulant medications (e.g., warfarin)
* Other blood thinners.
Sources and
Additional Information: