Thyme Oil is used in skin care, home care, insect repellent, aromatherapy. It is used to flavor food and to support a healthy immune system.
Some of its many benefits:
Orally:
Thyme is taken by mouth for bronchitis, whooping cough, sore throat, colic, arthritis, upset stomach, stomach pain (gastritis), diarrhea, bedwetting, a movement disorder in children (dyspraxia), intestinal gas (flatulence), parasitic worm infections, and skin disorders.
Acne:
There’s some evidence that thyme oil is effective at reducing acne-causing bacteria on the skin. An animal study that compared thyme oil to oregano oil found that both were able to eliminate bacteria, but that oregano oil was more effective.
Alopecia areata:
Thyme oil mixed with other essential oils and a carrier oil, coupled with massage, may be used as a treatment to prevent hair loss. Currently, there’s little data indicating whether or not thyme oil is effective for this condition, although anecdotal evidence indicates that a combination of essential oils that includes thyme oil may be an effective treatment.
Breast cancer:
One very preliminary study found that wild thyme extract may eventually show promise at fighting breast cancer.
Coughs and respiratory tract infections:
The thymol content in thyme oil is thought to have antispasmodic properties. When mixed with primrose, thyme essential oil has been shown to be effective at reducing coughs and reducing the duration of respiratory tract infections, such as the common cold.
Food preservative:
In a study reported in the Journal of Medicine and Source, thyme oil was found to be effective at eliminating food- related bacteria and fungi. Thyme and thymol have been found to have antibacterial effects against bacterium, including salmonella, Staphylococcus aureus, and Helicobacter pylori.
Heart disease:
A 2010 laboratory study published in the Journal of Lipid Research found that the carvacrol in thyme oil was an effective anti-inflammatory agent with cardioprotective capabilities, making it potentially beneficial for people with heart disease.
Oral health:
Thymol’s anti-inflammatory effects have been documented in several studies. The thymol in thyme oil is effective at reducing inflammation and infection. According to recent research, thymol’s anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties make it beneficial for oral health. The compound is an ingredient in several dental products, including Listerine Cool Mint mouthwash.
Blends well with:
Bergamot, Grapefruit Pink, Lemon, Lavender, Oregano and Rosemary.
