Thyme is an herb. The flowers, leaves, and oil are used as medicine. Thyme is sometimes used in combination with other herbs. Thyme is taken by mouth for bronchitis, whooping cough, sore throat, colic, arthritis, upset stomach pan (gastritis), diarrhea and bedwetting, a movement disorder in children (dyspraxia), intestinal gas (flatulence), parasitic worm infections, and skin disorders. It is also used to increase urine flow (as a diuretic), to disinfect the urine, and as an appetite stimulant.

Some people apply thyme directly to the skin for hoarseness (laryngitis), swollen tonsils (tonsillitis), sore mouth, and bad breath. Thyme oil is used as a germ-killer in mouthwashes and liniments. It is also applied to the scalp to treat baldness and to the ears to fight bacterial and fungal infections. Thymol, one of the chemicals in thyme, is used with another chemical, chlorhexidine, as a dental varnish to prevent tooth decay. In foods, thyme is used as a flavoring agent. In manufacturing, red thyme oil is used in perfumes. It is also used in soaps, cosmetics, and toothpastes.

Thyme is a common herb and is generally used as a condiment or spice. Besides that, thyme is also used in herbal and domestic medicines.

Benefit & Uses: Millions of people around the world suffer from coughs, cramps and aches due to spasm. Spasm is unwanted and excessive involuntary contraction which may take place in respiratory tracts, nerves, muscles, intestines and other organs and may result in coughs, convulsions, epileptic or hysteric attacks, cramps and muscular aches, abdominal and intestinal aches and even spasmodic cholera.

There are two main reasons behind rheumatism, arthritis and gout. The first is improper or obstructed circulation and the second one is growing concentration of toxins like uric acid in the blood stream. Thyme Essential Oil can sort out both of these problems. Being a diuretic, it increases urination and helps removal of toxins. Being a stimulant, it stimulates or activates circulation and thereby sorts out this problem too. Both ways, it helps cure rheumatism.

It is a good anti septic and safeguards wounds and sores against infections. The same Caryophyllene and Camphene, along with a few other components, give Thyme anti bacterial properties. This inhibits bacterial growth in and outside the body. It kills bacteria as well as keeps them away. This is particularly beneficial in curing bacterial infections like B-Colitis, renal colic, bacterial infections in the genitals and urethra, intestines, respiratory system etc.

If you are suffering from coughs for a long time and antibiotics cannot help you anymore, then may 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.

The medicinal properties of thyme come mainly from its essential oil which is extracted through steam distillation of fresh flowers and leaves.

Early research suggests thyme, in combination with cowslip (Bronchi prêt), relieves symptoms of bronchitis such as coughing, fever, and increased production of sputum.

Hair loss, when combined with other herbs. There is some evidence that applying lavender oil in combination with the essential oils from thyme, rosemary, and cedar wood to the scalp improves hair growth in up to 44% of patients after 7 months of treatment.

It’s improving movement disorders (dyspraxia) in children when used with other medicines. Taking thyme oil, in combination with evening primrose oil, fish oils, and vitamin E, seems to improve movement disorders in children with dyspraxia.

It has useful in Colic, Ear infections, Swelling (inflammation) of the tonsils, Preventing bedwetting, Sore throat, Bad breath, Swelling (inflammation) of the lungs and mouth and other conditions.

More evidence is needed to rate the effectiveness of thyme for these uses.

 

Thyme is safe when consumed in foods and taken as medicine for short periods of time. It can cause digestive system upset. Thyme also seems to be safe when applied to the skin. In some people, applying the oil to the skin can cause irritation. But there isn’t enough information to know whether thyme oil is safe to take by mouth in medicinal doses.