Thymus vulgaris L., commonly known as thyme, has been used since ancient times. Today, it is one of the most popular culinary herbs worldwide, but its uses extend far beyond the kitchen.
🥗 Culinary uses (food)
Fresh and dried herb: used to season meats, fish, soups, sauces, vegetables.
Food preservation: thyme oil has antimicrobial properties, which helps limit the growth of bacteria and fungi in food.
Flavouring: a component of spice mixtures (e.g. Provençal herbs).
🌿 Medical uses (phytotherapy, herbal medicine)
Expectorant and antitussive: thyme extracts (syrups, infusions) used to treat upper respiratory tract infections.
Antibacterial and antiviral effects: thymol and carvacrol are active against numerous pathogens.
Digestive support: thyme infusions used for flatulence, indigestion and abdominal pain.
Antispasmodic: helpful for intestinal and menstrual cramps.
Dermatological applications: in the treatment of wounds, burns, acne and skin infections (local applications, e.g. in the form of ointments or oils).
🧴 Applications in cosmetics
Thyme essential oil & extracts:
an ingredient in soaps, shampoos, toothpastes and deodorants,
essential oil – the natural preservative (antibacterial and antifungal), improving the condition of acne and oily skin, stimulation of the scalp, reduction of dandruff.
🧪 Technological and industrial applications of essential oil
An ingredient in cleaning products and air fresheners – thanks to antimicrobial properties and a pleasant smell.
Natural plant protection products (biopesticides) – thymol and carvacrol have insecticidal and fungicidal effects.
NATURAL ≠ SAFE
HAZARD ≠ RISK
Constituents:
The dried herbal substance contains up to 2.5% essential oil (its composition according to Ph. Eur. Monograph, EMA):
| Substance name | CAS | Content [%] in Thyme E.O. | Regulatory status | CLP Harmonised Classification | Toxicological concerns |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
THYMOL |
89-83-8 | 37.0 – 55.0 | Acute Tox. 4 (H302) Skin Corr. 1B (H314) Aquatic Chronic 2 (H411) |
||
|
P-CYMENE |
99-87-6 | 14.0 – 28.0 | Flam. Liq. 3 (H226) Asp. Tox. 1 (H304) Asp. Tox. 3 (H331) Aquatic Chronic 2 (H411) Ongoing: Repr. 1B (H360FD) |
||
|
Γ-TERPINENE |
99-85-4 | 4.0 – 12.0 | Reg. 1223/2009: annex III/132 | Ongoing: Repr. 2 (H361) | CMR Category 2 Suspected of damaging fertility. |
|
LINALOOL |
78-70-6/ 126-90-9/ 126-91-0 |
1.5 – 6.5 | Allergen – Reg. 1223/2009: annex III/84 IFRA standard 187: (51st: EDP/EDT – no limits) |
Only for 78-70-6: Skin Sens. 1B (H317) |
|
|
CARVACROL |
499-75-2 | 0.5 – 5.5 | Suspected skin Sens. & Skin Irrit. | ||
| β-
MYRCENE |
123-35-3 | 1.0 – 3.0 | |||
|
TERPINEN -4-ol |
562-74-3 | 0.1 – 2.5 | Its high content was one of the reasons for Tea Tree oil Repr. 1B classification! | ||
| α-
TERPINENE |
99-86-5 | 0.9 – 2.6 | Allergen – Reg. 1223/2009: annex III/131 | Flam. Liq. 3 (H226) Acute Tox. 4 (H302) Asp. Tox. 1 (H304) Skin Sens. 1 (H317) Aquatic Chronic 2 (H411) |
|
| α-
THUJENE |
563-34-8 | 0.2 – 1.5 |
📚 Literature sources
- EMA (European Medicines Agency) (2020)–Assessment report on Thymus vulgaris L., Thymus zygis L., aetheroleum
- EFSA Journal (2012) – Scientific Opinion on Flavouring Group Evaluation of Thymol and Carvacrol
- Kędzia, B., Hołderna-Kędzia, E. (2007) – Thyme oil – pharmacological properties and application
- Marchese, A. et al. (2016) – Antibacterial and antifungal activity of thymol: A brief review of the literature – Food Chemistry
- Salehi, B. et al. (2018) – Thymus species—chemical composition, phytochemistry and biological activities – Phytotherapy Research
