Thyme in Herbal Medicine: Properties of Thyme

Scientific name

Thymus vulgaris

Family

Labiatae

Origin

Southern Europe, Balkans

Parts Used

Drug consisting of the flowering tops

Chemical constituents

• Flavonoids;
• Essential oil (Official Pharmacopoeia): thymol, carvacrol, borneol, linalool, pinene.

Thyme in Herbal Medicine: Properties of Thyme

The dried leaves of thyme are used in infusion for the stomachic and antispasmodic activity; the essential oil has mainly antimicrobial activity (depending on the chemotype).

Thyme can also be used externally as a mouthwash or gargle for the treatment of oropharyngeal infections (use not officially approved).