Thyme
Thymus vulgaris
also known as Common thyme, Garden thyme
A culinary and medicinal herb traditionally used for coughs, sore throats, and respiratory infections, with antimicrobial and expectorant action.
- Approved by Commission E for cough and bronchitis
- Antimicrobial via thymol and carvacrol
- Relaxes bronchial smooth muscle
- Acts as an expectorant
- Often combined with ivy leaf in European OTC products
- Soothes sore throat as gargle
- Used by Greeks and Egyptians since antiquity
Active in Thymol, Carvacrol, Flavonoids, Tannins.
Possible cross-reactivity with Asteraceae allergy
May reduce thyroid hormone at high doses (theoretical)
Avoid medicinal doses and essential oil in pregnancy
Always dilute essential oil
Research
- Activity of essential oils against Caenorhabditis elegans: Showing anthelmintic potential for new products.
- Phytochemicals as inhibitors of pathogenesis to combat ostertagiosis, toxocariasis, trichostrongylosis and trichuriasis in cattle: A systematic review.
- Effect of thymus vulgaris essential oil as an antifungal agent on the flexural strength, surface roughness, and color stability of polymethyl methacrylate acrylic resin.
Memorial Sloan Kettering About Herbs · EMA Herbal Medicinal Product Monographs · American Botanical Council HerbMedPro
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Common questions
Yes, this is a genuinely well-supported use. Thyme is approved by Germany's Commission E specifically for cough and bronchitis, and it works partly by relaxing the muscles around the airways.
Memorial Sloan Kettering
No, always dilute it in a carrier oil first. Undiluted essential oil is too concentrated for direct skin application.
There's a theoretical concern that high doses may reduce thyroid hormone, so it's worth mentioning to your provider if you have a thyroid condition.
Avoid medicinal doses and the essential oil specifically. Using thyme as a cooking herb in normal food amounts isn't the same concern.