Save
Thyme (Thymus vulgaris) is an herb with a distinct smell. The flowers, leaves, and oil are commonly used to flavor foods and are also used as medicine.
Thyme contains chemicals that might help bacterial and fungal infections. It also might help relieve coughing and have antioxidant effects.
People commonly use thyme for cough, patchy hair loss (alopecia areata), dementia, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
Don't confuse thyme with wild thyme. These are two different plants.
- Aging skin. It is unclear if a topical thyme flower and leaf extract reduces wrinkles.
Login for details - Alopecia areata. Topical thyme oil has only been evaluated in combination with other ingredients; its effect when used alone is unclear.
Login for details - Bronchitis. Oral thyme has only been evaluated in combination with other ingredients; its effect when used alone is unclear.
Login for details - Colic. Login for details
- Common cold. Login for details
- Dementia. It is unclear if aromatherapy with thyme oil is beneficial in patients with dementia.
Login for details - Developmental coordination disorder (DCD). Oral thyme oil has only been evaluated in combination with other oils; its effect when used alone is unclear.
Login for details - Dyspepsia. Login for details
- Dysmenorrhea. It is unclear if drinking thyme tea is beneficial for the prevention of dysmenorrhea.
Login for details - Halitosis. Login for details
- Laryngitis. Login for details
- Oral mucositis. Login for details
- Tonsillitis. Login for details
When taken by mouth: Thyme is commonly consumed in foods. Thyme is possibly safe when used as medicine, short-term. It might cause allergic reactions, dizziness, and stomach upset in some people. There isn't enough reliable information to know if thyme oil is safe to use as medicine or what the side effects might be.
When applied to the skin: Thyme oil is possibly safe when used short-term. Some people might experience skin irritation.
When inhaled: There isn't enough reliable information to know if thyme oil is safe or what the side effects might be.
Special Precautions & Warnings:
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Thyme is commonly consumed in foods. There isn't enough reliable information to know if thyme is safe to use in larger amounts while pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and stick to food amounts.Children: Thyme is commonly consumed in foods. Thyme is possibly safe when taken as medicine for short periods of time. There isn't enough reliable information to know if thyme oil is safe to use as medicine or what the side effects might be.
Allergy to oregano and similar plants: People who are allergic to oregano or other Lamiaceae species might also be allergic to thyme.
Hormone-sensitive conditions such as breast cancer, uterine cancer, ovarian cancer, endometriosis, or uterine fibroids: Thyme might act like estrogen in the body. If you have any condition that might be made worse by exposure to estrogen, don't use thyme.
Surgery: Thyme might slow blood clotting. This might increase the risk of extra bleeding during and after surgery. Stop using thyme at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.
Drying medications (Anticholinergic drugs)
Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
Thyme can block a chemical in the body called acetylcholine, which has many important functions. Some medications, called anticholinergic drugs, also block acetylcholine. There is some concern that taking them together might increase the risk for confusion, blurred vision, increased sweating, and increased heart rate.
Estrogens
Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
Thyme might act like estrogen in the body. Taking thyme along with estrogen might decrease the effects of estrogen.
Medications that slow blood clotting (Anticoagulant / Antiplatelet drugs)
Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
Thyme might slow blood clotting. Taking thyme along with medications that also slow blood clotting might increase the risk of bruising and bleeding.
Various medications used for glaucoma, Alzheimer disease, and other conditions (Cholinergic drugs)
Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
Thyme can increase a chemical in the body called acetylcholine. Some medications that are used for glaucoma, Alzheimer disease, and other conditions, also increase acetylcholine levels. Taking thyme with these medications might increase the chance of side effects.
Herbs and supplements that might slow blood clotting: Thyme might slow blood clotting and increase the risk of bleeding. Taking it with other supplements with similar effects might increase the risk of bleeding in some people. Examples of supplements with this effect include garlic, ginger, ginkgo, nattokinase, and Panax ginseng.
There are no known interactions with foods.
Thyme is commonly used to flavor foods. It is also used in soaps, cosmetics, and toothpastes.
In supplements, there isn't enough reliable information to know what an appropriate dose of thyme might be. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult a healthcare professional before using.
Common Thyme, Farigoule, Farigoulette, French Thyme, Frigoule, Garden Thyme, Huile Essentielle de Thym, Huile de Thym, Huile de Thym Blanc, Huile de Thym Rouge, Mignotise des Genevois, Oil of Thyme, Pote, Red Thyme Oil, Rubbed Thyme, Serpolet, Spanish Thyme, Thym, Thym Citron, Thym Commun, Thym des Jardins, Thym Maraîcher, Thym Vrai, Thym Vulgaire, Thyme Aetheroleum, Thyme Essential Oil, Thyme Oil, Thymi herba, Thymus vulgaris, Thymus zygis, Tomillo, Van Ajwayan, Vanya Yavani, White Thyme Oil.
Natural Medicines disclaims any responsibility related to medical consequences of using any medical product. Effort is made to ensure that the information contained in this monograph is accurate at the time it was published. Consumers and medical professionals who consult this monograph are cautioned that any medical or product related decision is the sole responsibility of the consumer and/or the health care professional. A legal License Agreement sets limitations on downloading, storing, or printing content from this Database. Except for any possible exceptions written into your License Agreement, no reproduction of this monograph or any content from this Database is permitted without written permission from the publisher. Unlawful to download, store, or distribute content from this site.
For the latest comprehensive data on this and every other natural medicine, health professionals should consult the Professional Version of the Natural Medicines. It is fully referenced and updated daily.
© Copyright 1995-2022. Therapeutic Research Faculty, publishers of Natural Medicines, Prescriber's Letter, and Pharmacist's Letter. All rights reserved.
Licensed from Therapeutic Research Center, LLC
Copyright © 1995-2023 by Therapeutic Research Center, LLC. All Rights Reserved.