THYME Overview Information
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, stomach pain (gastritis), diarrhea, 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.
How does it work?
Thyme contains chemicals that might help bacterial and fungal infections, and minor irritations. It also might relieve smooth muscle spasms, such as coughing.
THYME Uses & Effectiveness 
Insufficient Evidence for:
- Bronchitis, in combination with cowslip. Early research suggests thyme, in combination with cowslip (Bronchipret), relieves symptoms of bronchitis such as coughing, fever, and increased production of sputum.
- Hair loss (alopecia areata), when combined with other herbs. There is some evidence that applying lavender oil in combination with the essential oils from thyme, rosemary, and cedarwood to the scalp improves hair growth in up to 44% of patients after 7 months of treatment.
- 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.
- Colic.
- Ear infections.
- Swelling (inflammation) of the tonsils.
- Preventing bedwetting.
- Sore throat.
- Bad breath.
- Swelling (inflammation) of the lungs and mouth.
- Other conditions.
THYME Side Effects & Safety
Thyme is safe when consumed in foods and taken as medicine for short periods of time. It can cause digestive system upset.
Thyme oil 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.
Special Precautions & Warnings:
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Thyme is safe for pregnant and breast-feeding women when consumed in normal food amounts. But it’s not known whether it’s safe to use thyme in larger medicinal amounts. Stick to food amounts if you are pregnant or breast-feeding.Allergies: People who are allergic to oregano might also be allergic to thyme.
Surgery: Thyme might slow blood clotting, so there is some concern that it might increase the risk of extra bleeding during and after surgery. Stop using thyme at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.
THYME Interactions
Moderate Interaction Be cautious with this combination
- Medications that slow blood clotting (Anticoagulant / Antiplatelet drugs) interacts with THYME
Thyme might slow blood clotting. Taking thyme along with medications that also slow clotting might increase the chances of bruising and bleeding.
Some medications that slow blood clotting include aspirin, clopidogrel (Plavix), diclofenac (Voltaren, Cataflam, others), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others), naproxen (Anaprox, Naprosyn, others), dalteparin (Fragmin), enoxaparin (Lovenox), heparin, warfarin (Coumadin), and others.
THYME Dosing
The appropriate dose of thyme depends on several factors such as the user's age, health, and several other conditions. At this time there is not enough scientific information to determine an appropriate range of doses for thyme. 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 your pharmacist or physician or other healthcare professional before using.
