Thyme essential oil | Thymus vulgaris

Traditional use: Common thyme (Thymus vulgaris) is an herb with a wide range of applications, particularly in medicine and culinary art. For ages it has been used as a spice in soups, salads and meat dishes. Thyme also has a rich history as an addition to alcohol of different kinds. This herb is quite interesting for many other reasons, though. In natural medicine thyme essential oil is frequently used in order to strengthen the immunity of the whole organism. Thanks to its antimicrobial properties essential oil helps to fight infections. It also acts as an expectorant which is helpful when the upper respiratory tract is blocked because of the excess of mucus. All those effects make thyme an effective aid during seasonal colds with no particular side effects. It might be used in massage when applied with a carrier oil since it soothes pain in muscles and joints while moisturizing the skin and reducing soreness. The aroma of thyme oil is really complex, so it is hard to describe it with words. There are certainly some notes of pepper and camphora in the background, but it is mainly a warm, sweet and herbal fragrance. 

Occurrence: Common thyme (Thymus vulgaris) is a dwarf shrub that belongs to the huge family of Lamiaceae plants. It usually reaches a small size, growing up to 30 cm in height and about 40 cm in width. The whole shrub has a dark green, a little greyish color and widely spread stems. Small leaves are placed on two opposing sides and have a lanceous shape. The flowers are gathered in head-shaped inflorescences of violet, pink or white color. The ripe dark brown fruits are usually placed in splits 

Thyme comes from Southern Europe and the Mediterranean Basin. Originally, it occurred mainly in France, Italy and Spain. Essential oil available in our shop is produced from Spanish crops. Currently, thyme grows wildly in other areas, e.g. Middle East but generally it is cultivated all over the world. In Europe the flowering period occurs in June and July but on rare occasions thyme also grows in September.

Biochemistry: Thyme essential oil contains a lot of active substances that are responsible for its properties. They include thymol, gamma-terpinene and p-cimen. There are also: caryophyllene, d-limonene and beta-myrcene. 

The oil available in our shop is produced with a method of steam distillation from the flowers and leaves of common thyme. Thanks to that every drop is optimally condensed and has an aroma bouquet unique for this plant.

Aroma: Middle note of high intensity and low durability.

Fun fact: In the 16th century French monks from the Benedictine monastery Fecamp came up with a recipe for a high percent herbal liqueur with many aromas, including thyme. It is known all over the world as Bénédictine and belongs to the group of the most exclusive alcohols.