The Shepherd's Purse
Please Note: Our products are for dietary supplements. Personal health matters should be discussed with an appropriate health care practitioner. The sole responsibility for the application of the information contained herein remains with the reader and user of this information.
Oil of Thyme $ 18.50 1/3 ounce
Effective in vitro against Salmonella typhimurium and Staphylococcus aureus (Juven).
Perhaps one of the most important actions of thyme is that it stimulates the production of white corpuscles. This strengthens the body's immunity and ability to fight off disease.
Stimulates the immune system: French physicians list the linalol chemotype as an immune system stimulant.
Anthelmintic Antibacterial Antidiuretic (ct. carvacrol) Antifungal
Anti-infectious Antiparasitic Mucolytic Rubificient
Stimulant (Mental)
Abscesses, aches and pains, acne, arthritis, asthma, boils, bronchitis, bruises, burns, catarrh, cellulite, colds, coughs, cuts, cystitis, dermatitis, diarrhea, dyspepsia, eczema, edema, flatulence, gout, gum infections, hypotension, infectious diseases, insect bites, laryngitis, lice, obesity, oily skin, pharyngitis, scabies, sinusitis, sluggish circulation, sore throat, sports injuries, sprains, stimulates CNS, stimulates immune system, tonsillitis, urethritis.
For external use 10 drops of essential oil of thyme can be mixed in one ounce (30ml) of almond or grape seed oil or a carrier oil of choice and rubbed into sore joints or used as a chest or back rub for colds. Other essential oils may be added if desired. Five to ten drops of thyme oil may also be used in bath water for the same purposes. It is important to dilute the essential oil because it can be irritating to mucous membranes. It is for external use only and should always be diluted.
Caution: Thyme thymol can be quite irritating to the skin. Always use in proper dilutions. Dilute to no more than 2% thyme before use. It may cause irritation to sensitive skins. Overuse of it can stimulate the thyroid gland and lymphatic system.Thymol is a dermal and mucous membrane irritant (Tisserand).
It is to be avoided in pregnancy as the carvacrol content stimulates the mucosal secretory systems (Mills).Do not use when pregnant or having high blood pressure.
Thymol is a powerful antiseptic and considered to be quite toxic. It is common knowledge among aromatherapists that the essential oil of thyme is one of the most potently antiseptic essential oils known.
Thymol can be highly toxic; it is strongly fungicidal, antibacterial, antioxidant and toxic to the hookworm (Foster).
It should not be used in baths as it may irritate the mucous membranes exposed in the bath.
Reported to be lethal to mosquito larvae (Novak).
It is very effective against lice. Red Thyme is best for that purpose, but be cautious of the skin irritant affect. It is also an effective compress for sores and wounds. It has been used as a solution for disinfecting hands before surgery. It is a much stronger antiseptic than many of those commonly used in hospitals (phenol, hydrogen peroxide and potassium permanganate, for example).
Thyme stimulates the circulation and raises low blood pressure. It is good for people who are fatigued, depressed or lethargic. This makes it useful in convalescence. It stimulates the appetite, which is often poor after an illness. Thyme helps to revive and strengthen both body and mind. It is believed to stimulate the brain and improve memory.
As an urinary tract antiseptic, it is helpful with infections of the bladder or urinary tract. The diuretic property washes out the area, making it more difficult for infections to spread.
Thyme has been used in treating colds, coughs and sore throats. Thyme is an excellent pulmonary disinfectant, useful for all respiratory infections. It can be used as an inhalation for nose, throat and chest infections or as a gargle. It is very effective against mouth and throat infections. As little as 0.1% of essential oil of thyme in a toothpaste is effective against bacteria which cause mouth and gum infections.
It is an intestinal antiseptic, (this oil is one of the strongest antiseptics available and over use may cause toxic reactions) helpful in gastric infections. It can expel intestinal worms like roundworm, threadworm and tapeworm.
Used in cooking, thyme has the ability to delay the putrefaction of meat. It is also a good digestive stimulant, useful for people with a sluggish digestive system.
Thyme Sweet is usually less harsh than Red Thyme, although that may be depend upon the processing and the initial chemical variation or type. If buying oil listed as Thyme Sweet, be sure to find out the chemotype. Not all retailers are educated or honest and you want to understand the properties. If applying the oil to children, the elderly or to the critically ill, Thymus Vugaris CT linalol (Sweet Thyme) is the preferred oil.
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