* Please Note: This information is based partly on Traditional Medicine which uses natural materials to support health. This information has not been evaluated or approved by the FDA. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). These products are intended to support general well being and are not intended to treat, diagnose, mitigate, prevent, or cure any condition or disease. If conditions persist, please seek advice from your medical doctor.
Description
Name
Thymus serpyllum L. Fries (Labiatae) commonly called wild thyme. In French, it is Serpolet a feuilles étroites; in German, Feld-Thymian or Kleiner Kostets. Hundreds of related (some distantly) plants are referred to by the same name, making the situation for consumers quite confusing. Products sold in the United States often contain the dried leaves of related plants, such as Thymus pulegioides L., and T. Praecox subsp. articus. Thymus vulgaris L., also called garden thyme or common thyme, grows robustly in American and European gardens. In French, it is called Thym cultivé; in German, Garten-Thymian.
Source
Wild thyme (Thymus serpyllum) is native to Europe and does not grow in the United States. T. Vulgaris, also known as English thyme or garden thyme, is native to the Western Mediterranean but now grows in American gardens. Extracts of the flowers of wild thyme are used as an expectorant. Garden thyme is used mainly as a culinary herb, but infusions made from its leaves have traditionally been used to treat upset stomach and have been applied locally to treat healing wounds.
History
Legend has it that thyme grew from the tears shed by Helen of Troy. Thyme was a component of the embalming compounds used by the ancient Egyptians. It was probably introduced into Europe by the Romans. In the Middle Ages, the plant was associated with death and was planted around graves.
Traditional Claims
Wild thyme is used as an antiseptic, antispasmodic, expectorant, astringent, and digestive aid. Garden thyme was also used as a deodorant and vermifuge.
Commission E Recommendations
The Commission recommends wild thyme for inflammation of the upper respiratory tract. Garden thyme is also recommended for treating the symptoms of bronchitis, whooping cough, and upper respiratory tract infections.
Proven Effects
Wild thyme contains most of the same ingredients as garden thyme, but in lower concentrations. The essential oil extracted from the flowers of T. vulgaris contains thymol, a powerful antiseptic, widely used by dentists. Thyme essential oil (3%) has been used as a preservative in the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries for many years. There is good evidence that thyme oil, in common with the essential oils of anise seed, cinnamon leaf, red thyme, and tea tree, can be used as a treatment to kill body lice (pediculus humanus). The oils are dissolved in alcohol, applied in the evening and rinsed off in the morning.
In the laboratory, aqueous extracts of thyme prevent the growth of H. pylori, a bacteria that is known to play a role in the occurrence of peptic ulcer disease. Very few clinical studies have ever been undertaken, and thyme's usefulness in respiratory infections has never been validated. Thyme oil is used widely by aromatherapists, who have published at least one controlled trial, the results of which suggest that thyme oil can be used to help grow hair:
A randomized, double-blind, controlled trial of seven months duration involved 43 balding men who massaged essential oils (thyme, rosemary, lavender, and cedarwood) into their scalps daily, and 43 others who rubbed in a placebo-containing oil. The participants were photographed on a regular basis, and the pictures were reviewed by two dermatologists for evidence of hair growth. (The dermatologists did not know which men were using placebo and which were using the essential oils). No side effects occurred and, by the end of the study, half of the men treated with the oil had grown significantly more hair than the controls.
References
Hay IC, Jamieson M, Ormerod AD. Randomized trial of aromatherapy. Successful treatment for alopecia areata [In Process Citation]. Arch Dermatol 1998;134(11):1349-52.
Manou I, Bouillard L, Devleeschouwer MJ, Barel AO. Evaluation of the preservative properties of Thymus vulgaris essential oil in topically applied formulations under a challenge test. J Appl Microbiol 1998;84(3):368-76.
Tabak M, Armon R, Potasman I, Neeman I. In vitro inhibition of Helicobacter pylon by extracts of thyme. J Appl Bacteriol 1996;80(6):667-72.
Veal L. The potential effectiveness of essential oils as a treatment for headlice, Pediculus humanus capitis. Complement Ther Nurs Midwifery 1996;2(4):97-1O1.
Dosage
For cough, Commission E recommends a tea made from 1 to 2 grams of the dried thyme leaves, several times a day as needed. Alternatively, 1-2 grams of fluid extract of garden thyme can be taken up to three times a day. For treating healing sores and ulcers, the Commission recommends compresses made from a 5 percent infusion of thyme. The recommended dose of wild thyme is 6 grams per day of the dried flowers.
User Group Forum
Share your questions and information with the ZooScape community!
Be the first to post!
Directions
Take 1 capsule, 3 times daily, with meals.
Cautions
Concerns
Reports of side effects are so rare as to be of no concern.
Warnings
Thymol in large quantities can be toxic. Users should not exceed the recommended dose.
Drug Testing
There is no evidence that any of the components of the essential oil interfere with standard workplace drug tests.
Additional Information
TerraVita is an exclusive line of premium-quality, natural source products that use only the finest, purest and most potent ingredients found around the world. TerraVita is hallmarked by the highest possible standards of purity, potency, stability and freshness. All of our products are prepared with the highest elements of quality control, from raw materials through the entire manufacturing process, up to and including the moment that the bottles or bags are sealed for freshness and shipped out to you. Our highest possible standards are certified by independent laboratories and backed by our personal guarantee.
TerraVita exists to meet and ensure your family's health and wellness without the harmful effects or chemicals and prescription medications. We strive to make all of our products affordable and reliable and are constantly searching the market to maintain our affordability and to look for new ways to serve you and the ones you love. TerraVita has become a trusted household name for many families and can bring you and yours the very best herbal supplements, blends, teas and spices that are on the market today.
TerraVita is packed in childproof, tamper-proof pharmaceutical-grade recyclable containers.
ZooScape is proud to be the exclusive distributor of TerraVita teas, herbs and supplements in the United States, Canada and around the world. Please direct all wholesale and bulk inquiries to Simona Heather at 905-494-1785.
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Products are intended to support general well being and are not intended to treat, diagnose, mitigate, prevent, or cure any condition or disease.
