Thyme

Synonym(s): carvacrol, Herba thyme, thymol

Nutrient group: plant extracts & active ingredients

Sources

Dietary sources
Thyme is a species of the genus of Thymus in the labiate family (Lamiaceae) and originally native to the western Mediterranean. In nutrition thyme is often used as a spice. The thymol contained in its essential oils is often produced synthetically and is used in mouthwashes and toothpaste due to its fungicidal and bactericidal effect.

Detailed information

Thyme for respiratory diseases

Thyme (Thymi herba) is a plant with antibacterial, expectorant and secretolytic properties (1). The essential oils it contains (thymol, carvacrol) are quickly and almost completely absorbed and reach the glandular cells of the bronchial tubes directly, where they stimulate the activity of the cilia, thereby promoting self-cleaning and the removal of mucus (2). Antitussive (cough-reducing) properties have also been demonstrated for thyme (3), which explains its traditional use for coughs. Thyme-containing cough syrups have also had well-documented clinical success in children (4).

Antiseptic and antibacterial action of thyme

Thyme extract is characterized by its high content of thymol, which has a strong antiseptic and antibacterial effect (1) (5) Thymol is active against pathogenic microorganisms and prevents the excessive growth of undesirable yeasts, fungi and bacteria. Thyme extract is therefore also suitable as an adjuvant therapy for diseases of the gastrointestinal tract involving abnormal bacterial and fungal colonization.

Indications

Effect	Indication	Dosage
Physiological effect at a low intake	Supporting therapy for colds & flu-like infections with bronchitis and catarrhs of the upper airways	500 - 1500 mg/d
	To support the therapy of cough complaints and chesty cough	500 - 1500 mg/d
	For complaints of the gastrointestinal tract, gastritis and irritable stomach due to bacterial or fungal infections	100 - 300 mg/d

Administration

General mode of administration
When	Thyme extract should be taken between meals.
Side effects
No side effects are known to date.
Contraindications
Do not use with existing allergies to thyme extract. Note possible cross allergies.

Interactions

Interaktionen mit Arzneimitteln oder anderen Nährstoffen
Keine	Nach aktuellem Kenntnisstand keine relevanten Wechselwirkungen bekannt.

References

Referenzen

1) Wagner, H., Wiesenauer, M. Phytotherapie: Phytopharmaka und pflanzliche Homöopathika, 2. Auflage. Stuttgart: Wissenschaftliche Verlagsgesellschaft Stuttgart, 2003.
2) Monografie BGA/BfArM (Kommission E). 1984. Monographie Thymus vulgaris herba. Bundesanzeiger. 228.
3) Büechi, S. et al. 2005. Open trial to assess aspects of safety and efficacy of combined herbal cough syrup with ivy and thyme. Forsch Komplementärmed Klass Naturheilkd. 12(6):328-32.
4) Marzian, O. 2007. Treatment of acute bronchitis in children and adolescents. Non-interventional postmarketing surveillance study confirms the benefit and safety of a syrup made of extracts from thyme and ivy leaves. MMW Fortschr Med. 149(11):69-74.
5) Rasooli, I., Mirmostafa, S. A. 2003. Bacterial susceptibility to and chemical composition of essential oils from Thymus kotschyanus and Thymus persicus. J Agric Food Chem. 51(8):2200-5. doi: 10.1021/jf0261755.

Referenzen Interaktionen

Stargrove, M. B. et al. Herb, Nutrient and Drug Interactions: Clinical Implications and Therapeutic Strategies, 1. Auflage. St. Louis, Missouri: Elsevier Health Sciences, 2008.
Gröber, U. Mikronährstoffe: Metabolic Tuning –Prävention –Therapie, 3. Auflage. Stuttgart: WVG Wissenschaftliche Verlagsgesellschaft Stuttgart, 2011.
Gröber, U. Arzneimittel und Mikronährstoffe: Medikationsorientierte Supplementierung, 3. aktualisierte und erweiterte Auflage. Stuttgart: WVG Wissenschaftliche Verlagsgesellschaft Stuttgart, 2014.