Thyme Essential Oil: Properties and Applications

Thyme is one of the most commonly used spices, but the advantages of this plant from the Mediterranean are not limited to the culinary field.Due to its unique properties, thyme (its second name) boasts a number of beneficial and healing properties, which are also present in the essential oil, which is obtained from it.

It is quite difficult to get thyme oil. The fact is that this type of plant has the ability to change its composition, and may also have different properties depending on growing factors. For the manufacture of such oil using the method of double distillation, which allows you to fully eliminate any irritants formed in the leaves due to the influence of poor conditions.

Given the fact that the thyme itself can be grown in different climatic regions, its properties may be different depending on this. Thymol, carvacrol, borneol, lilalool and alpha-terpinene should be distinguished among the main components of thyme essential oil.

A distinctive feature of this oil is that it contains from 20 to 50% thymol. The concentration of this substance is influenced not only by the features of the area and the fact where the thyme was planted, but also the time of its collection. For example, if the essential oil was obtained from the thyme obtained in late autumn, then the thymol content may be 70%.

Harvest time has a direct effect on the level of the second most important chemical, carvacrol. If the plant is collected immediately, as it blooms, then it can be up to 80% in oil.

One of the most well-known and studied medicinal properties of thyme is its ability to stimulate the digestive system, even in the presence of any serious diseases. In addition, this type of essential oil is characterized by its antiseptic and relaxing properties, as well as its ability to help cure a variety of infectious diseases and poisonings.

Another useful quality of thyme is its positive effect on the functioning of the urogenital system. Proper use of essential oil makes it possible to get rid of unpleasant symptoms due to its pronounced anti-bacterial effect. Among other features of this product is its ability to control menstrual cycles and relieve women from pain.

One of the main advantages of the plant is its immunostimulating properties, which have a positive effect on blood circulation and will be useful for people who have problems with high blood pressure.

Another positive effect of thyme essential oil for humans is its immunostimulating properties. The oil contains unique components that strengthen the immune system and ensure its ability to fight infectious diseases. In addition, due to its disinfecting properties, the product has a positive effect on the respiratory organs in case of bronchitis and other similar ailments.

Despite the huge number of benefits, thyme oil is characterized by its phototoxicity. In addition, it behaves quite aggressively, so its use is prohibited without a test for allergies. Even if the test is neutral, you need to be prepared that thyme oil can cause irritation and burning. In order to minimize contraindications and possible side effects, the product should be used exclusively in diluted form and in the smallest doses.Doctors prohibit the use of thyme essential oil during pregnancy or for hypertension.

Due to its unique properties, the essential oil of thyme can be used not only in medicine, but also in cosmetology. Every day more and more aesthetic procedures include the use of thyme to improve the condition of hair, nails, etc.

The unique healing properties of this type of oil allow it to be actively used in alternative medicine. If you need to remove fatigue after a hard day’s work or get rid of signs of vegetative-vascular dystonia, then a solution based on thyme essential oil will be the ideal solution.

Massage with the use of this product will also help the body to relax. It is the multifunctionality of thyme that makes it such an important and indispensable attribute of traditional medicine. The active ingredients of the product allow you to get compresses from it, as well as various personal care products. Often, the air is used to create inhalation and rinse. In addition, it is an indispensable element in modern perfumery.

Traditional medicine offers the use of essential oil of thyme in the following cases.

• In the presence of inflammation of the oral cavity or organs of the respiratory system. The fact is that the solution obtained as a result of the addition of the essential oil will have a softening effect, due to which the sputum departs much faster and the inflammation is easily eliminated.
• The oil not only quickly relieves inflammation, but is also characterized by an analgesic effect, therefore it is actively prescribed for rheumatism, neuritis and radiculitis.
• Useful features of the product allow it to be used for the normalization of the gastrointestinal tract. With proper use, you can eliminate heartburn, flatulence or gastritis. Often the substance helps with problems with appetite.
• Tonic effect for the body, thereby strengthening the heart muscle, as well as stimulating blood circulation. Experts say that the oil has a positive effect on human nerve cells and allows you to fall asleep quickly.

The unique chemical composition provided active use of the oil of this plant in the cosmetic field. It is also used to restore hair, treat them, or simply improve the appearance. The tool is very popular among people who have thin hair. If the hair was damaged due to frequent dyeing or curling, then nothing would restore it better and faster than thyme oil.

For this procedure, you must add a couple of drops of oil in the shampoo, which is used for daily shampooing. If the hair has a high fat content, then you can not use the product more than once every seven days.

To obtain such a mask, you can simply take the usual base and add a couple of drops of oil to it. Unique components immediately form a powerful tool for strengthening hair and help to give them a more healthy appearance. Leave this mask should not be more than 15 minutes. Otherwise, the scalp may get burned, and the hair will start to fall out. If you do everything right, you can even cope with androgenic hair loss: they will become much stronger and the process of hair loss will slow down significantly.

In addition to hair care, this product in cosmetology is actively used for facial care. If you are the owner of oily skin and no other means can not help, then this oil will definitely cope with the problem. You just need to add a couple drops to face lotion. If you do not use it, then you can choose any other cosmetic product.

It is possible to carry out a similar procedure no more than two times in seven days, since the essential oil is a highly concentrated product, therefore its frequent use can be harmful.

According to reviews, thyme essential oil is an ideal antiseptic that even allows you to get rid of acne. In addition, this product has a positive effect on the nervous system and allows you to settle problems with the gastrointestinal tract.

On the benefits and application of essential oil of thyme, see below.