Thyme: benefits, dosage, contraindications
Other name(s)
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Scientific name(s)
Thymus vulgaris
Family or group:
Plants
Indications
Rating methodology
EFSA approval.
Bronchitis ✪✪✪✪✪
Oral intake of thyme, in conjunction with other herbs, seems to help improve symptoms associated with bronchitis. Indeed, some preliminary clinical evidence suggests that taking an herbal cough syrup containing thyme, anise, dry ivy leaf, and marshmallow root mucilage improves bronchitis symptoms, including cough and the quantity of sputum, compared to baseline symptoms, in patients with bronchitis. Additionally, taking 30 drops of thyme and crest root extract five times daily for 7 to 9 days seems to reduce acute bronchitis symptoms and shorten the duration of bronchitis compared to placebo. In children and adolescents, preliminary clinical evidence suggests that taking syrup containing thyme extract and ivy leaves for 10 days seems to help reduce symptoms, including coughing fits, in patients with acute bronchitis. The World Health Organization recognizes the use of thyme against cough during colds or bronchitis. The usual dosage is 1 to 2 g of dried plant per cup of boiling water, in infusion, several times a day, or the equivalent in fresh herb.
Posologie
Oral: leaf, aerial parts
1 - 2 g
10 - days
powder, essential oil, herbal tea/infusion, dry extract
Efficacy and Tolerability of a Fixed Combination of Thyme and Primrose Root in Patients With Acute Bronchitis. A Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial
Thyme
Efficacy and Tolerability of a Fluid Extract Combination of Thyme Herb and Ivy Leaves and Matched Placebo in Adults Suffering From Acute Bronchitis With Productive Cough. A Prospective, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial
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
Open Trial to Assess Aspects of Safety and Efficacy of a Combined Herbal Cough Syrup With Ivy and Thyme
Cough ✪✪✪✪✪
Clinical research suggests that thyme, in combination with rosehip, relieves symptoms of bronchitis, including cough and fever, and increases sputum production. The European Medicines Agency considers thyme/primrose root leaf mixtures to have either: 'an established medicinal use against cough' (in the case of expectorant properties of products that have been granted marketing authorisation - MA), or 'a traditional use against cough associated with colds' when it comes to products without MA. Furthermore, the World Health Organization (WHO) recognizes the use of thyme against cough during colds or bronchitis. The usual dosage is 1 to 2 g of dried plant per cup of boiling water, in infusion, several times a day, or the equivalent in fresh herb.
Posologie
Oral: leaf, aerial parts
1 - 2 g
powder, essential oil, herbal tea/infusion, dry extract
Efficacy and Tolerability of a Fixed Combination of Thyme and Primrose Root in Patients With Acute Bronchitis. A Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial
Thyme
Efficacy and Tolerability of a Fluid Extract Combination of Thyme Herb and Ivy Leaves and Matched Placebo in Adults Suffering From Acute Bronchitis With Productive Cough. A Prospective, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial
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
Open Trial to Assess Aspects of Safety and Efficacy of a Combined Herbal Cough Syrup With Ivy and Thyme
Cold ✪✪✪✪✪
The European Medicines Agency recognizes the traditional use of thyme as an expectorant, against cough and during colds. The World Health Organization recognizes the use of thyme against cough during colds or bronchitis, and as a gargle against laryngitis and tonsil inflammation. The usual dosage is 1 to 2 g of dried plant per cup of boiling water, in infusion, several times a day, or the equivalent in fresh herb. A thyme tea or a drop of essential oil diluted in a bowl of hot water can be used for inhalation to clear the airways. More concentrated infusions (5 g of dried plant for 100 ml of water) are used as a gargle or mouthwash.
Posologie
Oral: leaf, aerial parts
1 - 4 g
powder, herbal tea/infusion, dry extract
Efficacy and Tolerability of a Fixed Combination of Thyme and Primrose Root in Patients With Acute Bronchitis. A Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial
Thyme
Efficacy and Tolerability of a Fluid Extract Combination of Thyme Herb and Ivy Leaves and Matched Placebo in Adults Suffering From Acute Bronchitis With Productive Cough. A Prospective, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial
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
Open Trial to Assess Aspects of Safety and Efficacy of a Combined Herbal Cough Syrup With Ivy and Thyme
Wound ✪✪✪✪✪
Applying a concentrated thyme tea to wounds could disinfect them and promote healing. The World Health Organization acknowledges the antiseptic and healing properties of thyme, when used locally, for superficial skin wounds and against mouth irritations.
Posologie
Topically: leaf, aerial parts
1 - 4 g
powder, tea/herbal tea/infusion, dry extract
Digestive disorders ✪✪✪✪✪
The World Health Organization recognizes the use of thyme for dyspepsia and other gastrointestinal disorders. The usual dose is 1 to 2 g of dried plant per cup of boiling water, in infusion, several times a day, or the equivalent in fresh herb.
Posologie
Orally: leaf, aerial parts
1 - 4 g
powder, tea/herbal tea/infusion
Oral infections ✪✪✪✪✪
Recent studies have shown the effectiveness of a varnish based on thymol and chlorhexidine (an antiseptic) applied to the base of the teeth for the prevention of cavities and gum disease. The World Health Organization acknowledges the antiseptic and healing properties of thyme, when used locally, for superficial skin wounds and against mouth irritations.
Posologie
Orally: leaf, aerial parts
1 - 4 g
essential oil, tea/herbal tea/infusion
Properties
Anti-inflammatory
In vitro research shows that thyme extract may have anti-inflammatory activity. This effect is attributed to the ability of thyme to scavenge nitric oxide radicals.
Usages associés
Antioxidant
Thyme and its constituents, thymol and carvacrol, may have antioxidant effects and protective effects on DNA. Preliminary research suggests that thyme's antioxidant effect may increase nitric oxide production and improve arteriosclerosis and endothelial dysfunction.
Mucolytic
In animals, thymol and carvacrol can facilitate mucus clearance through the respiratory tract. Furthermore, a study involving 60 patients with productive cough compared a five-day treatment with two different syrups, one based on thyme, the other on bromhexine (a mucolytic). Comparable efficacy was noted between the two treatments.
Usages associés
Antimicrobial
Preliminary research suggests that thyme has antimicrobial activity and modest antibacterial effects. It also appears to have antiviral activity against the influenza A virus and the respiratory syncytial virus. Other preliminary research suggests that thyme is active against fungi such as Candida albicans and other Candida species. Thymol is also active against fungal microorganisms that cause onychomycosis (nail infection). In vitro, thyme essential oil and thymol have antiseptic action on germs such as Helicobacter pylori (responsible for duodenal ulcers).
Usages associés
Antispasmodic
In vitro research shows that thyme extract has antispasmodic effects. Flavonoids, one of the active ingredients of thyme, have demonstrated antispasmodic activity in some animals.
Usages associés
Wound Healing
Thyme oil may improve burn healing by promoting new tissue formation.
Usages associés
Safety dosage
Adults 18 years and over: 1 g - 4 g (essential oil, tea/herbal tea/infusion)
The European Medicines Agency recommends the use of thyme in adults. There are no specific contraindications to the use of thyme. Adverse effects are rare. The usual dose is 1 to 2 g of dried plant per cup of boiling water, in infusion, several times a day, or the equivalent in fresh herb. A thyme tea or a drop of essential oil diluted in a bowl of hot water can also be used in inhalation to clear the respiratory tract. More concentrated infusions (5 g of dried plant for 100 ml of water) are used in gargles or as a mouthwash.
Children aged 12 to 18 years: 1 g - 2 g (essential oil, tea/herbal tea/infusion)
The European Medicines Agency recommends reserving the use of thyme for children over twelve years of age.
Interactions
Médicaments
Antiplatelet/Anticoagulant drugs: moderate interaction
Theoretically, thyme could have additive effects with anticoagulant or antiplatelet medications and potentially increase the risk of bleeding.
Precautions
Pregnant women: avoid
Even if studies have not shown toxicity to the fetus, it is preferable not to take thyme during pregnancy, except for culinary use.
Breastfeeding women: avoid
The active substances in thyme may pass into breast milk. Avoid the use of thyme in breastfeeding women.
Allergies: avoid
The use of thyme is not recommended for people allergic to plants in the Lamiaceae family (mint, sage, rosemary, lavender, thyme...).
Bleeding disorders: avoid
Thyme has antiplatelet effects and can cause bleeding or bruising if used in large amounts by people with bleeding disorders.
