What are the benefits of Thyme Essential Oil?

While there are over 300 variations of the thyme herb in total, only a few are used for their aromatherapeutic benefits.

Of these, white thyme is the most popular, carrying a number of impactful benefits for the body and mind that can be easily incorporated into your daily wellness routine.

Some of the strongest thyme essential oil benefits include:

• Cleaning properties
• Antioxidant
• Hormone balancing
• Skincare
• Prevention of hair loss
• Treating respiratory conditions

Does thyme essential oil have strong cleaning properties?

Thyme oil has been found to have incredibly strong antibacterial abilities that make it ideal for home cleaning.

A study in 2011 tested the oil against a whopping 120 strains of bacteria and found that thyme oil showed very strong activity against all clinical strains.

What’s more, thyme oil even showed activity against antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria. This is encouraging as it suggests that thyme essential oil may be able to protect against infections that even modern medicine can’t combat.

It is thought that thyme’s antibacterial abilities are due to the presence of caryophyllene and camphene in the oil, two components with strong cleaning properties.

Thyme oil has also been said to protect against infections manifesting both on the skin and in the body. It may even act as a vermifuge, which means that it may kill intestinal parasites.

You should always speak to a medical professional before deciding to take thyme oil internally, however.

Is thyme oil an antioxidant?

A study in 2000 showed that thyme oil had strong antioxidant abilities, allowing it to protect the body from harm caused by free radicals.

Free radicals can cause oxidising damage throughout the body, which can increase the risk of serious diseases.

Antioxidants such as thyme oil can reduce these risks and prevent free radicals from causing damage to cells.

Will using thyme essential oil help balance hormones?

Thyme oil has been found to offer relief from low mood, menopause symptoms, and other conditions caused by an imbalance in hormones.

A study in 1998 found that thyme oil is very effective at improving progesterone production in the body.

Low progesterone has been linked to an unstable mood, as well as a range of other conditions, and can cause more severe menopause symptoms.

Inhaling thyme oil can stimulate the production of progesterone and lessen these symptoms.

Is thyme oil good for the skin?

Thyme essential oil has a number of great benefits for the skin.

With its strong antibacterial properties, it can protect the skin from infections and deeply cleanse pores to get rid of any harmful microorganisms.

Its aforementioned antioxidant abilities can also benefit the skin. Antioxidants get rid of toxins in the body that can stress the skin and cause breakouts, and they are also said to slow the aging process, leading to more youthful-looking skin.

Can thyme essential oil prevent hair loss?

Another 1998 study focusing on the successful treatment of alopecia areata using aromatherapy noted that thyme oil could be useful for preventing hair loss.

It is still unclear whether these results were influenced by the presence of other essential oils, but anecdotal evidence suggests that a combination of oils including thyme could be widely beneficial.

Does thyme oil help treat respiratory conditions?

Thyme essential oil is naturally high in the component thymol, which is said to be antispasmodic.

Antispasmodic oils can calm muscles that are contracting in order to relieve discomfort.

Thyme’s benefits have been known to specifically target coughing, with a 2016 study also pointing out thyme’s effectiveness against respiratory tract infections like the common cold.

The oil’s natural ability to kill infections, rid the body of toxins, and balance mood makes it an ideal remedy against the symptoms that surround cold and flu.

How to use Thyme Essential Oil

Aromatherapy

The classic herbaceous notes of thyme are a welcome addition to any home and can be particularly useful for targeting airborne bacteria.

Adding a few drops to your diffuser when you’re feeling stressed or overwhelmed can also help to balance your emotions and encourage a sounder atmosphere.

If you find yourself suffering from a cold or stubborn cough, try inhaling some thyme essential oil along with steam in a bowl to help clear out your airways.

Skincare

Thyme oil’s antibacterial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties make it an all-around beneficial remedy against common skin woes such as acne, aging, and clogged pores.

Try combining some thyme oil with a soothing carrier oil and applying daily as an all-natural cleansing substitute.

Haircare

Recent research has pointed to the effectiveness of thyme oil against hair loss.

Mixing thyme oil with a carrier oil like argan and applying it as a hair mask daily could help combat these issues.

Alternatively, adding a few drops of thyme to your shampoo and shaking well could also achieve similar effects.

Cleaning

If you’re looking for an effective way to top up surfaces or bolster your existing home cleaning products, thyme essential oil could be an impactful choice.

Add a few drops of thyme oil to a spray bottle of water, shake well, and apply to surfaces at will.

History of Thyme Essential Oil

Thyme’s healing properties were already global by the year 1550 BCE, when they were recorded in the oldest Egyptian medical document, the Ebers Papyrus.

It is said that the name “thyme” derives from the Greek word thumus, meaning bravery – for which the plant was heavily associated.

The Greeks would also link the plant to elegance, with women at the time embroidering a bee hovering around a thyme herb to scarves, which they would later present to knights.

Furthermore, Roman soldiers were known to bathe in thyme-infused bath water before battle as protection, and by the 19^th century, thyme was being used across Europe as a protective guard against a number of diseases.

Many thyme essential oil benefits may be ancient secrets, but they’re not a well-kept ones, and the restorative powers of this herbal oil are now more accessible than ever.

Thyme oil works hard to keep us safe and healthy, and as an added bonus can leave our skin glowing.