Thyme: benefits, dosage, contraindications
Scientific name(s)
Thymus vulgaris
Family or group:
Plants
Indications
Scoring methodology
EFSA approval.
Bronchitis ✪✪✪✪✪
Oral intake of thyme, in combination with other herbs, appears to help improve symptoms associated with bronchitis. Indeed, some preliminary clinical evidence suggests that taking an herbal cough syrup containing thyme, anise, dried ivy leaf, and marshmallow root mucilage improves bronchitis symptoms, including cough and the amount of expectoration, compared with baseline symptoms in patients with bronchitis. In addition, taking 30 drops of thyme and primrose root extract five times a day for 7 to 9 days appears to reduce acute bronchitis symptoms and shorten the duration of bronchitis compared with placebo. In children and adolescents, preliminary clinical evidence suggests that taking a syrup containing thyme extract and ivy leaves for 10 days appears to help reduce symptoms, including coughing fits, in patients with acute bronchitis. The World Health Organization recognizes the use of thyme for coughs during colds or bronchitis. The usual dose is 1 to 2 g of dried plant per cup of boiling water, as an infusion, several times a day, or the equivalent in fresh herb.
Posologie
By mouth: leaf, aerial parts
1 - 2 g
10 - days
powder, essential oil, tisane/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 rose hip, relieves the symptoms of bronchitis, including cough and fever, and increases the production of expectoration. nnThe European Medicines Agency (EMA) considers that thyme leaf / primrose root mixtures may claim either nn"well-established medicinal use for cough" (in the case of the expectorant properties of products that have received marketing authorization - MA), or "traditional use for cough associated with the common cold" when these are products without MA. nnIn addition, the World Health Organization (WHO) recognizes the use of thyme for cough during colds or bronchitis.nnThe usual dosage is 1 to 2 g of dried plant per cup of boiling water, as an infusion, several times a day, or the equivalent in fresh herb.nn
Posologie
By mouth: leaf, aerial parts
1 - 2 g
powder, essential oil, tisane/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
Common cold ✪✪✪✪✪
The European Medicines Agency recognizes the traditional use of thyme as an expectorant, for cough and for the common cold. The World Health Organization recognizes the use of thyme for cough during colds or bronchitis, and as a gargle for laryngitis and inflammation of the tonsils.nnThe usual dosage is 1 to 2 g of dried plant per cup of boiling water, as an infusion, several times a day, or the equivalent in fresh herb.nnA 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.nn
Posologie
Oral use: leaf, aerial parts
1 - 4 g
powder, tisane/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 ✪✪✪✪✪
The application of a concentrated thyme infusion to wounds may disinfect them and promote healing. The World Health Organization recognizes the antiseptic and wound-healing properties of thyme when applied locally to superficial skin wounds and for mouth irritations.
Posologie
Topical: leaf, aerial parts
1 - 4 g
powder, herbal tea/tea/infusion, dry extract
Digestive disorders ✪✪✪✪✪
The World Health Organization recognizes the use of thyme for dyspepsia and other gastrointestinal disorders. The usual dosage is 1 to 2 g of dried plant per cup of boiling water, as an infusion, several times a day, or the equivalent in fresh herb.
Posologie
Oral: leaf, aerial parts
1 - 4 g
powder, herbal tea/tea/infusion
Oral and dental infections ✪✪✪✪✪
Recent studies have shown the effectiveness of a varnish based on thymol and chlorhexidine (an antiseptic) applied at the base of the teeth for the prevention of cavities and gum disease. The World Health Organization recognizes the antiseptic and healing properties of thyme for topical application on superficial skin wounds and for mouth irritations.
Posologie
By mouth: leaf, aerial parts
1 - 4 g
essential oil, herbal tea/tea/infusion
Properties
Anti-inflammatory
In vitro research shows that thyme extract may have anti-inflammatory activity. This effect is attributed to thyme's ability to scavenge nitric oxide radicals.
Usages associés
Antioxidant
Thyme and its constituents, thymol and carvacrol, may have antioxidant effects and protective effects on DNA. According to preliminary research, thyme's antioxidant effect may increase nitric oxide production and may help improve atherosclerosis and endothelial dysfunction.
Mucolytic
In animals, thymol and carvacrol are able to facilitate the clearance of mucus from the airways. Moreover, a study of 60 patients with productive cough compared a five-day treatment with two different syrups, one based on thyme and the other based on bromhexine (a mucolytic). A comparable efficacy was observed 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 influenza A and 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 an 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 thyme's active constituents, have antispasmodic activity that has been demonstrated in some animals.
Usages associés
Wound healing
Thyme oil could improve the healing of burns by promoting the formation of new tissue.
Usages associés
Safe dosage
Adults 18 years and older: 1 g - 4 g (essential oil, herbal tea/tea/infusion)
The European Medicines Agency recommends the use of thyme in adults. There are no particular contraindications to the use of thyme. Adverse effects are rare. The usual dosage is 1 to 2 g of dried plant per cup of boiling water, as an infusion, several times a day, or the equivalent in fresh herb. A thyme infusion or one drop of essential oil diluted in a bowl of hot water can also be used for inhalation to clear the airways. More concentrated infusions (5 g of dry plant for 100 ml of water) are used as a gargle or mouthwash.
Children aged 12 to 18 years: 1 g - 2 g (essential oil, herbal tea/tea/infusion)
The European Medicines Agency recommends that the use of thyme be reserved for children older than twelve years.
Interactions
Médicaments
Antiplatelet agents/Anticoagulants: moderate interaction
Theoretically, thyme could have additive effects with anticoagulant or antiplatelet medications and possibly increase the risk of bleeding
Precautions
Pregnant women: avoid
Although 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 using thyme while breastfeeding.
Allergies: avoid
The use of thyme is not recommended for people allergic to plants of the Lamiaceae family (mint, sage, rosemary, lavender, wild thyme ...).
Coagulation disorder: avoid
Thyme has antiplatelet effects and can cause bleeding or bruising if used in large amounts by people with coagulation disorders.
