Description: Stimulating and balancing.
From the greek thymon (to fumigate) or thumus (meaning courage). It has found military use both as a nerve tonic and antiseptic. It is recorded that Roman soldiers bathed in a bath with Thyme before battle and Crusader knights in the middle ages had sprigs of thyme woven into scarves. Thyme was used as a disinfectant along with clove, lemon, and chamomile essential oils in hospoitals upto 1914 as it could kill yellow fever microbes and was seven times stronger than carbolic acid. It was sprayed onto the clothes and bedding of soldiers in the Crimean War. (ref M Grieve).
There are six natural variations (chemotypes) of the Thymus Vulgaris. Thyme Red c.t linalool has a more gentle action than Thyme Red (Thymol, Carvacrol) and Thyme White (a rectified version of Thyme Red often compounded with fractions of other oils). which makes it preferable for use with children and the elderly.
Uses: Useful for spasmodic dry coughs. A boost to the immune system. This oil can have an effect on obsessive emotions, helping to bring a sense of balance. Famous for its strong antimicrobial and antiseptic effect. Its anti-inflammatory properties make it excellent at reducing gum inflammation. Effective on bacteria that cause caries and is used as an ingredient in different tooth pastes and mouth disinfection fluids.
Skin care: Thyme c.t. linalool is recommended for skin infections as it is non irritating (ref Schnaubelt).
Origin: France
Botanical Name: Thymus vulgaris
Source: Flowering tops
Method: Steam distillation
Principal & Chemotyping Constituents: Overwhelmingly Linalool 77.5%, b-Caryophyllene 2.85%, Thymol 2.2%
Certification: ECOCERT SAS-500
Ref: Battaglia p271
