CAS No: 8007-46-3
Meet The Thyme (Through Time: The Ancient Herb with Modern Healing Power)
Throughout history, thyme has been more than just a fragrant herb tucked into recipes — it has played a vital role in medicine, ritual, and tradition across civilizations. From the sacred temples of Ancient Greece to the trenches of World War I, thyme has been a symbol of courage, a natural healer, and a guardian against disease.
Today, as we face a new wave of antimicrobial resistance and novel viruses, the world is once again turning to nature’s pharmacy — and thyme, with its potent essential oils, is stepping back into the spotlight.
Ancient Roots and Sacred Rituals
The story of thyme begins in ancient Greece, where its name derives from the word thymos, meaning "perfume" or "to fumigate." It was cherished for its aromatic qualities, and the Greeks used it to scent their baths and burn as incense in temples. They believed it imbued strength and courage — a belief echoed in the writings of Hippocrates, the father of Western medicine, who prescribed thyme for respiratory ailments around 460 BCE.
Thyme also found a sacred place in Ancient Egypt, where it was used in the embalming process to preserve and honor the dead. Meanwhile, in Rome, the great naturalist Pliny the Elder praised thyme for its power to ward off venomous creatures when burned. The Romans also used it to flavor cheese and liqueurs, and saw it as a remedy for epilepsy and melancholy. It was their conquests that brought thyme to the British Isles, where it took deep root in local culture.
Medieval Magic and Herbal Courage
By the Middle Ages, thyme had become woven into the fabric of European life. As the Black Plague swept across the continent in the 1340s, people turned to thyme for protection, wearing small posies of the herb in hopes of warding off illness. It was common to place thyme under pillows to promote restful sleep and prevent nightmares.
Thyme was also a symbol of bravery. Women would gift warriors sprigs of thyme before battle, and often embroidered scarves with a bee hovering over a sprig of thyme — a powerful emblem of energy, activity, and courage. In Scotland, Highlanders drank wild thyme tea to fortify their spirit before going into combat and to banish bad dreams.
Thyme was burned as incense at funerals, believed to assist souls in their passage to the afterlife. Its presence was felt not only in healing but in the spiritual journey of life and death.
Thyme in Modern Medicine
Centuries later, thyme remained an ally on the front lines. During World War I, thyme essential oil was used in hospitals to disinfect wards and operating theatres, valued for its potent antiseptic properties. Even today, it continues to play a role in modern pharmaceuticals — found in cough syrups, mouthwashes, and toothpaste.
One of the most compelling aspects of thyme is its relevance in the fight against modern superbugs. Clinical trials have demonstrated thyme oil’s effectiveness against MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus), a dangerous bacterium that resists conventional antibiotics. As antibiotic resistance grows, essential oils like thyme may offer promising alternatives rooted in ancient wisdom.
White Thyme and Aromatic Allies
In aromatherapy, white thyme essential oil is preferred over red thyme due to its gentler nature. When used properly, it blends beautifully with other oils like lavender, bergamot, grapefruit, lemon, tea tree, marjoram sweet, melissa, rosemary, sage, orange, and pine — offering both therapeutic and aromatic harmony.
A Return to Nature’s Apothecary
Thyme has walked with humanity through the ages — offering strength in battle, comfort in illness, and protection in times of crisis. As we confront the health challenges of our time, we’re reminded that the answers may lie in the plants that have always been with us.
So the next time you sip thyme tea or use a thyme-infused remedy, remember: you're taking part in a tradition as old as civilization itself — one that continues to thrive, grow, and heal.
Organoleptic Properties of Oil Derived from Thyme (white) leaves:
- Physical Appearance: Clear, pale yellow to reddish-brown liquid
- Odor: Spicy and herbaceous odor
Major Aroma Contributing Components to be known necessary for a fragrance developer:
Thymol(50-60%) and para-cymene(20-25%)
Other significant components include: gamma-terpinene, caryophyllene and linalool.