Thyme oil is considered a proven home remedy for flu-like infections and colds. We’ll show you what makes the essential oil so effective and what you can also use thyme oil for.
The ancient Greeks are said to have used thyme oil to gain courage and strengthen the body. This is where the name of the special plant comes from: Thyme is derived from the Greek word “thymos”, which means courage.
In the twelfth century, Hildegard von Bingen first described thyme as an effective remedy for respiratory diseases and inflammation. Since then, the medicinal plant has been a reliable helper for coughs, sore throats and hoarseness.
Thyme oil for flu and colds
The effective effect of thyme oil on colds is largely due to the phenols thymol and carvacrol. They are responsible for the antiseptic and anti-inflammatory effects of the essential oil. Thyme oil also has a pain-relieving, cramp-relieving and expectorant effect. If you have a cold, it is recommended to inhale with the essential oil.
How to inhale with thyme oil:
- Put a liter of boiling water in a bowl and add two to three drops of thyme oil.
- Let the mixture cool slightly to avoid scalding yourself.
- When the temperature is comfortable, bend your head over the bowl, place a large towel over your head and breathe in the soothing vapors deeply.
Attention: The essential oil is not suitable for so-called “droplet inhalation” via an inhaler.
Thyme oil as a component of medication
Thyme oil is often an ingredient in cough syrups, ointments, lozenges and candies that you can get at the pharmacy. Be sure to pay attention to the other ingredients. Cough syrups and throat drops in particular often contain a lot of sugar.
To make your own cough syrup, you can simply mix a few drops of thyme oil with liquid honey and drink it pure or dissolved in tea.
Also read: Thyme cough syrup: effects, application and recipe
Other uses of thyme oil
Another use of thyme oil for a cold is a cold bath with the oil. Thanks to its valuable ingredients, thyme oil can also be used against bronchitis and whooping cough. It can also relieve spasmodic coughing attacks in asthma.
Other areas of application for thyme oil include:
- Inflammation of the gums
- Tonsillitis
- Digestive problems
- Foot odor
In aromatherapy, thyme oil is used for numerous other complaints, such as:
- Hair loss
- fungal infections
- Joint and muscle pain
- cramps
- Circulatory problems
However, the effects of the oil in aromatherapy have not yet been proven by a scientific study.
In general, it should be noted that thyme oil should never be applied pure to the skin as it can cause skin irritation. Therefore, always mix thyme oil with a carrier oil. Pregnant women, people with a pollen allergy and children under two years of age are generally not advised to use the oil.
Edited by Annika Reketat
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