Page 53 - Pharmacognosy-II (06-PG 303)

Constituents:

1- Thyme contains not less than 1- 2.5 % volatile oil which contains mainly Thymol (30-70%) and
Carvacrol (3-15%). Other volatile oil constituents include limonene and linalool.

2- Flavones, condensed tannins and other constituents.

Traditional uses;

✓ Traditionally thyme has been considered a major antispasmodic cough remedy, particularly
when administered as a cough syrup.

✓ Infusion of thyme, sweetened with honey or sugar, would be prescribed for whooping cough,
sore throats and catarrh.

✓ Thyme tea was used as a carminative for colic, to treat dyspepsia and to control fever in
common colds.

✓ Thyme oil was used as a rubefacient and counter-irritant in
rheumatism and neuralgic pain

Action and Uses:

Carminative , bronchial antispasmodic, antibacterial and antiseptic effects

Uses described in pharmacopoeias and in traditional systems of medicine

- Orally to treat dyspepsia and other gastrointestinal disturbances, coughs due to colds, bronchitis

and pertussis.

- Gargle: laryngitis and tonsillitis.

- Topical: treatment of minor wounds, disorders of the oral cavity, and as an antibacterial agent in

oral hygiene.

- Thymol is widely used in dentistry as a mouthwash, but it is toxic in high doses and should not
be taken internally or applied externally in large amounts. Thyme is commonly used as
a flavouring ingredient in foods

- Thymol B.P. and European Pharmacopoeia is antimicrobial preservative and antiseptic.

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