Thyme Oil

Chemical properties

colourless to light yellow or red liquid

Chemical properties

Thyme oils are obtained by steam distillation of flowering herb of the thyme species Thymus vulgaris L., grown in the Mediterranean region and in Eastern Europe, and of Thymus zygis L., cultivated in Spain.The typical character of true thymian oils is a relatively high content of the phenolic compounds thymol and carvacrol, although thyme oils containing other main constituents (linalool, borneol) may also be traded as thyme oils.
The best known thyme oil is Spanish red thyme oil obtained from T. zygis L. It is a red or reddish liquid with a strong, characteristic, spicy, phenolic odor and a sharp, lasting taste and has the highest thymol content of all thyme oils.
d²⁰₂₀ 0.910–0.937; n²⁰_D 1.4940–1.5040; α²⁰_D ?6 ° to ?1 °; solubility: 1 vol in ≤3 vol of 80% ethanol.
The main constituent of thyme oil is thymol (37–55%), which also predominantly determines the sensory properties of the oil.

Chemical properties

T. vulgaris L. and T. zygis L. are commonly used for the distillation of the essential oil. Spain produces the largest amount. T. serpyllum L. is also used for distillation (Russia). This oil is not only of limited interest to the flavorist, but also commercially rare. T. serpyllum extracts have been used to a limited extent in the preparation of galenic products. T. capitatus Hoff. & Link. is a variety growing in Sicily, Spain and North Africa; it also is used for distillation. The oil is obtained by water and steam distillation of the partially dried flowering plant of T. vulgaris and T. zygis in varying yields (0.5 to 1.2%). It has a strong, aromatic odor and a warm, somewhat sharp flavor (red thyme oil). White thyme oil is obtained by rectification of the distilled red thyme oil, exhibiting similar, but milder odor and flavor characteristics.

Physical properties

The oil is a colorless, yellow or red liquid. The oil is affected by light. White thyme oil is a pale-yellow liquid.

Occurrence

Found in the plants Thymus vulgaris L. and Thymus zygis L. (Fam. Labiatae) (Guenther, 1949).

The Uses of Thyme Oil

thyme oil is widely used in botanical therapy since antiquity for its warming, stimulating, and cleansing properties, it is also considered a powerful anti-septic and tonic. Thyme oil serves as a natural preservative with anti-bacterial activity against a wide spectrum of bacterial classes. The genus Thymus produces a variety of species, subspecies, and chemotypes, many with completely different chemical compositions. This includes citriodora thyme, lemon thyme, and red thyme. Lemon thyme is described as healing and soothing for its use in skin care. The oil is obtained from the herb’s branches and flowers.

Preparation

By water and steam distillation of the partially dried plants Thymus vulgaris L. and Thymus zygis L. (Gildemeister & Hoffman, 1961).

Definition

Extractives and their physically modified derivatives. Thymus vulgaris or Thymus zygis, Labiatae.

Essential oil composition

Thymol and carvacrol are the two main constituents of the oil. Their relative percentage ratio in the oil varies widely, depending on the botanical source. Other constituents include anisyl alcohol, linalool, borneol, geraniol, camphene and gamma-terpinene.

Safety Profile

Moderately toxic by ingestion. A severe skin irritant. Mutation data reported. An allergen. Combustible when exposed to heat or flame. When heated to decomposition it emits acrid smoke and irritating fumes.