21 Incredible Health Benefits of Thyme Essential Oil

by Meenakshi Nagdeve last updated -

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Thyme is a common herb and is generally used as a condiment or spice. Besides that, thyme is also used in herbal and domestic medicines. It is botanically known as Thymus vulgaris.


Health Benefits of Thyme essential oil

Thyme essential oil has many benefits and people use it for improving their skin, blood circulation, and strengthening the immune system. The amazing health benefits of thyme essential oil are explained below.

Increases Circulation


Boosts Immune System

Some of the volatile components of thyme oil, such as camphene and alpha-pinene, are able to strengthen the immune system with their antibacterial and antifungal properties. This makes them effective both inside and outside the body, protecting the mucous membranes, gut and respiratory system from potential infections. The antioxidant properties of this oil also help to reduce free radical damage.



Bottles of thyme oil with fresh thyme leaves on a wooden table

Thyme oil Photo Credit: Shutterstock

Skin Care



Millions of people around the world suffer from coughs, cramps, and aches due to spasms. Spasms are unwanted and excessive involuntary contractions which may take place in the respiratory tracts, nerves, muscles, intestines or other organs and may result in coughs, convulsions, epileptic or hysterical attacks, cramps and muscular aches, abdominal and intestinal aches, and even spasmodic cholera.


There are two main reasons behind rheumatism, arthritis, and gout. The first is improper or obstructed circulation and the second one is an increasing concentration of toxins like uric acid in the bloodstream. Thyme essential oil can sort out both of these problems. Since it is a diuretic, it increases urination and helps in the removal of toxins from the body. Being a stimulant, it activates circulation and thereby sorts out this problem in a separate way. The anti-inflammatory properties of thymol are well known, and in some varieties of thyme oil, up to 70% is thymol. This powerful compound can help to ease the pain of your joints and promote better range of motion, while also promoting blood flow to those areas, making you feel stronger and more in control of your arthritic symptoms.

Kills Bacteria

The same caryophyllene and camphene, along with a few other components, give thyme essential oil antibacterial properties. This inhibits bacterial growth within and outside of the body by killing the bacteria as well as keeping them away from the organs in the body. This is particularly beneficial in curing bacterial infections like B-Colitis, renal colic, bacterial infections in the genitals and urethra, intestines, and respiratory system as well as the external exposure of wounds. Thyme essential oil is a good antiseptic and safeguards wounds and sores against infections.



Protects Heart Health

This is a very important and useful property of thyme essential oil in today’s context when heart troubles are growing at an alarming rate. This oil is very beneficial for the heart. It keeps the valves functioning properly while being an antispasmodic, it relaxes the arteries and veins and thereby reduces stress on the heart. Furthermore, it strengthens cardiac muscles and tones up the heart, since it is a tonic. Basically, thyme essential oil is good for every part of heart health.


Gases that build up in the stomach and intestines are not as innocent as they appear. Their effect is not limited to unpleasant odors alone. They can rob you of your appetite and sleep, raise your blood pressure, pose a threat to your heart, give you severe stomach aches, cramps, vomiting, headaches, and nausea. In extreme cases, excessive gas can even put your life in danger too. Therefore, the gas must be handled with care and treated in a timely manner. Thyme essential oil, being a carminative and an antispasmodic, forces the removal of gases through downward movement (upward movement is very dangerous) and does not let them build up again.

Stimulates Urination

Those who are suffering from an accumulation of water in the body due to chronic renal failure or from growing concentration of toxins and salts in the blood are sure to benefit from this essential oil. It increases urination and helps in the removal of excess water, salts, and toxins from the body. This helps to reduce weight, lower blood pressure, reduce fats, and improve digestion as well.


Women should be very interested in this property of thyme essential oil. They are always searching for something that can give them relief from obstructed and painful menstruation, irregular periods, and premature menopause. Thyme essential oil is the answer to this problem. It opens obstructed menses, gives relief from the symptoms like abdominal pain, fatigue, nausea, depression, and low blood pressure associated with menstruation. It can also delay menopause, thereby keeping women healthy, happy, and fertile. Thyme oil is known to have certain hormone-balancing properties and can stimulate the production of progesterone. For women who are going through menopause or have already experienced the change, regular use of thyme oil can help them keep their hormonal levels under control.


When you are suffering from colds and coughs, you need to find an expectorant and thyme essential oil is a great one! It helps to cure infections that cause a cough and cold and drains congestion, thereby giving relief from a cough and cold.

Regulates Blood Pressure

You might raise your eyebrows about this medicinal property and may not see it as a benefit. However, this property is very beneficial for those who are suffering from low blood pressure. These people run the risk of falling unconscious at any time and feeling sluggish. This oil can normalize their blood pressure by raising it, which is just as important sometimes as lowering it.


It stimulates circulation, digestion, nervous responses, and the secretion of hormones, thereby stimulating the whole metabolism.

Boosts Energy

The stimulation of circulation and the metabolic boost provided by thyme oil adds up to a noticeable energy boost. If you regularly suffer from fatigue during the day, even if you have a good night’s sleep, even inhaling the aromatic compounds of thyme oil can give you an energetic push.

Detoxifies the Body

Linalool is one of the most common components in thyme oil, and it also has a number of antioxidant and detoxifying effects on the body. Most importantly, it can stimulate healing and regeneration in the liver and helps to detoxify the liver rapidly.

Relieves Anxiety

Thyme oil is a popular aromatherapy oil for numerous reasons, but primarily due to its stress-relieving abilities. Inhaling thyme oil or topically applying some diluted oil to your temples, chest or neck can help lower your overall stress levels and leave you feeling energized in a positive way, rather than an anxious one.


If you have been suffering from coughing symptoms for a long time and antibiotics cannot help you anymore, then you might want to give this essential oil a try. Unlike when using potent antibiotics, you need not risk your kidneys, heart, liver, stomach, and eyes with this oil. It is capable of curing infections in the chest (lungs, bronchi, larynx, and pharynx) and stopping coughs.


Thyme essential oil kills worms. You can try it on intestinal worms like roundworms and tapeworms, as well as maggots in open sores and hookworms, which are notoriously difficult to eliminate.



Other Benefits

It acts as a memory booster and an antidepressant. It helps to increase concentration and cure sinusitis, bronchitis, anorexia, cellulite, eczema, athlete’s foot, dermatitis, insect and animal bites, stings, laryngitis, pharyngitis, and other infections. Finally, it can be used to eliminate bad breath and body odor.

Word of Caution: It is an irritant to some people and may cause allergic reactions in some cases. It is also a hypertensive substance that increases blood pressure, so those with high blood pressure should use it after consulting a doctor. It is an emmenagogue, therefore, it should be avoided during pregnancy.

Blending: The essential oil of thyme blends well with the essential oils of Bergamot, Grapefruit, Lemon, Lavender, Rosemary, and Pine.

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