Thymol

Phenolic, terpenoid natural substance and component of the essential oil of thymus vulgaris (thyme oil) and other thymus species.

Thymol forms colourless crystals smelling of thyme, which are easily dissolved in ethanol, ether, fatty oils and liquid paraffin. Thymol is soluble in water. It is present as a solid at room temperature.

Thymol has a local disinfecting, fungicidal and antibacterial effect. There have been isolated reports of immunostimulating effects. Thymol acts as a repellent. In bee care, thymol is used against mite infestation.

Thymol is used in ointments as an antiseptic. It is also used for wound treatment and as an aqueous solution in mouthwashes.

In 5% alcoholic solution it can be used for skin disinfection.
Systemically, thymol is said to have an immunostimulating effect. This requires further investigation.
Thymol is one of the main active agents in the naturopathically used thyme chest compresses and thyme oil compresses. Indications:Colds, acute and chronic bronchitis (J20.9; J42), COPD (J44.99).

Cosmetics: in cosmetics, thymol is used as denaturant, fragrance and hair dye.

Criniton® solution, Kamistad® gel, Tumarol® N balm,

Thymol is excreted either unchanged or in glucuronidated form.

1. Chauhan AK et al (2013) Potentiation of macrophage activity by thymol through augmenting phagocytosis. Int Immunopharmacol 18:340-346.
2. Marchese A et al (2016) Antibacterial and antifungal activities of thymol: A brief review of the literature. Food Chem 210:402-414.
3. Nabavi SM et al (2015) Plants belonging to the genus Thymus as antibacterial agents: from farm to pharmacy. Food Chem 173:339-347.
4. Rodriguez-Garcia I et al (2016) Oregano Essential Oil as an Antimicrobial and Antioxidant Additive in Food Products. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr 56:1717-1727.