Thymus vulgaris v Thuyanol, Thymus vulgaris v Geraniol, Thymus vulgaris v Linalool

Labiateae family

Various types of thyme are grown around the world, in almost every climate, and varying constituents, and appearances, but they are all thyme.

We at Enfleurage have three and these are all specific to different uses.

They are all Thymus vulgaris and the basic indications for thyme are woven throughout. All of our thymes are considered to be of more skin-friendly chemotypes.

Arctander is not very helpful on this “thymly” occasion. The thymes he refers to are the “red” or “white” thyme (vulgaris) or the zygis or serpolet. There’s also the confusion between oregano and thyme and savory etc. Excuse me, but we don’t have “thyme” for that! I know, it’s corny, but I can’t help it.

This is all just to say we are not going to talk much about the perfume possibilities of thyme here.

There’s no thyme for it (sorry.)

Thyme

A Poem by Nassy Fesharaki

With the thyme came to mind
History of civil of the Nile
And Romans and Iran

I smile at the thoughts
Featherless and flights
To unseen past of might

Just a name and of a veg
Takes me back to old age
What they did; and/or made

There was no perfume
As we see now-a-day
In package and bottle

But they loved aroma
Gathered fruits, fresh-ripe
And the herbs in the bulk

Then dried, roasted, burned
Scattered; and they turned
The scent made by smoke

Now I'll use in my soup
Want to know its effect
In my tummy; and brain

Still I remember
Espand of my mother
And women of Hormuz
‘Taking round the smoke'

The Rarest Thyme

Poem by Thomas McCarthy

For you I would have built a herb-garden,
Not a pathetic patch for mint and chives

But a real olitory, with old-
Fashioned southernwood and rarest thyme.

I might have built a wooden seat between
Two plants of rosemary, their astringent

Scent seeping through your workshirt to the clean
Flesh of your back. I would have grown a plant

Of basil for you to stroke into form;
And, certainly, a row of lavender

To infuse carefully over a warm
Stove, for you to sip at whenever

The world became darkened with sick headaches,
Or a loss of blood whitened your small hands

Now, to Sal Battaglia and

The Complete Guide to Aromatherapy

Thyme in general is known for strong anti-microbial activity and useful in a wide variety of applications.

It’s also recommended for the digestive system as an appetite stimulant and as a carminative.

Thyme in general is recommended for all types of infections and stimulates white blood cell production, so it’s an asset to the immune system.

Musculoskeletal system-injuries, arthritis, etc, cramps

Nervous system—stimulant and nerve tonic

Respiraotry system—so many uses and indications: for colds, congestion, catarrh, etc

It’s notable that the thymol and carvacrol chemotypes have the most anti-microbial activity, according to studies. These chemotypes have the highest risk for skin sensitization and irritation. I encourage you to read as much as possible about thyme.

Linalool Ct

Thyme linalool is the ones considered to be gentle on the skin. Linalool is a constituent one finds in lavender, so that will give you an idea.

Holmes, via Battaglia, says Linlool can be recommended for specific fungal, bacterial and viral infections. He also recommends the linalool Chemotype for emotional issues etc

Thyme linalool is considered to have great infection fighting properties while being safe enough to use topically.

Thyme Thujanol

This is a wild thyme from the mountains of Provence. Known as "the King of Aromatherapy," this thyme chemotype is well tolerated on the skin. Thyme thujanol can be used directly and undiluted on the skin (this applies to most people--it's safer to patch test first.)

Schnaubelt, via Battaglia, states that the Thuyanol chemotype is not only non-toxic and non-irritating, but the oil is very strong in antiviral and antibacterial qualities. He recommends this cheomtype is useful for internal as well as external use.

Holmes, via Battaglia, states that Thyme Thuyanol is an arterial circulatory stimulant with warming and tonifying actions, useful for bacterial and viral infections or respiratory and urogenital systems.

Geraniol

Holmes, via Battaglia, states that Thyme Geraniol is a cardiac restorative

Blend thyme with other oils in the spirit of what you are blending for.

Some suggestions: Black pepper, ginger, spike lavender, sweet marjoram, eucalyptus, myrtle, pine, tea tree, lemon, cinnamon bark, geranium, lavender, sweet orange or peppermint.