The name thyme actually comes from the Greek word “thymos,” meaning small because of the fragrance of the plant. Thyme belongs to over 300 species of hardy, perennial herbaceous plants and shrubs that are native to Europe, particularly around Mediterranian. It is one of Hippocrates 400 simple remedies. Essential oil of thyme (Thymus Spp, T. citriodorits, T. Vulgaris-Labiatae/Lamiaceae) is obtained from the leaves and flowering tops by steam distillation method. Its principal constituents include 20-40% thymol and carvacrol with borneol, cineol, linalool, menthone, B-cymene, pinene, and triterpenic acid. Thyme oil is a tonic stimulant and the stomachic and digestive relieve gastritis, enterocolitis, and mouth thrush. It is useful for respiratory infections, asthma, and bronchitis. It is effective for treating swelling provoked by gout or rheumatic problems, joint pains, backache, and sciatica. Thyme oil is also useful for urinary and vaginal infections, endometritis (candida), prostrates, and vaginitis.[20] Thyme oil exhibits antibacterial activity and has been useful in dental practice.[23] A component of thyme, known as thymol, appears to inhibit the growth of oral pathogens in the mouth and in combination with other essential oils, may reduce dental caries.[24,25] In patients with orthodontic brackets, a dental varnish containing thymol reduced the proportion of Streptococcus mutans in supragingival plaque near the bracket.[26] Thymol is one of the essential oils with antibacterial effects found in Listerine.[27] In the study of Gislene et al., 2000[28] Hili et al.,1997[29] and Nzeako et al., 2006[30] thyme and clove oil possessed antimicrobial activity against S. aureus, E. coli, and C. Albicans at various concentration of the extracts. In our study, antimicrobial susceptibility in order of sequence for thyme oil was E. coli with MIC: 2 μl/ml, MBC: 8 μl/ml, C. Albicans with MIC, MFC: 16 μl/ml, E. faecalis with MIC, MBC: 32 μl/ml and S. aureus with MIC, MBC: 32 μl/ml respectively.
The name thyme actually comes from the Greek word “thymos,” meaning small because of the fragrance of the plant. Thyme belongs to over 300 species of hardy, perennial herbaceous plants and shrubs that are native to Europe, particularly around Mediterranian. It is one of Hippocrates 400 simple remedies. Essential oil of thyme (Thymus Spp, T. citriodorits, T. Vulgaris-Labiatae/Lamiaceae) is obtained from the leaves and flowering tops by steam distillation method. Its principal constituents include 20-40% thymol and carvacrol with borneol, cineol, linalool, menthone, B-cymene, pinene, and triterpenic acid. Thyme oil is a tonic stimulant and the stomachic and digestive relieve gastritis, enterocolitis, and mouth thrush. It is useful for respiratory infections, asthma, and bronchitis. It is effective for treating swelling provoked by gout or rheumatic problems, joint pains, backache, and sciatica. Thyme oil is also useful for urinary and vaginal infections, endometritis (candida), prostrates, and vaginitis.[20] Thyme oil exhibits antibacterial activity and has been useful in dental practice.[23] A component of thyme, known as thymol, appears to inhibit the growth of oral pathogens in the mouth and in combination with other essential oils, may reduce dental caries.[24,25] In patients with orthodontic brackets, a dental varnish containing thymol reduced the proportion of Streptococcus mutans in supragingival plaque near the bracket.[26] Thymol is one of the essential oils with antibacterial effects found in Listerine.[27] In the study of Gislene et al., 2000[28] Hili et al.,1997[29] and Nzeako et al., 2006[30] thyme and clove oil possessed antimicrobial activity against S. aureus, E. coli, and C. Albicans at various concentration of the extracts. In our study, antimicrobial susceptibility in order of sequence for thyme oil was E. coli with MIC: 2 μl/ml, MBC: 8 μl/ml, C. Albicans with MIC, MFC: 16 μl/ml, E. faecalis with MIC, MBC: 32 μl/ml and S. aureus with MIC, MBC: 32 μl/ml respectively.