Thyme Oil – 15ml

What is Thyme Oil?

There are many different subspecies of thyme, but the most common and the one from which we distill our essential oil is Thymus vulgaris. This is also called common thyme or garden thyme. The plant is a bushy, evergreen shrub with gray-green leaves, which are the part that has the characteristic aroma. During the summer, the shrubs grow small pink or purple flowers.

The name “thyme” comes from the Greek word thymos, meaning perfume. At various points of time throughout history, thyme has been associated with courage. Roman soldiers would exchange sprigs of the herb as a sign of respect and it was often gifted to knights during the Middle Ages. Interestingly, thyme was also associated with safe passage into the afterlife. It was used in embalming rituals by Ancient Egyptians, placed on coffins or used as incense during funerals in Medieval times. In the Victorian era, patches of thyme were seen as a sure sign that fairies had recently been in the area.

At Pyurvana, we extract thyme oil from the leaves using steam distillation. Sprigs are thyme are placed in a vat and heated, vaporizing the aromatic compounds in the plant. We then condense the vapor and purify the oil.

Complementary Scents

The warm aroma of thyme creates a lovely contrast with citrus scents including orange, grapefruit, and lemon. It also pairs well with other herbal essential oils such as rosemary and oregano.

Primary Benefits

When properly diluted, thyme oil can be a great option for skin care. It can help give you a more vibrant complexion and can also reduce the appearance of any imperfections. Its cleansing properties make it an excellent addition to your skin care routine.

Thyme’s aroma is uplifting and energizing, so this is a great oil to diffuse when you need to focus or are in need of a pick-me-up. For added effect, you can pair it with the complementary citrus scents, which are also associated with these benefits. You can experiment to create your own blends that boost your mood.

Thymol, the major component of thyme oil, has a warming effect, and this makes it a great ingredient for a homemade massage oil. Simply dilute the thyme essential oil in your favorite carrier oil.

How to Use Thyme Essential Oil

To diffuse thyme oil, follow the instructions for your specific model of diffuser. This will usually involve adding a few drops of the oil to water. Make sure not to use too much or keep the diffuser running for too long, as this can lead to overexposure.

You should always dilute thyme oil before using it topically. To do this, add three drops of the essential oil to one teaspoon of carrier oil for general purposes or three drops in four teaspoons of carrier oil for facial application. You may prefer to start with a lower dilution if you have sensitive skin.