Simply Earth is promoting their Thyme Essential Oil and I was given some to try out. I love essential oils and have oil diffusers and other aromatherapy supplies, so I was really excited to receive this. It is a very strong earthy, green, musty smell which is great by itself too.
Thyme has been used for thousands of years all around the Mediterranean countries and is even noted in some of Hippocrates works and noted for its culinary and medicinal properties. It has been used as incense and alcoholic flavoring by the Romans.
At first I was a bit put off by its strong smell, but after having it out and burning in my oil burner it became nice and fresh.
Here are some uses for Thyme Oil that I found at HealthImpactNews.com
1) Anti-Carcinogenic: According to the journal Nutrition and Cancer, researchers from Celal Bayar University in Turkey conducted a study to see what effect wild thyme might have on breast cancer cells, especially how wild thyme affected cell death and epigenetic events in breast cancer cells. Researchers in this study confirmed that wild thyme induced cell death in the breast cancer cells, noting that wild thyme “may be a promising candidate in the development of novel therapeutic drugs for breast cancer treatment.” In as little as 72 hours of in vitro breast cancer treatment, thyme essential oil was able to kill 98% in human breast cancer cells (MCF-7) with a concentration of only 0.05%. In other studies, thyme essential oil has also proven successful in treating oral and ovarian cancer. A study found that extracts of Mastic Thyne (Thymus mastichina L.) may protect from colon cancers.
2) Acne: After testing the effects of myrrh, marigold and thyme tinctures on Propionibacterium acnes, the bacterium that causes acne, scientists at Leeds Metropolitan University in England found that thyme preparations may be more effective than acne prescription creams. The researchers reported that while all three tinctures killed the bacterium within five minutes of exposure, thyme was by far the most effective. Thyme was the most effective of the trio, killing around 100,000 bacteria per ml – or half a million per teaspoonful. They also discovered that thyme tincture had a significantly greater antibacterial effect than standard concentrations of benzoyl peroxide, the active ingredient found in the majority of creams and washes aimed at people with acne.
3) Antispasmodic: 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.
4) Antirheumatic: 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 blood stream. 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 stimulates or activates circulation and thereby sorts out this problem in a separate way. Both ways helps cure rheumatism, and related conditions like arthritis.
5) Antiseptic: Thyme essential oil is a good antiseptic and safeguards wounds and sores against infections. This is mainly due to the presence of components like Caryophyllene and Camphene in thyme.
6) Anti-hypertensive: Researchers at the University of Belgrade, Serbia, reported in the journal Plant Foods for Human Nutrition that an aqueous extract obtained from Thymus serpyllum L. (wild thyme) reduced blood pressure in an animal experiment on laboratory rats. In an Abstract in the journal, the study authors wrote “Our results indicate that TE may protect against hypertension in experimental model of essential hypertension.” It’s important to note that some chemotypes of thyme can also act as hypertensives (see #15)
7) Bactericidal: 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. It kills bacteria as well as keeps 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.
8) Tonic: Thyme essential oil also tones up the circulatory system, heart, digestive system, nervous system, muscles, and skin while fortifying them and boosting immunity.
Other Benefits: It acts as a memory booster and an antidepressant. It helps to increase concentration and helps to 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.
There are more to be found at their website. So you see with all of these great benefits and getting use to the strong powerful smell, can actually be really good for you. I am just learning about aromatherapies and am really enjoying the different smells and fragrances.
Thanks for the kind and honest review!
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