Therapeutic potential of Thymus vulgaris: A Review

Thymus vulgaris belongs to the family of Lamiaceae, which are flowering plants with aroma. Plant of Thyme grows in the Mediterranean region. Due to essential oils extracted from the leaves of the thyme, which gives aromatic and therapeutic properties. Besides many other health benefits, thyme possesses many medicinal properties. Essential oils of thyme are also crucial in pharmaceutical, cosmeceuticals, and nutraceuticals sectors. Significant oil components contain carvacrol, p-cymene, thymol, and γ-terpinene of thyme's most important ones. Thymol is a naturally-occurring constituent of thyme. It is a 10-64% major part of the thyme oil. It is a monoterpene derivative of cymene and isomer of carvacrol. These constituents have potent anti-fungal, anti-bacterial, and antioxidant activities. These are also beneficial in treating cancers, reduces inflammation, antimicrobial, antispasmodic, immunomodulator, and growth enhancers. It also helps to improve mouth infection. The essential oil of Thymus is safe and used as a natural preservative. Essential oils present in thyme are extracted through many different extraction techniques. Hydro-distillation, steam distillation, hydro diffusion or solvent extraction, and microwave‐assisted extraction are the most common extraction techniques. Plants aroma isolates are used in many food and fragrance companies. The most widely used means of producing this aroma is constituting organic solvent.