Wild thyme
Scientific names: Thymus serpyllum
Family: Lamiaceae/Labiatae
Alternate names: Breckland Thyme, Creeping Thyme, Garden Thyme, Iper, Mother of Thyme, Serpolet, Serpyllum, Shepherd's Thyme, Thym des Jardins, Thym de Bergère, Thym à Feuilles Étroites, Thym Sauvage, Thym Serpolet, Tomillo Silvestre
Actions: Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, Cytotoxic
Background
Wild thyme (Thymus serpyllum) is a shrub with long, trailing stems that is native to Europe. Its flowering parts have been used in traditional medicine.
Wild thyme contains an essential oil that might have antioxidant and antibacterial effects.
People use wild thyme for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
Don't confuse wild thyme with thyme, which is a similar species, or with Spanish origanum oil, which is sometimes called "Spanish thyme." These are not the same.
Wild thyme contains an essential oil that might have antioxidant and antibacterial effects.
People use wild thyme for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
Don't confuse wild thyme with thyme, which is a similar species, or with Spanish origanum oil, which is sometimes called "Spanish thyme." These are not the same.
Safety Safety definitions
When taken by mouth: Wild thyme is commonly consumed in foods. It's flowering parts are possibly safe when used as medicine.
Thyroid disorders: Wild thyme can affect hormones that control the thyroid gland. Talk with your healthcare provider before use if you have a thyroid disorder.
Special Precautions & Warnings:
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if wild thyme is safe to use when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.Thyroid disorders: Wild thyme can affect hormones that control the thyroid gland. Talk with your healthcare provider before use if you have a thyroid disorder.
Effectiveness
Effective Effectiveness definitions
There is interest in using wild thyme for a number of purposes, but there isn't enough reliable information to say whether it might be helpful.
Dosing & administration
There isn't enough reliable information to know what an appropriate dose of wild thyme might be. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult a healthcare professional before using.
Interactions with pharmaceuticals
It is not known if Wild Thyme interacts with any medicines. Before taking Wild Thyme, talk with your healthcare professional if you take any medications.
Interactions with herbs & supplements
There are no known interactions with herbs and supplements.
Interactions with foods
There are no known interactions with foods.
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This monograph was last reviewed on 31/07/2023 10:00:00 and last updated on 15/06/2018 02:13:09. Monographs are reviewed and/or updated multiple times per month and at least once per year.
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Natural Medicines rates safety based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Likely Safe, Possibly Safe, Possibly Unsafe, Likely Unsafe, Unsafe, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate. For more information about Natural Medicines’ Safety Rating System, click here.
The Natural Medicines Effectiveness Ratings are assigned for specific indications. A product might be rated "Possibly Effective" for one condition, but be rated "Likely Ineffective" for another condition, depending on the evidence. For more info click here.
