Nowadays many health care professionals recommend to use Thyme and it is extracts against flu infections. This is a summary of the scientific conclusions reached by European Medicine Agency, the Committee on Herbal Medicinal Products (HMPC) on the medicinal uses of thyme.
What is Thyme?
Thyme is the common name for the leaves and flowers of the plants Thymus vulgaris L. or Thymus zygis L. The HMPC conclusions only cover thyme preparations which are obtained by drying and comminuting (reducing into tiny pieces) the leaves and flowers, by expressing the juice of the leaves and flowers or as dry, liquid and soft extracts. Extracts are obtained by putting the plant material in a solvent (such as water and ethanol) to dissolve compounds and form a liquid extract. The solvent is then partially or completely evaporated to obtain a soft or dry extract.
Herbal medicines containing these thyme preparations are usually available as herbal tea to be drunk or in liquid or solid forms to be taken by mouth.
The HMPC concluded that, on the basis of it is longstanding use, these thyme preparations can be used for productive (chesty) coughs associated with colds. This means that, although there is insufficient evidence from clinical trials, the effectiveness of these herbal medicines is plausible and there is evidence that they have been used safely in this way for at least 30 years (including at least 15 years within the EU). Moreover, the intended use does not require medical supervision.
Most thyme preparations should only be used in adults and adolescents over the age of 12 years, but a few can also be used in children above 4 years. If symptoms last longer than one week or worsen during the use of the medicine, a doctor or a qualified healthcare practitioner should be consulted.
Thyme medicines must not be used in patients who are allergic to thyme or to other plants of the Lamiaceae (Labiatae) family. Stomach problems may occur.
Further information on the risks associated with these thyme medicines, including the appropriate precautions for their safe use, can be found in the monograph on the agency’s website.
Hülya Dağöttüren
Biochemist- M.B.A.
T.C. Yeditepe University
Head of Medical Device and Cosmetics
R&D Manufacturing Department
