What Is the Difference Between Thymol and Thyme Oil?

Thymol is a significant component of thyme oil. Both thymol and thyme essential oils have been used since ages as anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antiseptic, and antibacterial agents, mainly in treating the upper respiratory system.
As both sound similar, they are often mistaken as the same thing. However, significant differences exist. If you are curious to learn them, dive into this blog immediately.

Before knowing the difference between the two, let's know the terms individually:

About Thyme

Thyme is a Mediterranean herb with medicinal, dietary, and decorative uses. Thyme flowers, leaves, and oil have traditionally been used to cure various ailments and concerns. It also helps in fighting bacterial and fungal infections. Furthermore, thyme is used for relieving cough and has antioxidant effects. The most common use of thyme is for patchy hair loss (alopecia areata), cough, etc.

About Thymol

Thymol, also known as 5-methyl-2-isopropyl phenol and 2-isopropyl-5-methyl phenol, is a natural monoterpenoid phenol, colourless and crystalline, with a characteristic odour. It is also an isomer of carvacrol and the main active element in oil produced from the species Thymus vulgaris, generally known as thyme. It also provides a distinctive flavour of the culinary herb thyme.

Thymol vs. Thyme

Thymol (10-64%) is a prominent ingredient of thyme essential oils. It is an active ingredient in pesticides approved for animal
repellents, fungicides/fungistats, medical disinfectants, tuberculocidal, and virucide.

Uses of Thyme

The fresh leaves of Thyme can be consumed directly through tea or garnishing. Some also use thyme leaves to protect linen from insects by putting them between the layers of linen. Manufacturers across the globe use the extract oil of thyme for different applications, including as an ingredient in deodorants and scenting soaps. Thyme oil is also found in insect repellent & antiseptic creams. Farmers in the Mediterranean use thyme oil for preserving olives.

Thyme Oil Uses and Perks

There are several case studies done in the recent past that suggest that Thyme essential oil has a remarkable property that improves heart health, reduces or eradicates foodborne bacteria, and alleviates other types of body inflammation. Further, more research needs to be done to scientifically back the perks mentioned above associated with Thyme oil.

It contains several compounds that benefit health. These compounds are as follows:

• Thymol
• Llinalool
• Carvacrol
• Cineol
• Camphor
• Borneol