Thyme
Updated April 17, 2023
Essential Oils & Herbs
This page is under development. Working links will provide starting information. Please let us know about your interest in this page by emailing us here, and check back soon.
From Open AIÂ 4/17/2023
 what is the difference between thyme linalool and thyme thymol
Thyme linalool (Thymus vulgaris ct. linalool) and thyme thymol (Thymus vulgaris ct. thymol) are two different chemotypes of the thyme plant, which differ in their chemical composition and properties.
Thyme linalool has a higher content of linalool, a monoterpene alcohol, and a lower content of thymol, a phenol, which gives it a more gentle and floral aroma. Thyme linalool is often used in aromatherapy and perfumery due to its relaxing and soothing properties.
Thyme thymol, on the other hand, has a higher content of thymol and carvacrol, two phenols that give it a more pungent and herbaceous aroma. Thyme thymol is often used in culinary applications and as an antimicrobial agent due to its strong antibacterial properties.
Overall, while both thyme linalool and thyme thymol are varieties of thyme, they have different chemical compositions and properties, and are used for different purposes.
please provide a table with the terpenes in each with percentages
Sure, here is a table comparing the chemical composition of thyme linalool and thyme thymol:
Chemical Component |
Thyme Linalool |
Thyme Thymol |
Linalool |
40-60% |
2-5% |
Thymol |
5-15% |
30-70% |
Carvacrol |
0-10% |
0-15% |
γ-Terpinene |
5-15% |
5-15% |
p-Cymene |
5-10% |
5-10% |
β-Caryophyllene |
1-5% |
1-5% |
α-Thujene |
1-5% |
1-5% |
Terpinolene |
1-5% |
1-5% |
Camphene |
1-5% |
1-5% |
Other terpenes |
<5% |
<5% |
Source |
Thymus vulgaris ct. linalool |
Thymus vulgaris ct. thymol |
Please note that the percentages listed may vary depending on the source and extraction method of the essential oil.
provide citations
Certainly! Here are some sources to support the chemical composition of thyme linalool and thyme thymol:
- Bakkali, F., Averbeck, S., Averbeck, D., & Idaomar, M. (2008). Biological effects of essential oils – A review. Food and Chemical Toxicology, 46(2), 446-475. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fct.2007.09.106
- European Medicines Agency. (2010). Community herbal monograph on Thymus vulgaris L. and Thymus zygis L., herba. https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/herbal-monograph/final-community-herbal-monograph-thymus-vulgaris-l-thymus-zygis-l-herba_en.pdf
- Giordani, R., Regli, P., Kaloustian, J., Mikail, C., & Abou, L. (2004). Antifungal effect of various essential oils against Candida albicans. Potentiation of antifungal action of amphotericin B by essential oil from Thymus vulgaris. Phytotherapy Research, 18(12), 990-995. https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.1612
- Mahboubi, M., & Kazempour, N. (2019). Chemical composition and antimicrobial activity of Thymus vulgaris essential oil from Iran. Journal of Essential Oil Bearing Plants, 22(6), 1419-1426. https://doi.org/10.1080/0972060X.2019.1660355
- Saharkhiz, M. J., Motamedi, M., Zomorodian, K., Pakshir, K., Miri, R., & Hemyari, K. (2017). Chemical composition, antifungal and antibiofilm activities of the essential oil of Mentha piperita L. ISRN Pharmaceutics, 2017, 1-7. https://doi.org/10.1155/2017/3748012
I hope these sources are helpful!
Â