The Encyclopedia of Essential Oils (31 page)

Thymus vulgaris

FAMILY Lamiaceae (Labiatae)

SYNONYMS
T. aestivus, T. ilerdensis, T. webbianus, T. valentianus
, French thyme, garden thyme, red thyme (oil), white thyme (oil).

GENERAL DESCRIPTION A perennial evergreen subshrub up to 45 cms high with a woody root and much-branched upright stem. It has small, grey-green, oval, aromatic leaves and pale purple or white flowers.

DISTRIBUTION Native to Spain and the Mediterranean region; now found throughout Asia Minor, Algeria, Turkey, Tunisia, Israel, the USA, Russia, China and central Europe. The oil is mainly produced in Spain but also in France, Israel, Greece, Morocco, Algeria, Germany and the USA.

OTHER SPECIES There are numerous varieties of thyme – the common thyme is believed to have derived from the wild thyme or mother-of-thyme
(T. serpyllum)
, which is also used to produce an essential oil called serpolet, similar in effect to the common thyme oil.

Another species used for the production of the so-called red thyme oil is particularly the Spanish sauce thyme (T.
zygis)
, a highly penetrating oil good for cellulitis, sports injuries, etc. (although, like the common thyme, it is a skin irritant). Other species used for essential oil production include lemon thyme (T.
citriodorus)
, a fresh scented oil good for asthma and other respiratory conditions, safe for children. See also Botanical Classification section.

HERBAL/FOLK TRADITION One of the earliest medicinal plants employed throughout the Mediterranean region, well known to both Hippocrates and Dioscorides. It was used by the ancient Egyptians in the embalming process, and by the ancient Greeks to fumigate against infectious illness; the name derives from the Greek
thymos
meaning ‘to perfume’. It is also a long-established culinary herb, especially used for the preservation of meat.

It has a wide range of uses, though in Western herbal medicine its main areas of application are respiratory problems, digestive complaints and the prevention and treatment of infection. In the British Herbal Pharmacopoeia it is indicated for dyspepsia, chronic gastritis, bronchitis, pertussis, asthma, children’s diarrhoea, laryngitis, tonsillitis and enuresis in children.

ACTIONS Anthelmintic, antimicrobial, anti-oxidant, antiputrescent, antirheumatic, antiseptic (intestinal, pulmonary, genito-urinary), antispasmodic, antitussive, antitoxic, aperitif, astringent, aphrodisiac, bactericidal, balsamic, carminative, cicatrisant, diuretic, emmenagogue, expectorant, fungicidal, hypertensive, nervine, revulsive, rubefacient, parasiticide, stimulant (immune system, circulation), sudorific, tonic, vermifuge.

EXTRACTION Essential oil by water or steam distillation from the fresh or partially dried leaves and flowering tops. 1. ‘Red thyme oil’ is the crude distillate. 2. ‘White thyme oil’ is produced by further redistillation or rectification. (An absolute is also produced in France by solvent extraction for perfumery use.)

CHARACTERISTICS 1. A red, brown or orange liquid with a warm, spicy-herbaceous, powerful odour. 2. A clear, pale yellow liquid with a sweet, green-fresh, milder scent. It blends well with bergamot, lemon, rosemary, melissa, lavender, lavandin, marjoram, Peru balsam, pine, etc.

PRINCIPAL CONSTITUENTS Thymol and carvacrol (up to 60 per cent), cymene, terpinene, camphene, borneol, linalol; depending on the source it can also contain geraniol, citral and thuyanol, etc.

There are many chemotypes of thyme oil: notably the ‘thymol’ and ‘carvacrol’ types (warming and active); the ‘thuyanol’ type (penetrating and antiviral); and the milder ‘linalol’ or ‘citral’ types (sweet-scented, non-irritant).

SAFETY DATA Red thyme oil, serpolet (from wild thyme), ‘thymol’ and ‘carvacrol’ type oils all contain quite large amounts of toxic phenols (carvacrol and thymol). They can irritate mucous membranes, cause dermal irritation and may cause sensitization in some individuals. Use in moderation, in low dilution only. They are best avoided during pregnancy.

White thyme is not a ‘complete’ oil and is often adulterated. Lemon thyme and ‘linalol’ types are in general less toxic, non-irritant, with less possibility of sensitization – safe for use on the skin and with children.

AROMATHERAPY/HOME USE

SKIN CARE
: Abscess, acne, bruises, burns, cuts, dermatitis, eczema, insect bites, lice, gum infections, oily skin, scabies.

CIRCULATION, MUSCLES AND JOINTS
: Arthritis, cellulitis, gout, muscular aches and pains, obesity, oedema, poor circulation, rheumatism, sprains, sports injuries.

RESPIRATORY SYSTEM
: Asthma, bronchitis, catarrh, coughs, laryngitis, sinusitis, sore throat, tonsillitis.

DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
: Diarrhoea, dyspepsia, flatulence.

GENITO-URINARY SYSTEM
: Cystitis, urethritis.

IMMUNE SYSTEM
: Chills, colds, ’flu, infectious diseases.

NERVOUS SYSTEM
: Headaches, insomnia, nervous debility and stress-related complaints – ‘helps to revive and strengthen both body and mind’.
⁴⁴

OTHER USES The oil is used in mouthwashes, gargles, toothpastes and cough lozenges. ‘Thymol’ is isolated for pharmaceutical use in surgical dressings, disinfectants etc. Used as a fragrance component in soaps, toiletries, aftershaves, perfumes, colognes, etc. Extensively employed by the food and drink industry, especially in meat products.

Dipteryx odorata

FAMILY Leguminosae

SYNONYMS
Coumarouna odorata
, tonquin bean, Dutch tonka bean.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION A very large tropical tree with big elliptical leaves and violet flowers, bearing fruit which contain a single black seed or ‘tonka bean’, about the size of a butter bean. The beans, known as ‘rumara’ by the natives, are collected and dried, then soaked in alcohol or rum for twelve to fifteen hours to make them swell. When they are removed from the bath they become dried and shrunken, covered in a whitish powder of crystallized coumarin.

The ‘curing’ of the beans is partly a conventional ‘sales promotion’ technique rather than an indication of quality, since the frosted appearance has come to be expected of the product.

DISTRIBUTION Native to South America, especially Venezuela, Guyana and Brazil; cultivated in Nigeria and elsewhere in West Africa. Most beans come from South America after ‘curing’, to be processed in Europe and the USA.

OTHER SPECIES There are many species of
Dipteryx
which produce beans suitable for extraction.

HERBAL/FOLK TRADITION In Holland the fatty substance from the beans is sold as ‘tarquin butter’, which used to be used as an insecticide against moth in linen cupboards. ‘The fluid extract has been used with advantage in whooping cough, but it paralyses the heart if used in large doses.’
¹⁰³

ACTIONS Insecticidal, narcotic, tonic (cardiac).

EXTRACTION A concrete and absolute by solvent extraction from the ‘cured’ beans.

CHARACTERISTICS The absolute is a semi-solid yellow or amber mass with a very rich, warm and sweet herbaceous-nutty odour. It blends well with lavender, lavandin, clary sage, styrax, bergamot, oakmoss, helichrysum and citronella.

PRINCIPAL CONSTITUENTS Mainly coumarin (20–40 per cent) in the absolute.

SAFETY DATA Oral and dermal toxin, due to high coumarin content.

AROMATHERAPY/HOME USE None.

OTHER USES Used to a limited extent as a pharmaceutical masking agent. The absolute is employed as a fixative and fragrance component in oriental, new-mown hay and chyprès type perfumes. It is no longer used as a flavouring (due to the coumarin ban in many countries), though it is still used to flavour tobacco.

Polianthes tuberosa

FAMILY Agavaceae

SYNONYMS Tuberosa, tubereuse

GENERAL DESCRIPTION A tender, tall, slim perennial up to 50 cms high, with long slender leaves, a tuberous root and large, very fragrant, white lilylike flowers.

DISTRIBUTION Native of Central America, where it is found growing wild. Cultivated for its oil in southern France, Morocco, China, Taiwan and Egypt.

OTHER SPECIES Related to the narcissus and jonquil. The Chinese species of tuberose is somewhat different from the French and Moroccan type, although both are single-flowered varieties.

HERBAL/FOLK TRADITION The double-flowered variety is grown for ornamental purposes and for use by the cut flower trade. ‘Pure absolute extraction of tuberose is perhaps the most expensive natural flower oil at the disposal of the modern perfumer.’
¹⁰⁴

ACTIONS Narcotic.

EXTRACTION A concrete and absolute by solvent extraction from the fresh flowers, picked before the petals open. (An essential oil is also obtained by distillation of the concrete.)

CHARACTERISTICS The absolute is a dark orange or brown soft paste, with a heavy, sweet-floral, sometimes slightly spicy, tenacious fragrance. It blends well with gardenia, violet, opopanax, rose, jasmine, carnation, orris, Peru balsam, neroli and ylang ylang.

PRINCIPAL CONSTITUENTS Methyl benzoate, methyl anthranilate, benzyl alcohol, butyric acid, eugenol, nerol, farnesol, geraniol, among others.

SAFETY DATA No safety data available – often adulterated.

AROMATHERAPY/HOME USE Perfume.

OTHER USES Used in high class perfumes, especially of an oriental, floral or fantasy type. Occasionally used for flavouring confectionery and some beverages.

Curcuma longa

FAMILY Zingiberaceae

SYNONYMS C.
domestica, Amomoum curcuma
, curcuma, Indian saffron, Indian yellow root, curmuma (oil).

GENERAL DESCRIPTION A perennial tropical herb up to 1 metre high, with a thick rhizome root, deep orange inside, lanceolate root leaves tapering at each end, and dull yellow flowers.

DISTRIBUTION Native to southern Asia; extensively cultivated in India, China, Indonesia, Jamaica and Haiti. The oil is mainly distilled in India, China and Japan. Some roots are imported to Europe and the USA for distillation.

OTHER SPECIES Closely related to the common ginger
(Zingiber officinale).
Not to be confused with the Indian turmeric or American yellow root
(Hydrastis canadensis).

HERBAL/FOLK TRADITION A common household spice, especially for curry powder. It is high in minerals and vitamins, especially vitamin C. It is also used extensively as a local home medicine.

In Chinese herbalism it is used for bruises, sores, ringworm, toothache, chest pains, colic and menstrual problems, usually in combination with remedies. It was once used as a cure for jaundice.

ACTIONS Analgesic, anti-arthritic, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, bactericidal, cholagogue, digestive, diuretic, hypotensive, insecticidal, laxative, rubefacient, stimulant.

EXTRACTION Essential oil by steam distillation from the ‘cured’ rhizome – boiled, cleaned and sun-dried. (An oleoresin, absolute and concrete are also produced by solvent extraction.)

CHARACTERISTICS A yellowy-orange liquid with a faint blue fluorescence and a fresh spicy-woody odour. It blends well with cananga, labdanum, elecampane, ginger, orris, cassie, clary sage and mimosa.

PRINCIPAL CONSTITUENTS Mainly tumerone (60 per cent), with ar-tumerone, atlantones, zingiberene, cineol, borneol, sabinene and phellandrene, among others.

SAFETY DATA The ketone ‘tumerone’ is moderately toxic and irritant in high concentration. Possible sensitization problems. ‘The essential oil of turmeric must be used in moderation and with care for a fairly limited period.’
¹⁰⁵

AROMATHERAPY/HOME USE

CIRCULATION, MUSCLES AND JOINTS
: Arthritis, muscular aches and pains, rheumatism.

DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
: Anorexia, sluggish digestion, liver congestion.

OTHER USES Employed in perfumery work, for oriental and fantasy-type fragrances. The oleoresin is used as a flavour ingredient in some foods, mainly curries, meat products and condiments.

Pinus palustris
and other
Pinus
species

FAMILY Pinaceae

SYNONYMS Terebinth, therebentine, gum thus, gum turpentine, turpentine balsam, spirit of turpentine (oil).

GENERAL DESCRIPTION ‘Gum turpentine’ is a term loosely applied to the natural oleoresin formed as a physiological product in the trunks of various
Pinus, Picea
and
Abies
species. Turpentine refers both to the crude oleoresin (a mixture of oil and resin) and to the distilled and rectified essential oils.

DISTRIBUTION All over the world. The largest producer is the USA, also Mexico, France, Portugal, Spain, Greece, Scandinavia, New Zealand, Tasmania, India, China, the USSR, etc.

OTHER SPECIES Apart from the longleaf pine
(Pinus palustris)
, which is the leading source of American gum turpentine, other sources in the USA include the slash pine
(P. elliottii)
and the Mexican white pine
(P. ayacahuite).
In India the chir pine
(P. roxburghii)
; in Tasmania the lodgepole pine
(P. contorta var. latifolia);
in China the masson or Southern red pine
(P. massoniana);
in Europe and Scandinavia the Scotch pine
(P. sylvestris)
and the sea pine
(P. pinaster)
, as well as many others. See Botanical Classification section.