Editing Thyme (section)

== Chemical and antimicrobial properties ==
[[File:Thymol2.svg|thumb|upright=0.5|[[Thymol]] is the principal aromatic component of thyme.]]The chemical composition of ''Thymus'' (thyme) includes a variety of essential oils, flavonoids, phenolic acids, triterpenes, and other compounds. The essential oils found in thyme include [[thymol]], which is a major component responsible for the plant's antiseptic properties, and carvacrol, another primary component with similar functions. Other essential oils present are p-cymene, γ-terpinene, linalool, and 1,8-cineole. [[Gas chromatographic analysis]] reveals that the most abundant [[Volatile organic compound|volatile]] component of thyme leaves is [[thymol]], at 8.55mg/g. Other components are [[carvacrol]], [[linalool]], [[terpineol|α-terpineol]], and 1,8-[[cineole]].<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Lee |first1=Seung-Joo |last2=Umano |first2=Katumi |last3=Shibamoto |first3=Takayuki |last4=Lee |first4=Kwang-Geun |year=2005 |title=Identification of Volatile Components in Basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) and Thyme Leaves (Thymus vulgaris L.) and Their Antioxidant Properties |journal=Food Chemistry |volume=91 |pages=131–137 |doi=10.1016/j.foodchem.2004.05.056}}</ref>

Some of these compounds have beneficial properties. In particular, thymol has been historically used as an [[antibiotic]] and [[antiseptic]], especially in traditional medicine.<ref>{{Cite journal |title=The potential benefits of polyphenols for corneal diseases |date=2023 |doi=10.1016/j.biopha.2023.115862 |last1=Feng |first1=Jing |last2=Zhang |first2=Yangyang |journal=Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy |volume=169 |doi-access=free |pmid=37979379 }}</ref> Oil of thyme, the [[essential oil]] of common thyme, contains 20–54% thymol.<ref name="vulgaris">''Thymus Vulgaris. PDR for Herbal Medicine''. Montvale, NJ:  Medical Economics Company.  p. 1184.</ref> Thymol is an active ingredient in various commercially produced [[mouthwash]]es, such as [[Listerine]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=LISTERINE® Ingredients: What's in Your Mouthwash? |url=https://www.listerine.com/our-sustainability/ingredients |access-date=2024-07-10 |website=LISTERINE® |language=en-US}}</ref>

Flavonoids in thyme include luteolin-7-O-glucoside,<ref name=":0">{{Cite journal |last1=Khokhlova |first1=Kateryna |last2=Vyshnevska |first2=Liliia |last3=Zdoryk |first3=Oleksandr |last4=Filatova |first4=Olga |date=2021-08-31 |title=Application of approach for development of hptlc identification and quantification methods for determination of phenolic compounds and terpenoids of several Thymus L. species |url=https://journals.uran.ua/sr_pharm/article/view/238806 |journal=ScienceRise: Pharmaceutical Science |volume=4 |language=en |issue=32 |pages=29–36 |doi=10.15587/2519-4852.2021.238806 |issn=2519-4852 |doi-access=free |archive-date=2024-08-16 |access-date=2024-08-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240816132416/https://journals.uran.ua/sr_pharm/article/view/238806 |url-status=live }}</ref> a glycoside known for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, as well as apigenin, quercetin, and kaempferol. Phenolic acids such as rosmarinic acid,<ref name=":0" /> which is known for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial activities, along with caffeic acid and chlorogenic acid, are also present in thyme.

Triterpenes, such as oleanolic acid and ursolic acid, are part of thyme's composition, contributing to its overall health benefits. Additionally, thyme contains tannins, which contribute to its astringent properties, as well as saponins and other minor compounds.{{cn|date=March 2025}}