Sedative thyme

Thymus vulgaris L. She Xiang Cao (Thyme) (aerial part) Tymol, terpinen-4-ol, pinenes, camphene, myrcene, alpha-phellandrene, limonene, 1,8-cineol, p-cymene, linalool, linalyl acetate, bomyl acetate, alpha-terpinyl acetate, alpha-terpineol, borneol, citral, geraniol, carvacrol.50 510 Anthelmintic, antispasmodic, carminative, diaphoretic, sedative. Treat bronchitis, cancer, diarrhea, gastritis, rheumatism, skin ailments. 

Table VIII shows the dramatic differences between fresh and dried leaves. In this case, as oj sed to peppermint, rosemary and thyme, trans-2-hexenal is more in the fresh than in the dried and aged. The same is true for phenyl ethyl alcohol. Interestingly, trans-cinnamic aldehyde constitutes 50% of the total living headspace volatiles, but it is still less than in the aged leaf and commercial oil. However, cinnaniyl alcohol represents 20% of the fresh volatiles but is only a trace conpcanent of the aged leaf and oil. 4-Methoxy cinnamic aldehyde, identified as a cassia constituent for the first time, also increases 3-fold on drying but has disappeared completely in the comtnercial oil. 2-Methoxy cinnamic aldehyde, sometimes called the character impact component of cassia oil, is present in the headspace of the leaves to only a minor extent but it is the second most abundant component of the oil.

Composed of complex organic compounds (phenols, acids, alcohols, ethers, ketones, and aldehydes), volatile oils evaporate when exposed to air. Volatile oils are found in many plants and may produce the aroma of the plant. Volatile oils exhibit various properties but some common oils are antiseptic or local irritants, or sedative. Oils of peppermint, clove, cinnamon, garlic, and thyme are volatile oils. 

Thyme has been shown to have an antith-yrotropic effect in rats while thymol has been reported to have a sedative effect (GABA... 

Traditional Medicine. Common thyme (both fresh and dried) is reportedly used as an anthelmintic, antispasmodic, bronchospasmo-lytic, carminative, sedative, diaphoretic, and expectorant, usually in the form of an infusion or tincture. Conditions for which it is used include acute bronchitis, laryngitis, whooping cough, chronic gastritis, diarrhea, and lack of appetite. It is also used externally in baths to help rheumatic and skin pro-blems (bruises, sprains, etc.). In Chinese medicine it is used to treat similar conditions (jiangsu). 

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