Thymus vulgaris essential oils from

To investigate the potential of the SEME technique, comparisons have been made with hydrodistillation for extraction of essential oil from spices - ajowan Carum ajowan Apiaceae), cumin (Cuminum cyminum Umbdliferae), star anise Illicium anisatum Illiciaceae) - and from fresh aromatic herbs - basil ( Ocimum basilicum Labiaceae), crispate mint [Mentha crispa Labiaceae), thyme (Thymus vulgaris Labia-ceae) [59, 60]. The yields of essential oil and their chemical composition for the two extraction methods are reported in Table 22.4. 

Thymus vulgaris L. (Thyme) The main component of the essential oil (2.3 %) of partially dried leaves of thyme grown in Kenya was thymol. Thyme oil from other countries is reported to contain thymol (up to 85%) and p-cymene (up to 45%). Thyme is used as a spice due to its apetite stimulating and digestion promotion properties. The oil has strong antimicrobial activity and is also used in the liqueur industiy and as a perfume in soaps, deodorants and hair lotions (34). 

The most recent group of botanical products that have seen some commercial success as insecticides are the plant essential oils. Though some of these have traditional uses dating back decades, if not longer, commercialization has only taken place in the past 7-8 years. Plants producing essential oils that have been exploited for insect control include a number of herbs, most notably from the mint family (Lamiaceae), such as garden thyme Thymus vulgaris L.), rosemary Rosmarinus officinalis), and various species of mint Mentha spp.). ... 

Rational phytotherapy relies on active substances from plants. Classical essential oil-bearing medicinal plants are German chamomile Matricaria recutita), thyme Thymus vulgaris), peppermint Mentha x piperita), caraway Carum carvi), and fennel Foeniculum vulgare) [43, 47]. They are not only used to cure human disease but are of increasing interest in veterinary phytotherapy. 

Monocyclic monoterpenic hydrocarbons are derived predominantly from the optically active hydrocarbon 4-isopropyl-1-methylcyclohexane, known as p-menthane (8-2). An exception isp-cymene also known as cymene (l-isopropyl-4-methylbenzene, 8-3), which is an aromatic hydrocarbon. Cymene is a common component of many essential oils, especially the essential oils of cumin (the seed of the herb Cuminum cyminum of the parsley family Apiaceae) and common thyme Thymus vulgaris, from the mint family Lamiaceae) Hsted in Table 8.32 (see later). 

---