Organic Red Thyme Oil – The Spicy Warmth of the Mediterranean
Benefits at a glance
- Warm, spicy, bold: the scent of a thyme bush in the midday sun – herbal, sharp, with an almost smoky note.
- 2–3 drops are enough: the thymol chemotype is among the most intense oils in aromatherapy. A 10 ml bottle lasts for months.
- For diffuser and room spray: gives the air character, especially in autumn and winter, together with lemon and eucalyptus.
- The thyme of Mediterranean kitchens: the same plant as in the herb bunch – here steam-distilled, organic, 100% pure.
- To be used with respect: always diluted, never neat on the skin. Below we explain exactly how.
Application & special features
In the diffuser: 2–3 drops for a medium room, no more – red thyme fills a room quickly. Lovely on its own, even better with 3 drops of lemon or sweet orange to soften the spicy edge.
Home-made room spray: put a teaspoon of food-grade alcohol, 8 drops of red thyme and 8 drops of lemon into a 100 ml spray bottle, then top up with water. Shake before each use. A Mediterranean kitchen in five minutes.
In the mop bucket: 5 drops in the floor water leave the house smelling of fresh herbs instead of detergent. This is a scent use, not a substitute for cleaning.
On the skin: only well diluted – at most 1 drop in 10 ml carrier oil (0.5%) – and never on sensitive or irritated skin. For daily massage, gentler oils such as lavender are better; red thyme is a room oil.
Not in the sauna: in steam, the phenols of red thyme sting the nose and eyes. For the steam room choose fir or mountain pine.
Perfect blending partners
Lemon (lightens) · Eucalyptus (fresh and clean) · Rosemary (herbal, Mediterranean) · True lavender (rounds off). Rule of thumb: 1 part red thyme to 3 parts other oils.
Product information
- Botanical name: Thymus vulgaris, thymol chemotype (red thyme)
- INCI: Thymus vulgaris flower/leaf oil · CAS 84929-51-1 · EINECS 284-535-7
- Plant part: flowering tops and leaves
- Method: steam distillation
- Origin: Mediterranean region
- Quality: from organic farming, 100% pure, no additives
- Scent note: heart note, very long-lasting
- Sizes: 10 ml and 30 ml in amber glass with dropper
The scent profile
It opens warm and spicy, almost smoky, like the air of a kitchen where a herb sauce is simmering. Underneath lies a dry, herbal, slightly earthy base. In the diffuser it lasts for hours: an oil to dose sparingly and balance with citrus. If you are looking for a softer, more floral thyme, you will find it in thyme linalool – the red one is the bold one.
The chemistry of the oil
Red thyme owes its character to phenols: thymol is the main component, accompanied by p-cymene and γ-terpinene and small amounts of carvacrol and linalool. Phenols are powerful molecules and at the same time irritating to skin and mucous membranes – which is why this oil is used in a few drops, always diluted, and not with small children. It is also why it smells so intense: you need very little. The chemotype depends on the climate and altitude where the plant grows; ours is the classic Mediterranean red thyme.
The plant
Thymus vulgaris is a small evergreen shrub of the Mediterranean scrubland, a few hands high, with grey-green leaves and pink-lilac flowers that bees love. It grows on poor, sunny soils, where it concentrates its oils as protection against the heat. The name comes from the Greek thymos, courage: the Greeks burned it in temples, the Romans added it to the bath, southern grandmothers hang it in bunches in the pantry. In the kitchen it is irreplaceable with potatoes, fish and grilled meat.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between red thyme and thyme linalool?
The same plant with different chemistry. Red thyme (thymol chemotype) is powerful, spicy and must be well diluted; thyme linalool is sweet, soft and gentler on the skin. For diffuser and room spray the red one is perfect; for massage, linalool is better.
How many drops in the diffuser?
2–3 for a medium room, 4–5 for a large living room. If the air is too intense after half an hour, use one drop less next time. With citrus or conifer oils you can go a little higher.
Can I put it on my skin?
Only diluted to 0.5% (1 drop in 10 ml carrier oil) and after a patch test. Never neat, never near the eyes, never on irritated skin. For daily skin care there are more suitable oils.
Is it good in the sauna or steam room?
No: in hot steam the phenols irritate the nose and eyes. For the sauna use fir, mountain pine or eucalyptus.
Is it suitable for children and during pregnancy?
Not for children under 6, not even in the diffuser in their room. During pregnancy, breastfeeding or with epilepsy ask your doctor first.
How long does a bottle last and how do I store it?
At 2–3 drops a day, 10 ml (about 250 drops) lasts 3–4 months. Well sealed, dark and cool, the oil keeps its scent for a long time: go by the date on the label, and once opened it is best used within a year. If it smells flat or sour, it is time for a new one.
Choose your size
10 ml bottle
To get started: 2–3 drops in the diffuser are enough, so 10 ml lasts a long time.
€ —
30 ml bottle
For regular use in room sprays or blends: better value per millilitre.
€ —
Goes well with
Safety, warnings and CLP labelling
External and aromatic use. Red thyme (thymol chemotype) is one of the most powerful essential oils: always use well diluted (max. 0.5% on skin), never neat. Avoid contact with eyes and mucous membranes. Keep out of reach of children; not suitable for children under 6. During pregnancy, breastfeeding or with epilepsy consult a doctor before use. May cause skin sensitisation: always test on a small patch of skin first.
Classification according to Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 (CLP)
DANGER
Hazard statements
- H226 Flammable liquid and vapour.
- H302 Harmful if swallowed.
- H304 May be fatal if swallowed and enters airways.
- H314 Causes severe skin burns and eye damage.
- H317 May cause an allergic skin reaction.
- H411 Toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects.
Precautionary statements
- P101 If medical advice is needed, have product container or label at hand.
- P102 Keep out of reach of children.
- P210 Keep away from heat, hot surfaces, sparks, open flames and other ignition sources. No smoking.
- P273 Avoid release to the environment.
- P280 Wear protective gloves and eye/face protection.
- P301+P310 IF SWALLOWED: Immediately call a POISON CENTER or doctor.
- P301+P330+P331 IF SWALLOWED: Rinse mouth. Do NOT induce vomiting.
- P302+P352 IF ON SKIN: Wash with plenty of water and soap.
- P305+P351+P338 IF IN EYES: Rinse cautiously with water for several minutes. Remove contact lenses, if present and easy to do. Continue rinsing.
- P405 Store locked up.
- P501 Dispose of contents and container in accordance with local regulations.
Contains: linalool, limonene. · EC No.: 284-535-7 · CAS: 84929-51-1 · Source: product safety data sheet.
A South Tyrolean family business since 1989. We use the oils we sell ourselves – red thyme, sparingly, in the kitchen diffuser.