| |  | | Effect of Thyme on the Thyroid Gland
Answered by: Susan Eagles
Question from: Ray
Posted on: October 02, 2007
I have been using thyme oil (T.zygis/vulgaris) for many years now, not only as a disinfectant, but in a plant mister (10-15 drops to 8oz water) which I inhale when confronted with what I deem as chest pains or pleurisy, and what my physician would call musculo-skeletal problems! This is a sharp, very painful situation in my left (or right) side at the bottom of my rib cage, which feels like I have been stabbed in my side!! I have been to the emergency room several times, and they run a barrage of tests, and tell me they can’t find anything wrong, so whenever I feel this pain about to start up again, I reach for my spray mister, and inhale the droplets, and in a matter of minutes or a few hours, the symptoms disappear for several months!
My question is: Does the overuse of thyme stimulate the thyroid gland and lymphatic system? If so,then what constitutes "overuse" and is there any research to back up this statement? This statement is a direct quote from my "bible" The Complete Book of Essential Oils and Aromatherapy, by Valerie Ann Worwood, where she states that thyme "should be used with great care, like many good things"!
I am asking this question because following a recent blood test my physician tells me I have an over active thyroid gland, and having recalled this statement of hers (not knowing a thing about herbal medicine) she insists on another barrage of tests to determine the cause of the problem! If you could possibly shed some light on this issue, and/or direct me to any or all relevant research/documentation on the subject of thyme and the thyroid gland, I would be most appreciative!
Alan Tillotson, in his book "The One Earth Herbal Sourcebook", states that thyme inhibits thyroid function. This would mean that it would cause an underactive thyroid. He states no evidence for this, and no amount information is given. Herbal information is usually gathered from hundreds of years of studying the effect of a herb’s clinical use. Information on the internet, on a Google search for thyme thyroid, concurs with Tillotson’s statement, and state that there have been no human studies to prove the statement.
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