Thyme Essential Oil

Thyme Essential Oil (Thymus vulgaris): Steam Distilled Thymol-Rich Herbal Oil for Soap, Hair Oils, Diffuser, Candles and Perfumery

Thyme Essential Oil is steam distilled from the aerial parts of Thymus vulgaris, thymol type, with a sharp, warm, spicy and herbaceous aroma. It is used in small, well diluted amounts in soaps, hair and scalp oil blends, room sprays, candles, diffuser blends and herbal perfumery. It is a thin, pale yellow to red liquid with a two year shelf life, and COA and MSDS are available on request.

Thyme Essential Oil is the aromatic oil recovered from fresh or partly dried thyme leaves and flowering tops by steam distillation. RV Organica’s Thyme Essential Oil is a thin, pale yellow to red liquid with a characteristic sharp, herbal scent, packed at our facility in Nimbri, Panipat, Haryana, and offered in sizes from 100 ml to 25 kg.

What is thyme essential oil and how is it made?

Thyme is a small, woody, aromatic herb of the mint family, grown for its tiny grey-green leaves and flowering tops. For the oil, fresh or partly dried aerial parts are loaded into a still and steam is passed through them. The steam carries the volatile aroma compounds away, and when it cools, the oil separates from the water and is collected. No solvents are used. A freshly distilled oil is often reddish and is sold as red thyme, while a further redistilled oil is paler and called white thyme, which explains the colour range.

Thyme oils come in several chemotypes, which are chemically different forms of the same species, such as thymol, linalool and geraniol types. Ours is the thymol type, with thymol at 36 to 55 percent and p-cymene at 14 to 28 percent, along with γ-terpinene, carvacrol and linalool. Thymol gives the oil its strong, warm, medicinal-herbal punch and also makes it irritating to skin, which is why dilution is essential. ISO 19817:2017 specifies characteristics of thymol-type thyme oil, and the COA for your batch is the document to read against it.

What does thyme essential oil smell like?

Thyme smells sharp, warm and spicy, with a fresh herbaceous edge and a slightly medicinal, smoky depth, like crushed thyme sprigs in the sun. It is more intense and penetrating than the dried herb in the kitchen and less sweet than sweet marjoram. It brings a crisp, rustic herbal character to a blend.

How do you use thyme essential oil in a diffuser?

Use very little. One small drop in a diffuser, in a well-ventilated room, is usually enough, because the scent is strong and quickly overwhelms a space. It works best blended with gentler oils. Pair it with lavender essential oil for a soft herbal mix, or with rosemary essential oil for a bright, green one. For a stronger herbal accord, add a little oregano essential oil.

How do you use thyme essential oil in hair oils and body oils?

Always dilute thyme oil well before it touches the skin or scalp. It dissolves in alcohol and fixed oils but not in water, so mix it into a carrier oil first. The right ratio depends on how much you are making and where it will be used, and our essential oil dilution calculator works it out for you. Use a lower ratio than you would for a gentle oil, do a patch test first, and keep it away from the eyes, mouth and other mucous membranes. In herbal hair oils, a very small amount adds a clean, herbal scent. Browse our hair oils to see how herbal oils are combined.

Can you use thyme essential oil in soap, candles and perfume?

Yes. In soap and body care bases, add it at a low level within your formulation’s recommended limits. Its colour can lightly tint pale bases. In candles and DIY room sprays, test a small batch first, because strong herbal scents can dominate and scent throw changes with wax type and wick size. In perfumery it works in small amounts as a fresh, herbal accent, and it pairs well with lavender, rosemary, lemon, bergamot, eucalyptus, oregano, marjoram and pine.

What are the specifications of thyme essential oil?

The botanical name is Thymus vulgaris (thymol chemotype), the CAS number is 8007-46-3 and the FEMA number is 3064. The oil has a flash point above 48°C, an acid value of up to 2.0 mg KOH/g and moisture content of up to 0.3 percent. It is a thin liquid, pale yellow to red, with a characteristic sharp, warm, spicy and herbaceous thyme odour. The shelf life is two years, and the oil is soluble in alcohol and fixed oils and insoluble in water. Batch-specific values are given on the COA.

How should you store thyme essential oil?

Keep the bottle tightly closed in a cool, dark place away from heat, flames and direct sunlight. The flash point is low, so store it away from ignition sources. Close the cap straight after each use, because air and light speed up oxidation and dull the aroma over time. Stored well, the oil keeps its quality for the full two year shelf life.

Is thyme essential oil safe to use?

Thyme essential oil is for external use only. Do not ingest it. It is high in thymol, which can irritate the skin, eyes and mucous membranes, so always use it well diluted in a carrier oil, never neat, and do a patch test first. Avoid direct sunlight on treated skin. Keep it away from children and pets, and avoid use during pregnancy. If you are nursing or have any medical condition, consult a doctor before use. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

Can you buy thyme essential oil in bulk?

Yes. The oil is available in 100 ml, 500 ml, 1 kg, 5 kg, 10 kg, 20 kg and 25 kg packs, which suits home users, small makers and manufacturers. COA and MSDS can be requested for each batch. For wholesale or private label enquiries, write to info@rvorganica.com.

About RV Organica

RV Organica is the brand of RV International, an essential oil manufacturer in India based at Nimbri, Panipat, Haryana 132104. Our work is backed by ISO 22000, Halal, Kosher, HACCP and MSME registration. For questions about this oil or bulk supply, contact us at info@rvorganica.com or +91 8937003005