Evidence supporting the use of: Thymus
For the health condition: Congestion (sinus)
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2
Thymus, commonly known as thyme, has a long history of use in traditional herbal medicine for respiratory ailments, including sinus congestion. Herbalists and folk medicine practitioners have used thyme preparations—such as teas, infusions, and essential oils—for their reputed expectorant, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties. The use of thyme for congestion is largely based on its volatile oils, particularly thymol and carvacrol, which are believed to help loosen mucus and ease breathing. While there is some laboratory evidence indicating that thymol has antimicrobial activity and might reduce inflammation, robust clinical trials specifically assessing thyme's efficacy in relieving sinus congestion are lacking. Most available evidence comes from traditional use, anecdotal reports, and a few small studies or combination herbal products (e.g., thyme and ivy leaf for bronchitis), rather than high-quality, condition-specific trials. Thus, while thyme is widely used traditionally for sinus congestion and may have plausible mechanisms of action, scientific validation for its use specifically for sinus congestion is currently limited.
Other ingredients used for Congestion (sinus)
allspicealoe vera
alpha-pinene
basil
benegut perilla (proprietary)
beta-pinene
betel
black currant
black pepper
Indian frankincense
bupleurum falcatum
bасора
capsaicinoids
chamomile
chen pi
clove
Coptis chinensis
turmeric
echinacea purpurea
elderberry
fennel
forsythia
garlic bulb
ginger
onion
green tea
horseradish
licorice root
lovage
mint
mustard seed
spruce
oregano
peppermint oil
perilla
pomegranate
quercetin
rosemary
sage
shiitake mushroom
spearmint leaf
sphaeranthus indicus
thyme
vitamin C
wasabia japonica
boneset
hyssop
cardamom
atractylodes
mugwort
malabar nut
alpinia galangal
ferula assafoetida
inula racemosa
anise
blackboard tree
lemongrass
yerba santa
coltsfoot
chrysanthemum
juniper berries
sweet flag
oriental arborvitae
trichosanthes
zanthoxylum
eucalyptus
menthol oil
horehound
Sichuan pepper
cayenne pepper
sea salt
Agastache
Alpha-terpineol
Allicin
Asarum heterotropoides
Aconite
Asafoetida
Andrographolide
Adrenergic amines
Asteracea
allyl isothiocyanate
Allium tuberosum
Amor seco
Arisaema
Asarum sieboldii
Alantolactone
Atractylone
Black Seed
Baphicacanthus cusia
Bicarbonate
Balsam
Bishop's Weed
Bayleaf
Bitter Grass
Bougainvillea
Bee hive
Bioflavonoids
black salt
Bee products
Buddha's Hand
Borage
Balloon Flower
Belamcanda
Borneol
Camellia sinensis
Clerodendrum trichotomum
Coriander
Citrus
Cineole
Cajuput
Chinese Raisintree
Carvone
Cistus
Calamus
Cinnamaldehyde
Carthamus
Chondrus
Dragonhead
Ephedra
European Elder
English Horsemint
Echinacea
Elder
Ephedrine
Eugenol
Fang-Feng
Frankincense
Galangal
Ivy
Mustard
Sandalwood
Vervain
Other health conditions supported by Thymus
AbscessesAppetite (deficient)
Asthma
Athlete's Foot
Bites and Stings
Boils
Bronchitis
Bruises (healing)
Burns and Scalds
Cancer (natural therapy for)
Cancer (prevention)
Canker Sores
Carbuncles
Colds (antiviral)
Colds (decongestant)
Colds (general)
Colds (prevention)
Colds (with fever)
Congestion
Congestion (bronchial)
Congestion (lungs)
Congestion (lymphatic)
Congestion (sinus)
Conjunctivitis
Dermatitis
Digestion (poor)
Dyspepsia
Ear Infection or Earache
Eczema