Evidence supporting the use of: Thymus
For the health condition: Conjunctivitis

Links: Go back one page, Tool main page, Ingredients list, Health conditions list, Body systems list

Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 1

Thymus (thyme) has a long history of use in traditional herbal medicine, including in the treatment of various eye infections such as conjunctivitis. Traditional herbalists valued thyme for its antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and soothing properties, often preparing it as infusions or compresses for topical use on the eyes. The use of thyme in this context is usually based on its essential oil content, particularly thymol, which has demonstrated antimicrobial activity in vitro against a range of bacteria and fungi; however, these findings are not specific to conjunctivitis pathogens or to ophthalmic use.

Despite its traditional use, there is extremely limited modern scientific research directly evaluating thymus preparations for conjunctivitis in humans. Most contemporary references to thyme for eye conditions cite historical or ethnobotanical sources rather than clinical trials or robust laboratory studies. Additionally, safety and efficacy for ocular application have not been established, and essential oils can be irritating to mucous membranes, including the eyes. Therefore, while there is a basis for its use in folk medicine, current scientific evidence does not support or validate its use for conjunctivitis.

More about Thymus
More about Conjunctivitis

Products containing Thymus

We currently have no products on Vitabase that contain this ingredient.