Thyme thujanol essential oil: a lesser-known chemotype

On the label of a thyme oil, the word that follows the plant's name changes everything. Thymol, linalool, thujanol: behind these somewhat technical terms lie oils with quite distinct scents and uses. Thyme thujanol is probably the least known of the three, and it deserves a closer look.

What is thyme thujanol?

Like the other thymes in our range, it comes from common thyme, Thymus vulgaris, a small shrub of the Lamiaceae family typical of Mediterranean scrubland. This species has the particularity of producing essences of different composition depending on the soil and climate where it grows: its chemotypes. The thujanol chemotype is less common than thyme thymol, which is easier to find.

A word about the name, which can be confusing: thujanol is not thujone. The first belongs to the alcohols, the second to the ketones, two chemical families that call for different precautions. To find your way around these families, our guide to essential oil families presents the main groups and their characteristics.

According to the product sheet, our thyme thujanol essential oil stands out for its fresh, herbal scent. It is also available as an organic version in a 5 ml bottle.

How to use it

Our druggist keeps this oil for very diluted aromatic use, in the spirit of traditional well-being. In other words, it is enjoyed for its scent, in small amounts.

• In a diffuser: one or two drops are enough, alone or mixed with a more floral oil, in a suitable device. Diffuse for a few minutes, then air the room.
• As a scent accent: one drop on a fragrance stone or a small piece of untreated wood, placed in a hallway or wardrobe, discreetly releases its herbal note.
• For any other use: on the skin, in a blend or a preparation, ask for advice at the drugstore first. We will tell you the right dilution, or suggest an alternative.

A small tip: write the opening date on the bottle. Tightly closed and stored somewhere cool, an essential oil keeps its scent for longer.

Precautions

The basic rules. Never swallow, never apply undiluted. Avoid contact with the eyes and mucous membranes. Ask for advice before use during pregnancy or breastfeeding, for a child or if you are receiving medical treatment. Always check the chemotype: the different thymes are not used in the same way. Keep the bottle out of the reach of children, closed and away from light.

Our products

• Thyme thujanol essential oil – fresh, herbal scent.
• Organic thyme thujanol essential oil, 5 ml – from organic farming.

The documentation tab on each product page gathers the available product information.

Want to know more?

Thyme thujanol will appeal to anyone who likes green, fresh notes and wants to discover another side of thyme. To compare it with the other chemotypes or find out whether it suits your situation, visit us at Droguerie Perusset in Yverdon-les-Bains: we will take the time to talk it through with you.