Scent Almanac
Thyme
Thymus vulgaris (thymol type 'red' or gentler linalool type)
Warm, powerful and herbal-medicinal. Thymol-type smells phenolic, like mouthwash or cough syrup, and linalool-type is softer, sweeter and more herbal.
- Made from
- Steam-distilled from the flowering herb. The chemotype (thymol or linalool) changes both scent and safety.
- Strength
- ●●●●● a little goes a long way
- Cost
- Moderate
- Moods
- FocusingEnergizingClean
- Seasons
- Autumn, Winter
- Rooms
- Kitchen, Laundry
Cautions
- Can irritate skin or mucous membranes
- Caution around pets (especially cats and birds) — don't diffuse in their space
Thymol-type (red) thyme strongly irritates skin and mucous membranes, so keep it very low or choose linalool thyme. Phenol-rich oils are especially hazardous to cats.
How it behaves
CandlesWorkable
Wax meltsWorkable
Reed diffuserWorkable
Room & linen sprayWorkable
Electric (water) diffuserGood
Cold-process soapWorkable
Use thymol-type only as a small accent because it irritates skin. Linalool thyme is the soap-friendly choice.
Melt-and-pour soapWorkable
Laundry & cleaningGood
Its phenolic edge reads as 'clean' in cleaning sprays. Blend with lemon so it doesn't smell like mouthwash.
Pairs well with
Rosemary
Middle · Herbal
Essential oil
Lemon
Top · Citrus
Essential oil
Lavender
Middle · Floral
Essential oil
Bergamot
Top · Citrus
Essential oil
Black Pepper
Top · Spicy
Essential oil
Pine
Middle · Woody
Essential oil
Atlas Cedarwood
Base · Woody
Essential oil
Basil
Top · Herbal
Essential oil
Sweet Marjoram
Middle · Herbal
Essential oil
Don't have it? Try Sweet Marjoram, Rosemary.
A little lore
Thymol, the main aroma compound in red thyme, is still an active ingredient in some commercial mouthwashes.