Safety Profile
Information not yet available for this ingredient profile.
Interactions
Information not yet available for this ingredient profile.
Evidence and Scientific Findings
Ingredient Overview
Thyme essential oil contains thymol and carvacrol with antimicrobial properties. At typical supplement doses in encapsulated form it is generally safe. High doses can cause GI irritation, nausea, and potentially thyroid effects. It may have anticoagulant properties at high doses. Avoid topical undiluted use. Use with caution with blood-thinning medications and thyroid treatments.
Biological and Chemical Classification
- Scientific Name
- Thymus vulgaris
Mechanism of Action
Information not yet available for this ingredient profile.
Clinical Evidence of Effectiveness
Information not yet available for this ingredient profile.
Pharmacokinetics
Information not yet available for this ingredient profile.
Recommended Dosage
Information not yet available for this ingredient profile.
SETI — Scientific Evidence Transparency Index
Executive Summary — Ingredient Assessment
- 10 studies reviewed
- 0 high-quality studies (meta-analysis or RCT)
- Main clinical benefit observed: Botanical
- Evidence consistency: High consistency across studies (100%)
- No significant safety signals identified in the reviewed literature.
The available scientific evidence for Thyme Leaf Essential Oil indicates notable safety signals that warrant caution. Use should be considered carefully and monitored, particularly in sensitive populations or alongside other medications.
Total SETI Score
High risk| Evidence quality | 10/40 |
| Evidence consistency | 20/20 |
| Safety signals | 0/20 |
| Study recency | 10/10 |
| Evidence transparency | 10/10 |
Evidence Summary
- 10 studies reviewed
- 0 high-quality studies (meta-analysis or systematic review)
- 0 studies identified benefits or no safety concern (GREEN)
- 10 studies reported limited or advisory safety evidence (YELLOW)
Evidence Policy
Only peer-reviewed scientific literature indexed in PubMed or comparable databases is included in this evaluation. Commercial websites, blogs, and marketing materials are excluded. All references include direct traceable links to source documents.
Last updated: 26 მარ 2026, 14:13
Evidence Distribution
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWEssential Oils From Lamiaceae and Myrtaceae Families: Chemical, Antifungal, Antioxidant, and Multivariate Analysis for Multifunctional Purposes. ↗Hamdeni I et al.. Essential Oils From Lamiaceae and Myrtaceae Families: Chemical, Antifungal, Antioxidant, and Multivariate Analysis for Multifunctional Purposes.. Chem Biodivers. 2026. PMID:41852145.PMID 41852145 ↗Journal Chem BiodiversYear 2026Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41852145/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWChitosan/Tripolyphosphate Nanoparticles Encapsulating Essential Oils as a New Class of Biopesticides: Structural Properties and Ecotoxicity Evaluation. ↗Machado S et al.. Chitosan/Tripolyphosphate Nanoparticles Encapsulating Essential Oils as a New Class of Biopesticides: Structural Properties and Ecotoxicity Evaluation.. Environ Toxicol. 2026. PMID:41826249.PMID 41826249 ↗Journal Environ ToxicolYear 2026Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41826249/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWEthnopharmocological study of medicinal plants used for treatment of skin diseases by herbalists in Northwestern region of Algeria. ↗Hantour R et al.. Ethnopharmocological study of medicinal plants used for treatment of skin diseases by herbalists in Northwestern region of Algeria.. PLoS One. 2026. PMID:41758749.PMID 41758749 ↗Journal PLoS OneYear 2026Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41758749/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWSusceptibility of Cooking Herbs to Stored-Product Moths. ↗Malabusini S et al.. Susceptibility of Cooking Herbs to Stored-Product Moths.. Insects. 2026. PMID:41752543.PMID 41752543 ↗Journal InsectsYear 2026Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41752543/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWIn Vitro Assessment of Essential Oils as Sustainable Antifungal Agents Against Sclerotinia sclerotiorum Causing Lettuce Drop. ↗Tunu00e7 M et al.. In Vitro Assessment of Essential Oils as Sustainable Antifungal Agents Against Sclerotinia sclerotiorum Causing Lettuce Drop.. Molecules. 2026. PMID:41752459.PMID 41752459 ↗Journal MoleculesYear 2026Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41752459/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWPhytochemicals as inhibitors of pathogenesis to combat ostertagiosis, toxocariasis, trichostrongylosis and trichuriasis in cattle: A systematic review. ↗Hayat H et al.. Phytochemicals as inhibitors of pathogenesis to combat ostertagiosis, toxocariasis, trichostrongylosis and trichuriasis in cattle: A systematic review.. Microb Pathog. 2026. PMID:41747782.PMID 41747782 ↗Journal Microb PathogYear 2026Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41747782/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWAnti-malarial evaluation of some bioactive plant compounds: An integrated computational approach combining QSAR and molecular docking. ↗Otmanine K et al.. Anti-malarial evaluation of some bioactive plant compounds: An integrated computational approach combining QSAR and molecular docking.. Comput Biol Chem. 2026. PMID:41720063.PMID 41720063 ↗Journal Comput Biol ChemYear 2026Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41720063/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWDevelopment and evaluation of a chitosan-coated alginate microsphere system for Thymus vulgaris and Calendula officinalis oil delivery. ↗Gu00fcrkan EH et al.. Development and evaluation of a chitosan-coated alginate microsphere system for Thymus vulgaris and Calendula officinalis oil delivery.. J Biomater Sci Polym Ed. 2026. PMID:41672409.PMID 41672409 ↗Journal J Biomater Sci Polym EdYear 2026Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41672409/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWBox-Behnken optimized copper oxide nanoparticles from Thymus vulgaris potentiate efficacy against multidrug-resistant bacterial pathogens and exhibit anticancer activity. ↗Abu-Hussien SH et al.. Box-Behnken optimized copper oxide nanoparticles from Thymus vulgaris potentiate efficacy against multidrug-resistant bacterial pathogens and exhibit anticancer activity.. Bioresour Bioprocess. 2026. PMID:41667744.PMID 41667744 ↗Journal Bioresour BioprocessYear 2026Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41667744/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWEnhancing docetaxel efficacy in prostate cancer: the synergistic role of thymus vulgaris extract in inducing apoptosis and autophagy. ↗Bitgen N et al.. Enhancing docetaxel efficacy in prostate cancer: the synergistic role of thymus vulgaris extract in inducing apoptosis and autophagy.. Toxicol Res (Camb). 2026. PMID:41623590.PMID 41623590 ↗Journal Toxicol Res (Camb)Year 2026Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41623590/
Score Transparency
0 of 10 approved references (score saturates at 10). More peer-reviewed studies = stronger evidence base.
Method: Q = number of approved references ÷ 10 (capped at 1.0)
Limited — mostly case reports or animal studies
Method: L = mean study-level weight across approved references. Level 1 (meta-analysis / systematic review) = 1.0; Level 2 (RCT) = 0.8; Level 3 (cohort/case-control) = 0.6; Level 4 (case report) = 0.4; Level 5 (animal / in-vitro) = 0.2.
Mixed or neutral — roughly equal benefit and risk signals
Method: D = (sum of risk-scored references − sum of benefit-scored references) ÷ total evidence score, then scaled from [−1, 1] to [0, 1]. 0.0 = pure benefit; 0.5 = neutral; 1.0 = pure risk.
One or more monitoring-level safety signals active
Method: S = 0.5 (neutral baseline) + sum of active signal severity deltas ÷ 10. Severity deltas: Critical = +2.0, High = +1.5, Moderate = +1.0, Low = +0.5. Capped at 1.0.
Final GIRI Score for Thyme Leaf Essential Oil. Risk level thresholds: Low 0–3.0 · Moderate 3.0–5.5 · High 5.5–7.5 · Critical 7.5–10.
Full methodology & data sources
The GIRI Score is computed entirely from structured data — no editorial scoring or subjective weighting is applied at any step.
- References: Only approved references are counted. Each reference is assigned an evidence level (L1–L5) and a direction (risk / neutral / benefit) by the reference manager or AI classifier.
- Safety Signals: Sourced from regulatory agencies (FDA, EMA, Health Canada, TGA, and others) and pharmacovigilance databases. Only active signals count toward the score.
- Formula version: GIRI Score v3.7.0 — Q × L × D × S × 10.
- Limitations: The score reflects published evidence and recorded signals as of the last update date. It is not a clinical risk assessment and should not replace advice from a qualified healthcare professional.
Risk Level Classification
Based on available regulatory signals and scientific evidence, this ingredient presents a low safety concern under normal conditions of use.
0–3.0
3.0–5.5
5.5–7.5
7.5–10
The score pin shows exactly where this ingredient falls on the fixed risk scale.
What drove the Low classification for Thyme Leaf Essential Oil
A score of 2.5 places this ingredient in the Low band. Thresholds: Low 0–3.0 · Moderate 3.0–5.5 · High 5.5–7.5 · Critical 7.5–10.
0 approved references.
Limited — mostly case reports or animal studies (Level 4–5).
Neutral or mixed — benefit and risk signals roughly balanced.
No active signals — S component is at neutral baseline (0.5), contributing no extra risk weight.
No major regulatory restrictions or advisories recorded across monitored jurisdictions (FDA, EMA, Health Canada, TGA, and others).
How are the Low / Moderate / High / Critical thresholds defined?
The four risk levels are fixed score bands. A score is assigned to exactly one level based on where it falls:
| Level | Score | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| LOW | 0.0 – 2.9 | Sparse or predominantly beneficial evidence. No active safety alerts. |
| MODERATE | 3.0 – 5.4 | Mixed signals — some risk alongside benefit. Caution at high doses or in sensitive groups. |
| HIGH | 5.5 – 7.4 | Multiple studies or regulatory alerts documenting adverse effects. Professional oversight recommended. |
| CRITICAL | 7.5 – 10 | Regulatory restrictions in one or more major jurisdictions. Serious documented harm. Avoid without specialist supervision. |
Thresholds are fixed constants (GIRI_Score_Utils::LEVEL_THRESHOLDS). They do not change per ingredient and are never subject to editorial adjustment.