Thymus mastichina (Thymus mastichina): Benefits, Dosage, Safety & Evidence

Questions fréquentes

How does Thymus mastichina work as an expectorant?

Thymus mastichina exerts its expectorant action primarily through its high 1,8-cineole content. This compound helps thin bronchial mucus secretions and stimulates ciliary activity in the respiratory tract, facilitating easier expectoration. The essential oil also demonstrates antimicrobial activity against respiratory pathogens, which may support its traditional use for respiratory infections. Evidence level: C, based on traditional use and pharmacological studies on isolated compounds.

Is Thymus mastichina safe to take during pregnancy?

Thymus mastichina is considered unsafe during pregnancy and should be avoided. The essential oil contains significant amounts of camphor and 1,8-cineole, compounds associated with uterine stimulation and potential fetal toxicity at therapeutic doses. Traditional contraindications explicitly warn against use in pregnancy. Pregnant women seeking respiratory or digestive support should consult a qualified healthcare provider for safer alternatives.

What is the recommended dosage for Thymus mastichina tea?

The traditional adult dosage for Thymus mastichina tea is 1-2 teaspoons of dried herb per cup of boiling water, taken up to three times daily. Steep for 5-10 minutes before straining. This preparation is used for respiratory congestion and digestive complaints. Standardized commercial preparations are not widely available, so dosing relies on traditional preparation methods. Evidence level: C, based on ethnobotanical tradition.

Does Thymus mastichina interact with any medications?

No well-documented drug interactions exist for Thymus mastichina in current scientific literature. However, theoretical concerns arise from its camphor and 1,8-cineole content, which may interact with anticoagulants, anticonvulsants, and medications metabolized by cytochrome P450 enzymes. The herb may also potentiate the effects of CNS depressants. Patients taking prescription medications should consult a healthcare provider before use.

What are the side effects of Thymus mastichina?

Thymus mastichina may cause mild gastrointestinal effects including nausea, stomach upset, or heartburn in some individuals, particularly when taken on an empty stomach or at higher doses. The camphor content may cause nervous system stimulation in sensitive individuals. Discontinue use if adverse reactions occur. Long-term safety data is limited, so extended use should be supervised by a qualified healthcare practitioner.

What is Thymus mastichina used for traditionally?

Thymus mastichina has been used in Spanish and Portuguese folk medicine for respiratory conditions including coughs, bronchitis, and nasal congestion due to its expectorant properties. It is also traditionally employed for headaches and digestive complaints. Unlike most thyme species, this plant produces a cineole-rich essential oil that contributes to its antimicrobial and respiratory benefits. Evidence level: C, based on ethnobotanical records.

Fiche d'information compilée à partir de PubMed

Cette fiche a été compilée à partir de résumés PubMed (NIH) avec l'assistance d'une IA. Chaque affirmation factuelle est citée par un article PubMed réel (voir la liste des sources). Elle n'a pas encore été révisée par un humain — confirmez auprès d'un professionnel de santé avant utilisation.

Compilé à partir de 30 articles PubMed · modèle : gemma4:31b

Résumé

Thymus mastichina, also known as mastic thyme or Spanish marjoram, is a semishrub endemic to the Iberian Peninsula with demonstrated antimicrobial and antioxidant properties [PMID:33352776, PMID:31906063].

Contexte

Thymus mastichina is a semishrub found in the jungles and rocky lands of the Iberian Peninsula [PMID:33352776]. It is an autochthonous species of Portugal and Spain [PMID:36243295, PMID:29304179].

Usages traditionnels

In folk medicine, it is widely used for treating respiratory and digestive system disorders [PMID:31906063]. It is traditionally applied to the skin for its antiseptic, wound healing, and anti-inflammatory properties, and used in the treatment of acne vulgaris [PMID:36243295]. Additionally, it is used as a condiment for olives and to aromatize bonfires on Saint John's Eve [PMID:31906063, PMID:36839664].

Composés actifs

The essential oil primarily contains 1,8-cineole (eucalyptol) and linalool [PMID:33352776, PMID:29304179]. Extracts are characterized by flavonoids, phenolic acids, terpenes, and high amounts of salvianolic acid derivatives, specifically salvianolic acid A isomer [PMID:33352776, PMID:31906063]. Other identified compounds include rosmarinic acid, ursolic acid, oleanolic acid, and various glucopyranosides [PMID:23285814].

Mécanisme d'action

The herb demonstrates antioxidant activity through the scavenging of ABTS, hydroxyl, and nitric oxide radicals [PMID:31906063] and the inhibition of lipid peroxidation [PMID:36688786]. Essential oils have shown the ability to inhibit lipoxygenase and acetylcholinesterase activities [PMID:29304179].

Preuves cliniques

Preuve DBacterial Infections

Essential oils and extracts show antibacterial activity against E. coli, Proteus mirabilis, Salmonella spp., S. aureus (MRSA and MSSA), Listeria monocytogenes, and Bacillus cereus [PMID:33352776].

Preuve DFungal Infections

Demonstrated antifungal activity against Candida spp. (including C. auris) and Fusarium spp. [PMID:33352776, PMID:35884231].

Preuve DCancer (In Vitro)

Extracts and essential oils showed antiproliferative/cytotoxic effects against HCT colon cancer cells, human breast tumor cell lines (MDA-MB-468), and glioblastoma cells [PMID:23285814, PMID:31377137, PMID:36501253, PMID:36839664].

Preuve DSARS-CoV-2 (In Vitro)

Formulations combining CBD and terpenes from T. mastichina demonstrated virucide effectiveness in reducing infectivity in various human cell lines [PMID:35242142].

Sécurité et effets indésirables

Toxicological assessment of essential oils suggests activity against A. salina (31.8 50 50 >= 1500 mg/kg) [PMID:31377137].

Synthèse des preuves

The current evidence is based entirely on in vitro studies, chemical characterizations, and traditional use reports (Level D). There are no clinical trials or systematic reviews available for this herb.

Sources PubMed

1.PMID: 33352776 (2020) — Thymus mastichina: Composition and Biological Properties with a Focus on Antimicrobial Activity. · Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland)
2.PMID: 31906063 (2019) — Chemical Characterization and Bioactivity of Extracts from Thymus mastichina: A Thymus with a Distinct Salvianolic Acid Composition. · Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland)
3.PMID: 36839664 (2023) — Essential Oils from Côa Valley Lamiaceae Species: Cytotoxicity and Antiproliferative Effect on Glioblastoma Cells. · Pharmaceutics
4.PMID: 34451806 (2021) — Solvent-Free Microwave Extraction of Thymus mastichina Essential Oil: Influence on Their Chemical Composition and on the Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Activities. · Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland)
5.PMID: 36688786 (2023) — Chemical composition, antioxidant, and antimicrobial activities of six commercial essential oils.

Thymus mastichina

Sources et citations

Calculer une dose sûre de Thymus mastichina

Costmary

Calamintha nepeta

Marjoram Egyptian

Questions fréquentes

Résumé

Contexte

Usages traditionnels

Composés actifs

Mécanisme d'action

Preuves cliniques

Sécurité et effets indésirables

Synthèse des preuves

Sources PubMed

Sources gouvernementales

Thymus mastichina

Sources et citations

Calculer une dose sûre de Thymus mastichina

Plantes associées

Costmary

Calamintha nepeta

Marjoram Egyptian

Questions fréquentes

Résumé

Contexte

Usages traditionnels

Composés actifs

Mécanisme d'action

Preuves cliniques

Sécurité et effets indésirables

Synthèse des preuves

Sources PubMed

Sources gouvernementales