ABSTRACT
Thymus vulgaris (Th. vulgaris) is a well-known rich essential oil derived from western Mediterranean culinary aromatic herbs belonging to the Lamiaceae family, like parsley, mint, laurel, oregano, coriander, basil, sage, and fennel. Th. vulgaris essential oil (TEO) is composed of monoterpenes. Thymol and its phenol isomer carvacrol are its natural terpenoids along with p-cymene, γ-terpinene, and caryophyllene. Meanwhile, thymol is the predominate content in TEO. TEO has been reported for its antioxidant, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antibacterial, antibiofilm, and antiseptic agents, and chronic wound healing in previous studies. TEO has been also reported as a rich source of flavone glycoside, therefore exhibiting potent antioxidant and antimicrobial activity. In this chapter, the authors will explore the advanced pharmacological parameters associated with TEO and its pharmaceutical preparation. New therapeutic applications of TEO and thymol can be accelerated through the novel drug delivery system; open entrances for their widespread use in the healthcare sector are quite promising.
