In the book The Natural Approach to Essential Oils: Revised and Updated, by our very own Clinical Aromatherapist @Jane Lawson Thymus vulgaris is mentioned as being white thyme. This is something I have come across in a few books and websites by various Aromatherapy Authors. Though a complex subject, the use of the name White Thyme is very much misleading and/or incorrect because what is classed as White Thyme differs if we are talking about Botanical naming or the industrial distillation process. If we are talking strictly about botanical naming, White Thyme is NOT Thymus vulgaris as indicated in the book, but is Thymus zygis, a thyme indigenous to Spain and Portugal. It is also called Spanish Thyme. Thymus vulgaris, which is more commonly called Garden Thyme, usually has broader leaves and a more robust, pungent aroma, whereas Thymus zygis features smaller leaves, often with rolled margins, and produces small white flowers. To add to the confusion, both Thymus vulgaris and Thymus zygis have multiple chemotypes – linalool, thymol, carvacrol, geraniol/geranyl acetate, thujanol/thuyanol-4/sabinene hydrate, α-terpineol, terpinene-4-ol, 1,8-cineole, borneol. Thymus vulgaris ct. Linalool, commonly known as Sweet Thyme, has a very sweet, soft, distinctly floral-herbaceous, and woody. It has a smooth lavender-like note. The intensity of its aroma is considered delicate, mellow, and easily masked in skincare blends. Typically contains around 40% – 50% linalool, with secondary key constituents of terpinene-4-ol (between 2% and 10% but typically on the lower end), terpinolene, and trace monoterpenes. It has barely any thymol or carvacrol, and if it's present, usually below 0.5%. Therapeutically, it is more focused on nervous system regulation, anxiety reduction, emotional grounding, and cell regeneration. It is the best/supreme choice for sensitive skin, acne, mature skin, and children's facial application. The flavour of Thymus vulgaris ct, linalool is soft, highly sweet, floral, and smooth. It tastes heavily of green herbs with a strong lavender-like finish. It completely lacks the sharp, hot, or burning sensation of standard thyme. Exceptional in desserts, baking, infusions, and light fruit dishes.

Today, my cousin called me because once again her two young children, my 5-year-old niece and my 3-year-old nephew, caught the cold, and as they are prone to catching bronchitis, she asked me if I could formulate for her a natural blend to help support their respiratory system, give them a pick me up as they are cranky and moody and are not eating due to feeling sick. They are also not getting any rest at night. I decided that using a simple diffuser blend would be the best choice. I made a 10ml Stock bottle containing the following: · 3mls Sweet Orange (Citrus sinensis) · 3mls Balsam Fir (Abies balsamea) · 3mls Cedarwood Virginiana (Juniperus virginiana)* - I ended up using a mix of 1.5ml of Juniperus virginiana, as that was all I had left in stock, and 1.5ml of Cedrus atlantica. It is important to note that some Aromatherapists consider Cedarwood Atlas safe at low doses for children over two, it contains a high concentration of complex sesquiterpenes. Cedarwood Virginian (Juniperus virginiana) is considered the gentler and safer option for toddlers and preschoolers, though personally, I am comfortable with using Atlas in this formulation due to it being not only a diffuser blend rather than topical, but also because of how it's going to be diffused. I told my cousin to diffuse no more than 4 drops during the day and for evening/night, 2 drops in the diffuser for 15 minutes in her lounge room, with the door open for passive ventilation. After 2 hours, if need be, diffuse for another 15 minutes. (15 min on, 2 hours off cycle.) So why did I select these oils? When diffused into a room, Cedarwood Atlas/Virginiana, Balsam Fir, and Sweet Orange essential oils target respiratory symptoms by reducing airway inflammation, thinning mucus, and calming the nervous system. Airborne molecules enter the nasal cavity to trigger the brain's olfactory pathways while traveling down into the respiratory tract to interact directly with local tissues. Sweet Orange:

So, diffuser time to send summer flies packing. I laughed when I saw my bottle of citronella in the back of my kitchen draw. @Jane Lawson popped straight in my head... "its in the poisons book!" 😆 But being a rebel i decided a couple of citronella (famous and common fly repellent), couple of lavender.... let's get rid of the fly situation. How wrong was I! 😆😆😆 No change with flies, and in fact, I had one sit on the top of my diffuser - taunting me 🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️🤣 so not only is citronella a poison, its blooming useless! Out came Buddha Wood, Cedar Wood and Spearmint ... its now definitely helping! 👏😆 Hit me with your fly blends that work! 🪰