Carvacrol

Carvacrol is a phenol, as in oregano, sage, cumin, savory, marjoram, and thyme.

Phenols are potent chemicals with strong therapeutic actions, but safety concerns: overuse can be toxic to the liver or genotoxic.  Phenols can also be a skin and mucous membrane irritant.

Links to Plants Containing Carvacrol

Black Pepper

Oregano

Sage

Thyme

RESEARCH

The listings of research below represent a compilation of scientific articles found on the topic, with a very brief overview description of each article/study.  This compilation of research articles does not necessarily imply that there are adequate results to demonstrate safe and/or effective human use of any herb listed.

GENERAL

• Possible skin irritant, and toxicity in excess.  Avoid with certain medications, medical conditions, and before surgery.  From: Tisserand, R. & Young, R. (2014).  Essential Oil Safety, 2^nd  Churchill Livingstone, Elsevier.
• The carvacrol constituent has multiple health benefits for use in farm animals:  antimicrobial, antioxidant, antifungal, immunomodulatory, anticancer, and anti-inflammatory.   From:  Alagawany, M., El-Hack, M. A., Farag, M. R., Tiwari, R., & Dhama, K. (2015). Biological effects and modes of action of carvacrol in animal and poultry production and health: A review. Adv. Anim. Vet. Sci, 3(2s), 73-84.
• This is a summary of research on therapeutic actions of carvacrol, including: antimicrobial, antitumor, antimutagenic, antigenotoxic, analgesic, antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory, angiogenic, antiparasitic, antiplatelet, AChe inhibitory, anti-elastase, insecticidal, antihepatotoxic and hepatoprotective activities and uses such as feed additive, in honeybee breeding and in gastrointestinal ailments. From:  Can Baser, K. H. (2008). Biological and pharmacological activities of carvacrol and carvacrol bearing essential oils. Current pharmaceutical design, 14(29), 3106-3119.

ANTIMICROBIAL / ANTIBACTERIAL / ANTIFUNGAL / ANTIVIRAL

• This article summarized antimicrobial research on essential oils with strong research on topical and antiseptic uses, as penetration enhancers, and in fighting medicine resistant species.  From:  Solórzano-Santos, F., & Miranda-Novales, M. G. (2012). Essential oils from aromatic herbs as antimicrobial agents. Current opinion in biotechnology, 23(2), 136-141.
• The constituents of eugenol, carvacrol, thymol, p-cymene and γ-terpinene were effective against oral bacteria.  From:  Miladi, H., Zmantar, T., Kouidhi, B., Al Qurashi, Y. M. A., Bakhrouf, A., Chaabouni, Y., … & Chaieb, K. (2017). Synergistic effect of eugenol, carvacrol, thymol, p-cymene and γ-terpinene on inhibition of drug resistance and biofilm formation of oral bacteria. Microbial pathogenesis, 112, 156-163.
• Thymus fontanessi (thyme), Origanum glandulosum (oregano), Mentha pulegium (pennyroyal),  and Lavandula stoechas (lavender) were antibacterial against Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA and MSSA). Carvacrol, thymol, pulegone, fenchone, and camphor were the strongest constituents.  From:  Bekka-Hadji, F., Bombarda, I., & Touati, A. (2016). Antibacterial activity against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus of five essential oils from Algerian medicinal plants (Lamiaceae). Journal of Essential Oil Research, 1-10.
• O. acutidens oil, carvacrol and thymol completely inhibited mycelial growth of multiple fungi.  The oil, carvacrol and thymol showed a potent phytotoxic effect against the plants tested.  Oregano also showed insecticidal activity against multiple pests tested.  From:  Kordali, S., Cakir, A., Ozer, H., Cakmakci, R., Kesdek, M., & Mete, E. (2008). Antifungal, phytotoxic and insecticidal properties of essential oil isolated from Turkish Origanum acutidens and its three components, carvacrol, thymol and p-cymene. Bioresource Technology, 99(18), 8788-8795.
• Carvacrol and eugenol had an anticandidal effect. From:  Chami, N., Bennis, S., Chami, F., Aboussekhra, A., & Remmal, A. (2005). Study of anticandidal activity of carvacrol and eugenol in vitro and in vivo. Oral microbiology and immunology, 20(2), 106-111.
• Thymol and carvacrol of Thymus glandulosus and Origanum compactum exhibited the strongest antifungal activity.  From:  Bouchra, C., Achouri, M., Hassani, L. I., & Hmamouchi, M. (2003). Chemical composition and antifungal activity of essential oils of seven Moroccan Labiatae against Botrytis cinerea Pers: Fr. Journal of ethnopharmacology, 89(1), 165-169.
• Satureja hortensis and Origanum vulgare, and their carvacrol constituent were antibacterial against Helicobacter pylori in vitro.  From:  Lesjak, M., Simin, N., Orcic, D., Franciskovic, M., Knezevic, P., Beara, I., … & Mimica‐Dukic, N. (2016). Binary and tertiary mixtures of Satureja hortensis and Origanum vulgare essential oils as potent antimicrobial agents against Helicobacter pylori. Phytotherapy research, 30(3), 476-484.
• Oregano, and constituents thymol and carvacrol were antifungal invitro.  From:  Akgül, A., & Kivanc, M. (1988). Inhibitory effects of selected Turkish spices and oregano components on some foodborne fungi. International Journal of Food Microbiology, 6(3), 263-268.
• Palmarosa and cinnamon oils along with their phenolic compounds of thymol and carvacrol were the most fungitoxic against Cryptococcus neoformans common in late stage AIDS patients. Terpenoids, citral, geraniol, and citronellol also showed strong activity.  From:  Viollon, C., & Chaumont, J. P. (1994). Antifungal properties of essential oils and their main components uponCryptococcus neoformans. Mycopathologia, 128(3), 151-153.
• Thyme possessed microbicidal activities, especially against Gram positive bacteria, likely related to the carvacrol constituent.  This may be usable with products as an antiseptic and preservative.  From:  Juliano, C., Mattana, A., & Usai, M. (2000). Composition and in vitro antimicrobial activity of the essential oil of Thymus herba-barona Loisel growing wild in Sardinia. Journal of Essential Oil Research, 12(4), 516-522.
• Constituents were studied for inhibiting postharvest fungi, including  anethole, p-anisaldehyde, carvacrol, carvone, 1,8-cineole,  limonene, myrcene, α-phellandrene and α-pinene. Carvacrol showed the strongest results.  From:  Caccioni, D. R., & Guizzardi, M. (1994). Inhibition of germination and growth of fruit and vegetable postharvest pathogenic fungi by essential oil components. Journal of Essential Oil Research, 6(2), 173-179.
• Oregano’s antifungal activity against Penicillium expansum, Aspergillus flavus, Botrytis cinerea, and Colletotrichum gloeosporioides were assessed, with thymol, carvacrol, and p-cymene making it a good antifungal agent.  From:  Cid-Pérez, T. S., Torres-Muñoz, J. V., Nevárez-Moorillón, G. V., Palou, E., & López-Malo, A. (2016). Chemical characterization and antifungal activity of Poliomintha longiflora Mexican oregano. Journal of Essential Oil Research, 28(2), 157-165.
• Thyme essential oil and the thymol and carvacrol constituents showed inhibition of Shigella sp.  From:  Bagamboula, C. F., Uyttendaele, M., & Debevere, J. (2004). Inhibitory effect of thyme and basil essential oils, carvacrol, thymol, estragol, linalool and p-cymene towards Shigella sonnei and S. flexneri. Food microbiology, 21(1), 33-42.
• Oils high in carvacrol content:  Oreganum onites and Satureja  thymbrra, were the most antifungal against a variety of species.  From:  Soković, M., Tzakou, O., Pitarokili, D., & Couladis, M. (2002). Antifungal activities of selected aromatic plants growing wild in Greece. Food/Nahrung, 46(5), 317-320.
• Oregano and its thymol and carvacrol constituents were effective against methicillin-resistant staphylococci (MSS, MRS).  From:  Nostro, A., Blanco, A. R., Cannatelli, M. A., Enea, V., Flamini, G., Morelli, I., … & Alonzo, V. (2004). Susceptibility of methicillin-resistant staphylococci to oregano essential oil, carvacrol and thymol. FEMS Microbiology Letters, 230(2), 191-195.
• Salmonella was less an issue when a blend of carvacrol, thymol, eucalyptol, and lemon when added to drinking water of poultry farm animals.  From:  Alali, W. Q., Hofacre, C. L., Mathis, G. F., & Faltys, G. (2013). Effect of essential oil compound on shedding and colonization of Salmonella enterica serovar Heidelberg in broilers. Poultry science, 92(3), 836-841.
• Lippia graveolens (Mexican oregano) oil and its main component: carvacrol, inhibited different human and animal viruses in vitro.  From:  Pilau, M. R., Alves, S. H., Weiblen, R., Arenhart, S., Cueto, A. P., & Lovato, L. T. (2011). Antiviral activity of the Lippia graveolens (Mexican oregano) essential oil and its main compound carvacrol against human and animal viruses. Brazilian Journal of Microbiology, 42(4), 1616-1624.
• Origanum minutiflorum (oregano), Laurus nobilis (bay), Lavandula stoechas (lavender) and Foeniculum vulgare (fennel) were effective against  the following foodborne pathogens: Escherichia coli, Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella typhimurium, and Staphylococcus aureus. Constituents included carvacrol, 1,8-cineole, fenchone, and trans-anethole.  From:  Dadalioglu, I., & Evrendilek, G. A. (2004). Chemical compositions and antibacterial effects of essential oils of Turkish oregano (Origanum minutiflorum), bay laurel (Laurus nobilis), Spanish lavender (Lavandula stoechas L.), and fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) on common foodborne pathogens. Journal of agricultural and food chemistry, 52(26), 8255-8260.
• Origanum vulgare (oregano), Thymus vulgaris (thyme), Lavandula angustifolia (lavender), Mentha piperita (peppermint), and Melaleuca alternifolia (tea tree) were tested against 32 erythromycin-resistant streptococci; oregano, thyme, and the carvacrol constituent showed the strongest antimicrobial activity.  From:  Magi, G., Marini, E., & Facinelli, B. (2015). Antimicrobial activity of essential oils and carvacrol, and synergy of carvacrol and erythromycin, against clinical, erythromycin-resistant Group A Streptococci. Frontiers in microbiology, 6, 165.
• Citrus aurantium (bergamot), C. limon (lemon), Lavandula angustifolia (lavender), Matricaria chamomilla (chamomile), Mentha piperita (peppermint), M. spicata (spearmint), Ocimum basilicum (basil), Origanum vulgare (oregano), Thymus vulgaris (thyme), and Salvia officinalis (sage) along with their constituents were tested against human pathogenic bacteria.  The highest and broadest activity was shown by O. vulgare oil and carvacrol had the highest antibacterial activity among the tested constituents.  Other significant constituents included: camphor, 1,8-cineole, linalool, linalyl acetate, limonene, menthol, a-pinene, b-pinene, and thymol.  From:  Soković, M., Glamočlija, J., Marin, P. D., Brkić, D., & van Griensven, L. J. (2010). Antibacterial effects of the essential oils of commonly consumed medicinal herbs using an in vitro model. Molecules, 15(11), 7532-7546.
• This mega analysis reviewed studies of essential oils as antibacterials in food.  Several effective constituents included carvacrol, thymol, eugenol, perillaldehyde, cinnamaldehyde and cinnamic acid.  They have minimum inhibitory concentrations with some having synergism such as carvacrol and p-cymene, cinnamaldehyde and eugenol, and between EO components and mild preservation methods.  From:  Burt, S. (2004). Essential oils: their antibacterial properties and potential applications in foods—a review. International journal of food microbiology, 94(3), 223-253.
• Carvacrol prevents the development of flagella in E. coli.  From:  Burt, S. A., van der Zee, R., Koets, A. P., de Graaff, A. M., van Knapen, F., Gaastra, W., … & Veldhuizen, E. J. (2007). Carvacrol induces heat shock protein 60 and inhibits synthesis of flagellin in Escherichia coli O157: H7. Applied and environmental microbiology, 73(14), 4484-4490.
• Antibacterial abilities of 96 essential oils and their constituents were assessed. Marigold, ginger, jasmine, patchouli, gardenia, cedarwood, carrot seed, celery seed, mugwort, spikenard, and orange bitter oils along with the constituents of cinnamaldehyde, estragole, carvacrol, benzaldehyde, citral, thymol, eugenol, perillaldehyde, carvone R, and geranyl acetate were strongest against C. jejuni.  Those most active against E. coli were oregano, thyme, cinnamon, palmarosa, bay leaf, clove bud, lemon grass, and allspice oils and the constituents: carvacrol, cinnamaldehyde, thymol, eugenol, salicylaldehyde, geraniol, isoeugenol, citral, perillaldehyde, and estragole.  Those most active against L. monocytogenes were gardenia, cedarwood, bay leaf, clove bud, oregano, cinnamon, allspice, thyme, and patchouli and the constituents of cinnamaldehyde, eugenol, thymol, carvacrol, citral, geraniol, perillaldehyde, carvone S, estragole, and salicylaldehyde.  Those most active against S. enterica were thyme, oregano, cinnamon, clove bud, allspice, bay leaf, palmarosa, and marjoram oils as well as thymol, cinnamaldehyde, carvacrol, eugenol, salicylaldehyde, geraniol, isoeugenol, terpineol, perillaldehyde, and estragole.  From:  Friedman, M., Henika, P. R., & Mandrell, R. E. (2002). Bactericidal activities of plant essential oils and some of their isolated constituents against Campylobacter jejuni, Escherichia coli, Listeria monocytogenes, and Salmonella enterica. Journal of Food Protection®, 65(10), 1545-1560.
• Essential oil constituents were tested against foodborne pathogens.  Carvacrol showed strong bactericidal activity against all tester strains, Citral, perillaldehyde, and citronellal were effective against V. vulnificus. Citral, geraniol, and perillaldehyde were effective against E. coli, E. coli O157:H7, and S. typhimurium. From:  Kim, J., Marshall, M. R., & Wei, C. I. (1995). Antibacterial activity of some essential oil components against five foodborne pathogens. Journal of agricultural and food chemistry, 43(11), 2839-2845.
• Carvacrol and thymol, as found in oregano, can be used to treat food spoilage pathogens.  From:  Lambert, R. J. W., Skandamis, P. N., Coote, P. J., & Nychas, G. J. (2001). A study of the minimum inhibitory concentration and mode of action of oregano essential oil, thymol and carvacrol. Journal of applied microbiology, 91(3), 453-462.
• Sixteen essential oils and forty-two pure constituents were tested against Candida albicans. Origanum vulgare, Satureja montana, Mentha piperita, Cinnamomum verum, and Cymbopogon flexuosus along with the  pure constituents (by family) of , β-phellandrene, carvacrol, 1-decanol, and trans-cynnamaldehyde.  From:  Tampieri, M. P., Galuppi, R., Macchioni, F., Carelle, M. S., Falcioni, L., Cioni, P. L., & Morelli, I. (2005). The inhibition of Candida albicans by selected essential oils and their major components. Mycopathologia, 159(3), 339-345.
• The following essential oils and their constituents in order of effectiveness were active against pathogens in apple juice:  against E. coli: carvacrol, oregano oil, geraniol, eugenol, cinnamon leaf oil, citral, clove bud oil, lemongrass oil, cinnamon bark oil, and lemon oil, and against S. enterica:  melissa oil, carvacrol, oregano oil, terpeineol, geraniol, lemon oil, citral, lemongrass oil, cinnamon leaf oil, and linalool. From:  Friedman, M., Henika, P. R., Levin, C. E., & Mandrell, R. E. (2004). Antibacterial activities of plant essential oils and their components against Escherichia coli O157: H7 and Salmonella enterica in apple juice. Journal of agricultural and food chemistry, 52(19), 6042-6048
• Oregano, spearmint, lavender, and sage essential oils and the constituents of carvacrol and thymol exhibited antifungal properties against the human pathogens Malassezia furfur, Trichophyton rubrum, and Trichosporon beigelii. From:  Adam, K., Sivropoulou, A., Kokkini, S., Lanaras, T., & Arsenakis, M. (1998). Antifungal activities of Origanum vulgare subsp. hirtum, Mentha spicata, Lavandula angustifolia, and Salvia fruticosa essential oils against human pathogenic fungi. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 46(5), 1739-1745.
• The essential oil of Lippia sidoides (verbena), and its major components thymol and carvacrol exhibited potent antimicrobial activity against oral bacteria in vitro.  From:  Botelho, M. A., Nogueira, N. A. P., Bastos, G. M., Fonseca, S. G. C., Lemos, T. L. G., Matos, F. J. A., … & Brito, G. A. C. (2007). Antimicrobial activity of the essential oil from Lippia sidoides, carvacrol and thymol against oral pathogens. Brazilian Journal of Medical and Biological Research, 40(3), 349-356.
• The study demonstrated the gram positive and gram negative antibacterial activities of thymol, carvacrol, p-cymene, and γ-terpinene against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli.  From:  Cristani, M., D’Arrigo, M., Mandalari, G., Castelli, F., Sarpietro, M. G., Micieli, D., … & Trombetta, D. (2007). Interaction of four monoterpenes contained in essential oils with model membranes: implications for their antibacterial activity. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 55(15), 6300-6308.
• The in vitro study demonstrated antibiofilm activity of carvacrol, geraniol, and thymol against Candida.  From:  Dalleau, S., Cateau, E., Bergès, T., Berjeaud, J. M., & Imbert, C. (2008). In vitro activity of terpenes against Candida biofilms. International journal of antimicrobial agents, 31(6), 572-576.
• The antimicrobial activity of of thymol, carvacrol, limonene, cinnamaldehyde, and eugenol were assessed.  From:  Di Pasqua, R., Hoskins, N., Betts, G., & Mauriello, G. (2006). Changes in membrane fatty acids composition of microbial cells induced by addiction of thymol, carvacrol, limonene, cinnamaldehyde, and eugenol in the growing media. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 54(7), 2745-2749.

ANTIOXIDANT

• Ocimum basilicum (basil) and Thymus vulgaris (thyme) demonstrated antioxidant powers with the following constituents showing the strongest activity: eugenol, thymol, carvacrol, and 4-allylphenol.  From:  Lee, S. J., Umano, K., Shibamoto, T., & Lee, K. G. (2005). Identification of volatile components in basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) and thyme leaves (Thymus vulgaris L.) and their antioxidant properties. Food Chemistry, 91(1), 131-137.
• 423 essential oils from 48 different botanical families were evaluated for their antioxidant activities as free radical scavenging agents.  Results identified oils of the botanical families Lamiaceae and Myrtaceae as the most effective antioxidants, with thymol, eugenol, and carvacrol being the major constituents. From:  Anthony, K. P., Deolu‐Sobogun, S. A., & Saleh, M. A. (2012). Comprehensive assessment of antioxidant activity of essential oils. Journal of food science, 77(8), C839-C843.
• Ocimum basilicum (basil) and Thymus vulgaris (thyme) demonstrated antioxidant powers with the following constituents showing the strongest activity: eugenol, thymol, carvacrol, and 4-allylphenol.  From:  Lee, S. J., Umano, K., Shibamoto, T., & Lee, K. G. (2005). Identification of volatile components in basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) and thyme leaves (Thymus vulgaris L.) and their antioxidant properties. Food Chemistry, 91(1), 131-137.
• Thymus spicata and its constituents of thymol and carvacrol inhibited human lymphocyte oxidative DNA damage.  From:  Aydın, S., Başaran, A. A., & Başaran, N. (2005). Modulating effects of thyme and its major ingredients on oxidative DNA damage in human lymphocytes. Journal of agricultural and food chemistry, 53(4), 1299-1305.

ANTI-CANCER

• Carvacrol showed anti-genotoxicity in vitro.  From:  Ipek, E., Tüylü, B. A., & Zeytinoglu, H. (2003). Effects of carvacrol on sister chromatid exchanges in human lymphocyte cultures. In Animal Cell Technology: Basic & Applied Aspects (pp. 471-474). Springer Netherlands.
• Carvacrol inhibited lung cancer cell growth in vitro.  From:  Koparal, A. T., & Zeytinoğlu, M. (2003). Effects of carvacrol on a human non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cell line, A549. In Animal Cell Technology: Basic & Applied Aspects (pp. 207-211). Springer Netherlands.
• Thymus broussonettii and its carvacrol constituent showed in vitro cytotoxic activity against tumor cells resistant to chemotherapy. From:  Ait M’Barek, L., Ait Mouse, H., Jaâfari, A., Aboufatima, R., Benharref, A., Kamal, M., … & Chait, A. (2007). Cytotoxic effect of essential oil of thyme (Thymus broussonettii) on the IGR-OV1 tumor cells resistant to chemotherapy. Brazilian Journal of Medical and Biological Research, 40(11), 1537-1544.

INSECTICIDAL / PESTICIDAL

• Turkish oregano essential oil and its two components, carvacrol and thymol were insecticidal against the pine moth.  From:  Cetin, H., Erler, F., & Yanikoglu, A. (2007). A comparative evaluation of Origanum onites essential oil and its four major components as larvicides against the pine processionary moth, Thaumetopoea wilkinsoni Tams. Pest management science, 63(8), 830-833.
• Origanum onites  and its carvacrol constituent were acaricidal against the tick R. turanicus.  From:  Coskun, S., Girisgin, O., Kürkcüoglu, M., Malyer, H., Girisgin, A. O., Kırımer, N., & Baser, K. H. (2008). Acaricidal efficacy of Origanum onites L. essential oil against Rhipicephalus turanicus (Ixodidae). Parasitology research, 103(2), 259-261.
• Carvacrol and y-terpene constituents from Satureja thymbra (winter savory) killed ticks.   From:  Cetin, H., Cilek, J. E., Oz, E., Aydin, L., Deveci, O., & Yanikoglu, A. (2010). Acaricidal activity of Satureja thymbra L. essential oil and its major components, carvacrol and γ-terpinene against adult Hyalomma marginatum (Acari: Ixodidae). Veterinary parasitology, 170(3), 287-290.
• Essential oils of Eucalyptus globulus, Lavender officinalis, Rosemarinus officinalis, and Thymus vulgaris showed repellent activities against the mosquito: Culex pipiens pallens.  Thyme was the strongest and constituents that were effective included alpha-terpinene, thymol, p-cymene, carvacrol, and linalool.  From:  Choi, W. S., Park, B. S., Ku, S. K., & Lee, S. E. (2002). Repellent activities of essential oils and monoterpenes against Culex pipiens pallens. Journal of the American Mosquito Control Association, 18(4), 348-351.

CHOLESTEROL LOWERING

• Total phenol content of essential oils was related to LDL antioxidant activity associated with cardiac heart disease.  Phenols included:  methylchavicol, anethol, p-cymen, apiole, cinnamic ether, carvacrol, thymol, p-cymene, vanillin, cuminol, and eugenol.  From:  Teissedre, P. L., & Waterhouse, A. L. (2000). Inhibition of oxidation of human low-density lipoproteins by phenolic substances in different essential oils varieties. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 48(9), 3801-3805.

HEPATOPROTECTIVE

• Carvacrol had a significant hepatoprotective and antioxidant effect in rats. From:  Aristatile, B., Al‐Numair, K. S., Veeramani, C., & Pugalendi, K. V. (2009). Effect of carvacrol on hepatic marker enzymes and antioxidant status in d‐galactosamine‐induced hepatotoxicity in rats. Fundamental & clinical pharmacology, 23(6), 757-765.
• Carvacrol protects the liver against defects caused by ischemia and reperfusion without being toxic in rats.  From:  Canbek, M., Uyanoglu, M., Bayramoglu, G., Senturk, H., Erkasap, N., Koken, T., … & Baser, K. H. C. (2008). Effects of carvacrol on defects of ischemia-reperfusion in the rat liver. Phytomedicine, 15(6), 447-452.

DIGESTIVE HEALTH

• Carvacrol reduced inflammation in paw edema, likely  interfering with the release / synthesis of inflammatory mediators like prostanoids, and may be useful in healing gastric ulcers.  From:  Silva, F. V., Guimarães, A. G., Silva, E. R., Sousa-Neto, B. P., Machado, F. D., Quintans-Júnior, L. J., … & Oliveira, R. C. (2012). Anti-inflammatory and anti-ulcer activities of carvacrol, a monoterpene present in the essential oil of oregano. Journal of medicinal food, 15(11), 984-991.

ANTI-ASTHMA

• In a small human study, carvacrol tablets taken over two months reduced asthma symptoms over the placebo.  From:  Alavinezhad, A., Khazdair, M. R., & Boskabady, M. H. (2018). Possible therapeutic effect of carvacrol on asthmatic patients: A randomized, double blind, placebo‐controlled, Phase II clinical trial. Phytotherapy Research, 32(1), 151-159.

PRESERVATIVE

• Thyme essential oil and its constituents of thymol and carvacrol were effective against food bacteria in vitro.  From:  Cosentino, S., Tuberoso, C. I. G., Pisano, B., Satta, M. L., Mascia, V., Arzedi, E., & Palmas, F. (1999). In‐vitro antimicrobial activity and chemical composition of Sardinian thymus essential oils. Letters in applied microbiology, 29(2), 130-135.
• Essential oils of cilantro, coriander, cinnamon, oregano, rosemary, sage, clove, thyme, lemongrass, turmeric, mint, basil, and constituents of linalool, cinnamaldehyde, carvacrol, thymol, terpinene, cymene, alpha/beta pinene, bornyl acetate, camphor, 1,8-cineole, alpha terpeneol, geraniol, perrilaldehyde, and eugenol have demonstrated food preserving potential.  From:  Burt, S. (2004). Essential oils: their antibacterial properties and potential applications in foods—a review. International journal of food microbiology, 94(3), 223-253.

ANXIOLYTIC

• Carvacrol presents anxiolytic effects in mice.  From:  Melo, F. H. C., Venâncio, E. T., De Sousa, D. P., De França Fonteles, M. M., De Vasconcelos, S. M. M., Viana, G. S. B., & De Sousa, F. C. F. (2010). Anxiolytic‐like effect of Carvacrol (5‐isopropyl‐2‐methylphenol) in mice: involvement with GABAergic transmission. Fundamental & clinical pharmacology, 24(4), 437-443.

ANALGESIC

• Essential oil constituents with an analgesic activity are reviewed. Included are p-cymene, carvacrol, linalool, eugenol, menthol, alpha-bisabolol, cinnamaldehyde, citronellal, citronellol, citronellyl acetate, alpha-phelandrene, alpha-terpeneol, vanillin, borneol, myrtenol, pulegone, citral, thymol, limonene, nerol, anethole, nerolidol, carvone, farnesol, and beta-caryphyllene. From: Lima, T., da Nóbrega, F., de Brito, A., & de Sousa, D. (2017). Analgesic-like activity of essential oil constituents: an update. International journal of molecular sciences, 18(12), 2392.

By: Kathy Sadowski

Updated: 9/13/19