Dry thyme extract is a herbal preparation traditionally used as an expectorant for a chesty cough associated with a cold. It may help bring up mucus, but it is not an antibiotic or a replacement for treatment of pneumonia or asthma. Clinical evidence is limited, and traditional use does not mean every extract has the same effect.
It is taken by mouth in the form and dose stated in the leaflet. Dry thyme extract is not the same as thyme essential oil. Strengths and minimum ages differ between products: many are intended for adults and adolescents, while only certain preparations are suitable for children. Never give a child the dose intended for an adult product.
Stomach discomfort and allergic reactions, including rash or itching, can occur. Do not use the preparation if you are allergic to thyme or other plants in the Lamiaceae family. Stop treatment and seek urgent help if facial swelling, wheezing or breathing difficulty develops.
See a doctor if the cough lasts longer than a week, worsens, or is accompanied by fever, breathlessness, pus-like sputum or blood. Do not add a cough suppressant without professional advice, since mucus needs to be cleared. During pregnancy and breastfeeding, use is not recommended without medical assessment because safety data are insufficient.