The principal component of its essential oil is thymol, or thyme camphor, which is used in the manufacture of perfumes and dentifrices.
Proponents of thymol advocate adding the oil to regular footbaths, or coating the affected toenail once or twice a day with Vicks VapoRub.
Other natural antimicrobials include the phenolic compounds thymol, found in thyme, oregano and sage, and eugenol, the main flavour ingredient of cloves and allspice.
Listerine also contains essential oils from herbs including eucalyptol, thymol, methyl salicylate and menthol.
Some ingredients added to the water, e.g. menthol, eucalyptus, camphor, thymol and pine oil also give a sensation of clearing the passageways.
Reaction of thymol and cuminic aldehyde in the Cumin Powder with the glycerides of sebum produces partial identifiable prints.
