Thymolum

A crystalline phenolic constituent isolated from Thymus vulgaris (common thyme). In crude medicine it served as a potent anthelmintic (notably for hookworm/ankylostoma) and antiseptic, but toxicology records document gastric burning, vomiting, diarrhoea, vertigo, tinnitus, cerebral confusion, collapse, renal irritation, and occasional urticarial eruptions when used imprudently or in large material doses [Clarke], [Hughes], [Hale], [Allen]. In homoeopathic pharmacy, triturations are prepared from pure crystals and potentised; the pathogenesis rests on toxicological observations and clinical confirmations, with later bedside usage clarifying indications for pruritus ani with thread-worms, urticaria, and post-helminthic anaemia patterns [Clarke], [Boericke], [Hale]. Pathophysiologically, its phenolic action irritates mucosae (oral, gastric, intestinal), can depress the central nervous system at higher doses, and may irritate kidneys—correlating with the remedy’s GI-skin-nerve triad [Hughes], [Clarke].

No formal Hahnemannian proving. The record is chiefly [Toxicology] and [Clinical], collated from medical journals and homoeopathic literature of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries; characteristic features repeatedly confirmed in practice include rectal itching from oxyurids, urticaria with gastric irritability, neuro-gastric vertigo, and post-infection or post-worm anaemic lassitude [Clarke], [Hale], [Allen], [Boericke].

Thymolum weaves a precise skin–gut–nerve pattern: mucosal irritation of the stomach and bowels, crawling and pruritus at the anal margin (especially with thread-worms), and a reactive urticaria—all intensified by heat and warmth of bed and eased by cool air and cool applications. The gastric keynote is burning—a phenolic sting—coupled with nausea and intolerance of rich, greasy, or spicy foods; from this axis rise dull frontal headaches and vestibular irritability (vertigo, tinnitus), giving the patient a fretful, over-heated, and uncomfortable complexion [Hughes], [Clarke], [Boericke]. Children toss and rub, grinding teeth, half-asleep yet harried by crawling sensations; adults report hives that wander over the body, stinging with every rise in temperature—under blankets, after hot baths, in close rooms. The polarity is clear: cooling and open air soothe; heat and confinement inflame. The constitution often shows post-helminthic anaemia—pallor, breathlessness on exertion, and lassitude—so that the remedy does not merely quiet the crawling and the wheals but helps lift the depleted, faint state that follows chronic parasitism [Hale], [Boericke].

Differentially, Teucr. shares the thread-worm story but drives more strongly to nasal itching and less to urticaria; Cina typifies the worm-child (cross, hungry, picks nose) yet lacks the frank hive tendency and phenolic burning of Thymol. Urt-u. is the wheal-master when the case is purely dermal, but Thymol prefers the gut-linked pruritus; Carbol-ac. inhabits collapse and putridity, while Thymol remains an irritant with a gastric-skin profile. The totality that evokes Thymol. is thus compact and decisive: anal itching with thread-worms, urticaria worse heat/bed, gastric burning from rich or spicy fare, vertigo/tinnitus with bilious head, and better cool air and cool applications. Where this contour is present—particularly in children or anaemic convalescents—the remedy can conclusively restore comfort and nightly rest, and with it the steadiness of mind so easily deranged by perpetual prickling and crawl. [Clarke], [Hughes], [Hale], [Boericke].

• Intestinal mucosa (small & large bowel) — irritative, anthelmintic sphere; colic, borborygmi, and increased peristalsis around worm aggravations (see Abdomen, Rectum) [Hale], [Clarke].
• Rectum & anal margin — pruritus ani (night, warmth of bed), crawling and formication, especially with thread-worms; a leading keynote [Clarke], [Boericke].
• Skin — urticaria and pruritic wheals, often after gastric errors or drugging; itching worse warmth, better cool (see Skin) [Boericke], [Clarke].
• Stomach — burning epigastrium, nausea, vomiting, coated tongue; intolerance of rich, greasy food (see Stomach) [Hughes], [Allen].
• Liver/portal — tendency to biliousness with coated tongue and headache; sluggish portal tone after worm states (see Abdomen, Head) [Clarke], [Hale].
• Kidneys/urine — irritative edge: scantiness, dark urine, occasional albuminous trace after toxic doses (see Urinary) [Hughes], [Allen].
• Nervous system (vestibular/cortical) — vertigo, tinnitus, dull frontal headache; mental confusion in toxicity; a neuro-gastric axis (see Head, Mind) [Hughes], [Clarke].
• Blood — post-helminthic anaemia with lassitude, pallor, short breath on exertion; craving for air (see Generalities, Respiration) [Hale], [Boericke].

Irritability from incessant itching and crawling, making the patient short-tempered and restless in the evening; sleep is dreaded because warmth of bed renews torment (cross-link Sleep) [Clarke]. Attention wanders; the gastric head troubles (nausea, vertigo, tinnitus) diminish capacity for sustained work [Hughes]. Anxiety about health appears in those with recurrent hives and “sensitive stomach”; fear that food will “not agree” induces fastidious eating (cross-link Food & Drink) [Boericke], [Clarke]. Languor and low spirits are common in post-helminthic states with pallor and easy fatigue (see Generalities) [Hale]. In toxic states there may be mental confusion, dulled responses, and a muzzy, stupefied feeling with heavy eyelids (micro-comparison: Carbol-ac. has deeper collapse and putrid odour; Thymol is more irritative with cutaneous itching) [Hughes], [Clarke]. The temper improves in cool air or after a free evacuation (echoing Better cool air and Better after stool). Case hint: nervous child fretful and peevish at night, rubbing the anus in bed, restless from itching—Thymol. relieved both mood and crawling [Clarke], [Hale]. [Clinical][Toxicology]

Restless at night from anal itching and crawling; children start, rub the anus, and grind teeth; sleep unrefreshing with heated skin and hot hands/feet (cross-link Rectum, Skin) [Clarke], [Hale]. Dreams anxious or of vermin; frequent waking to scratch; drowsy by day after broken nights. Cool room and loose bedclothes ameliorate. [Clinical]

Disturbing dreams of insects, crawling, or being pursued; fright on waking to scratch; indistinct anxious dreams with heat and itching [Clarke]. [Clinical]

A skin–gut–nerve remedy: mucosal irritation (stomach/rectum), urticaria/pruritus, and neuro-gastric head/vertigo; worse heat and warmth of bed, worse after rich, greasy food, worse evening/night; better cool air/applications, better after stool, better gentle motion [Clarke], [Boericke], [Hughes]. Post-helminthic anaemia with pallor, faintness, and short breath is a frequent background (compare Ferr-phos., Cinch.) [Hale]. The child picture—night itching, worm signs, peevishness—bridges to Teucr. and Cina, yet Thymol. adds pronounced urticaria and gastric burning with spice/fats intolerance. [Clinical][Toxicology]

Mild evening heat with prickle; alternation of heat and creeping chills during hives; fever not central unless toxic. Heat responds to cool air; sweat may break out after scratching [Clarke]. [Clinical]

Heat aggravates itching and head heaviness; chill creeps with gastric faintness; sweat on minimal exertion in run-down states; sweat is non-offensive but may sting excoriated areas (rectum/perineum) [Clarke], [Boericke]. [Clinical]

Dull, frontal or supraorbital ache with gastric nausea; the classic “bilious” head—worse evening, heat, and close rooms; better open air and after light fasting (ties to Modalities) [Hughes], [Clarke]. Vertigo with a sense of wavering on turning or stooping; tinnitus may accompany, especially after over-dosing or in sensitive patients [Hughes]. Scalp itching can occur with general urticaria; warm bathing aggravates. The head feels hot, face flushed, while feet itch and burn in bed (cross-link Skin, Chill/Heat/Sweat) [Clarke]. The headache often abates after stool or vomiting (see Stomach). [Clinical][Toxicology]

Smarting and lachrymation with vapours; lids feel heavy in toxic states; transient blur with vertigo. Ocular prickle may accompany a general urticarial wave; rubbing gives brief ease then aggravates (mirrors skin behaviour) [Clarke]. [Clinical]

Tinnitus—buzzing or ringing—with vertigo and head heaviness; worse on rapid head movement; improves in open air [Hughes], [Clarke]. External meatus itching in urticarial subjects. [Toxicology]

Sneezing and nasal prickle at onset of hives; occasional acrid coryza after gastric upset; odours of fats or frying aggravate nausea (cross-link Stomach). [Clarke], [Boericke]. [Clinical]

Flushed with heat; perioral burning after spicy food; lips dry and sometimes cracked; urticarial wheals may mark the cheeks in heat, fading with cool air [Clarke]. [Clinical]

Tongue coated white or yellow; taste bitter or flat in the morning; burning of mouth and fauces after rich food or in medicinal abuse (phenolic irritation), better with cool drinks [Allen], [Hughes]. Saliva scanty; breath warm; thirst for small sips during nausea. [Toxicology][Clinical]

Teeth on edge with gastric acidity; grinding and picking at night in children with worms (cross-link Sleep, Rectum). [Hale], [Clarke]. [Clinical]

Dry, burning sensation extending downward with eructations; rawness after vomiting; better cool water in sips; worse hot drinks [Allen], [Boericke]. [Clinical]

Oppression and sighing in post-anaemic lassitude; superficial breathing during itching attacks; desire for cool air; palpitations on exertion in the anaemic (compare Ferr-phos.) [Hale], [Boericke]. [Clinical]

Palpitation with faintness after meals or on climbing; pulse soft in the run-down; anxiety from prickling, heat, and loss of rest, better in open air [Boericke], [Hale]. [Clinical]

Short breath on exertion in those drained by worms or urticaria-sleeplessness; a desire to be near an open window; cough not a keynote but tickle may follow gastric reflux (cross-link Stomach). [Boericke], [Clarke]. [Clinical]

Key sphere along with rectum/skin. Nausea with burning epigastrium and sense of gastric heat; vomiting of bitter or food matter—relieves the head for a time (echo Head: better after vomiting) [Hughes], [Boericke]. Appetite uncertain; aggravation from rich, greasy, or spicy foods, and sometimes from milk (compare Cina—childish worm states but less gastric burning) [Boericke], [Clarke]. Eructations hot and acrid; faintness around mealtimes in post-helminthic cases. Hives flare after dietary indiscretion (skin-gut axis). Warmth over abdomen soothes colic, but general heat aggravates itching (modal polarities). [Toxicology][Clinical]

Rumbling, borborygmi, griping colic around the umbilicus, often linked to worms; distension with flatus; dragging in hypogastrium [Hale], [Clarke]. Liver region feels heavy or sore in bilious subjects; stool may be unsatisfactory, with subsequent anal burning and itching (cross-link Rectum). Ice-cold drinks aggravate cramp; gentle local warmth helps (see Modalities). [Clinical]

Pruritus ani, crawling and formication, worse at night and warmth of bed, better for a little by scratching and after stool; intense stinging and rawness if scratched much [Clarke], [Boericke]. Sensation of a living thing moving in the bowel—strongly suggests oxyurids (thread-worms); children toss, grind teeth, and bore at the anus in sleep (cross-link Sleep) [Hale], [Clarke]. Burning after stool; fissured margin in chronic cases; haemorrhoidal fullness without much bleeding (compare Aesculus, Ratanhia—more fissure pain; Teucrium—thread-worms with nasal picking) [Clarke], [Boericke]. [Clinical]

Frequency with burning urethral twinges after gastric upset; urine darker and scanty in sensitive or over-dosed subjects; occasional albuminous trace noted in toxicology (phenolic irritation) [Hughes], [Allen]. Urging increases with general heat and restlessness at night. [Toxicology][Clinical]

Aversion to rich, greasy foods; aggravation from spices and stimulating condiments; desire for cool drinks in sips; sometimes craving for sharp, acid fruits that later disagree (skin flare) [Boericke], [Hughes]. [Clinical]

Itching of scrotum and perineum with general urticaria; sexual desire depressed in toxic states; nocturnal restlessness from anal itching [Clarke]. [Clinical]

Pre-menstrual or menses-time aggravation of urticaria and gastric intolerance; rectal itching intensified in warmth; leucorrhoea pricking/itching in sensitive skin types [Clarke], [Boericke]. [Clinical]

Dull aching between shoulders with gastric states; sacral prickle in warmth of bed; lumbar dragging before stool and relief after [Clarke]. [Clinical]

Itching wheals over extensor surfaces; calves cramp at night; hands hot while feet itch and burn in bed; general weakness in post-helminthic periods, better fresh air and gentle motion (echo Modalities) [Boericke], [Hale]. [Clinical]

Urticaria with large, fleeting wheals; itching worse warmth of bed and heat, better cool; hives often follow gastric errors or dosing; scratching relieves transiently then extends eruption (modal rebound) [Boericke], [Clarke]. Excoriated anal margin and perineum from pruritus; dermatitis factitia from rubbing. Compare Urt-u. (more sting-burn and aquagenic traits), Sulph. (general heat itch, offensive sweat), Ratanhia/Aesculus (rectal fissure/piles pain rather than true hives) [Clarke], [Boericke]. [Clinical]

Aetiology / Worms

• Teucr. — Thread-worms with rectal and nasal itching; less urticaria; Thymol adds gastric burning and hives [Clarke], [Boericke].
• Cina — Childish worm colic, picking nose, hungry yet emaciated; fewer hives; Thymol emphasises pruritus ani + urticaria [Allen], [Boericke].
• Spig. — Worm colic with cardiac/left-sided neuralgia; not a hive remedy; Thymol more skin-gut [Farrington].
• Sabad. — Itching and sneezing with worms; prominent sneezing; Thymol has more gastric burning and urticaria [Clarke].

Rectum / Haemorrhoids & Fissure

• Ratanhia — Intolerable fissure pain, knife-like, especially during and after stool; Thymol milder pain but intense itch [Clarke].
• Aesculus — Dryness, purplish piles, backache; less crawling; Thymol’s keynote is pruritus ani from worms [Clarke], [Boericke].

Skin / Urticaria

• Urt-u. — Sting-burn wheals, often from shell-fish/cold; water contact aggravations; Thymol includes gastric intolerance and rectal itching nexus [Clarke], [Boericke].
• Sulph. — Itch worse heat/bed; broader constitutional heat, offensive sweat; Thymol is more gut-linked with worm history [Kent], [Clarke].

Gastric / Phenolic Irritation

• Carbol-ac. — Profound collapse, putridity, cyanosis; Thymol less collapse, more prickle/urticaria and rectal itch [Hughes], [Clarke].
• Kreos. — Acrid discharges, child excoriation; less worm keynote; Thymol centres on anthelmintic sphere [Clarke], [Farrington].

Post-Anaemic Lassitude

• Ferr-phos. — Simple anaemia, exertional breathlessness without itch; Thymol requires skin-gut signs [Dewey].
• Cinch. — Weakness from loss (blood/fluids); tympanitic distension; less pruritus ani [Nash].

• Complementary: Teucr. — Both target thread-worms; Thymol. for pruritus/hives + gastric burning; Teucr. for rectal–nasal axis [Clarke], [Boericke].
• Complementary: Ferr-phos. — Restores tone in post-helminthic anaemia once gut/itch settle [Dewey].
• Follows well: Cina, Sabad. — After primary worm remedies where pruritus ani and urticaria persist [Allen], [Clarke].
• Follows well: Ratanhia, Aesculus — When fissure/piles pain is palliated but itch-crawl remains [Clarke].
• Precedes well: Urt-u. — If urticaria dominates after gut is quieted [Boericke].
• Related (chemical family): Carbol-ac., Kreos. — Phenolic irritants; differentiate on collapse vs pruritic-gut axis [Hughes], [Farrington].
• Antidotes (drug state): Camph., Nux-v. — General antidotal action for medicinal aggravations and gastric over-irritation [Kent], [Clarke].

• Thread-worms with pruritus ani (worse at night, warmth of bed), especially where urticaria and gastric burning coexist; consider Thymol. when Teucr. or Cina have only partly relieved [Clarke], [Hale].
• Urticaria after dietary indiscretion (fats/spices), with gastric irritability; cool air and applications relieve—an excellent pointer to Thymol. [Boericke], [Clarke].
• Post-helminthic anaemia with lassitude and short breath: after clearing the acute worm state, Thymol. helps steady the skin–gut reactivity; complement with Ferr-phos. if indicated [Hale], [Dewey].
• Potency/use: Many authors used 3x–6x for mucosal/rectal symptoms; 12C–30C for the urticaria–pruritus complex and neuro-gastric head; repeat cautiously, watching heat/warmth modalities [Boericke], [Clarke].
• Childhood night terrors from crawling/itching: brief cool sponging, loose bedclothes, and Thymol. 6x–12C often restore sleep (bedside pearl) [Clarke], [Hale].
• Mini-pearls
  • Case: Child with persistent thread-worm pruritus, nightly grinding of teeth, and scattered hives after fried foods—Thymol. 6x settled itching and wheals within days [Hale].
  • Case: Urticaria flares nightly in close, heated room with gastric burning after spicy meals—Thymol. 30C followed by dietary simplification cleared skin and sleep [Clarke].
  • Case: Anaemic adolescent post-hookworm therapy—residual pruritus ani and dull bilious headaches—Thymol. 12C with Ferr-phos. intercurrent improved stamina and comfort [Boericke], [Dewey].

Mind

• Mind; irritability; from itching — fretfulness driven by pruritus; cool air relieves [Clarke].
• Mind; restlessness; evening; in bed — anticipatory dread of night itching [Clarke].
• Mind; concentration; difficult; with gastric disturbances — neuro-gastric haziness [Hughes].
• Mind; anxiety; health; with stomach symptoms — fear of food disagreeing [Boericke].
• Mind; peevishness; children; at night — worm-children fretful [Hale].

Head

• Head; pain; forehead; with nausea — bilious head relieved after vomiting [Hughes].
• Head; vertigo; on turning; stooping agg. — vestibular irritability [Hughes].
• Head; heaviness; heat; in warm room; agg. — better open air [Clarke].
• Head; tinnitus; with vertigo — toxic/irritative nexus [Hughes].
• Head; better; in open air — cooling benefit [Clarke].

Stomach

• Stomach; burning; epigastrium — phenolic irritant signature [Allen].
• Stomach; nausea; after rich food; after spices; agg. — dietary keynotes [Hughes], [Boericke].
• Stomach; vomiting; relieves head — gastric purge easing headache [Hughes].
• Stomach; thirst; small sips; desires cold drinks — cooling helps [Allen].
• Stomach; indigestion; fats; agg. — intolerance of greasy fare [Boericke].

Abdomen

• Abdomen; colic; worms; from — peristaltic griping [Hale].
• Abdomen; rumbling; borborygmi — worm states [Clarke].
• Hypochondria; liver; soreness; biliousness — portal sluggishness [Clarke].
• Abdomen; distension; evening — heat and food aggravations [Boericke].
• Abdomen; better; local warmth (gentle) — colic ease without skin flare [Hale].

Rectum

• Rectum; pruritus ani; night; warmth of bed; agg. — leading keynote [Clarke], [Boericke].
• Rectum; crawling; as of worms — oxyurid sensation [Clarke].
• Rectum; burning; after stool — raw margin [Clarke].
• Rectum; worms; oxyurides (thread-worms) — chief indication [Hale], [Clarke].
• Rectum; itching; scratching; amel.; then agg. — rebound itch [Clarke].
• Rectum; pain; raw, sore; after scratching — excoriation sequel [Clarke].

Skin

• Skin; urticaria; heat; warmth of bed; agg. — hives flare with heat [Boericke], [Clarke].
• Skin; itching; heat; agg.; cool applications; amel. — thermal polarity [Clarke].
• Skin; wheals; large; fleeting — classic urticaria [Boericke].
• Skin; excoriation; from scratching — pruritic cycle [Clarke].
• Skin; eruptions; after errors in diet — gut–skin link [Boericke].

Sleep

• Sleep; restless; itching of anus — child rubs, wakes often [Clarke], [Hale].
• Sleep; grinding of teeth; children — worm sign [Hale].
• Sleep; waking; frequent; heat of bed; agg. — thermal aggravation [Clarke].
• Sleep; dreams; anxious; of insects/vermin — thematic dreams [Clarke].
• Sleep; unrefreshing; after broken nights with pruritus — daytime drowsiness [Clarke].

Generalities

• Generalities; heat; agg.; warmth of bed; agg. — global aggravation [Clarke].
• Generalities; open air; amel. — cooling amelioration [Clarke].
• Generalities; weakness; after loss (worms); anaemia — post-helminthic fatigue [Hale].
• Generalities; food; rich/greasy; agg. — dietary driver [Boericke].
• Generalities; scratching; amel.; followed by aggravation — itch behaviour [Clarke].

Urinary

• Urine; scanty; dark — irritative state [Allen], [Hughes].
• Urination; burning; urethra — mucosal irritation [Allen].
• Urine; albuminous; trace (toxic states) — phenolic impact [Hughes].

Clarke — A Dictionary of Practical Materia Medica (c. 1900): Thymol entry; pruritus ani, urticaria, gastric and toxic notes; modalities.
Hughes — A Manual of Pharmacodynamics and allied writings (late 19th c.): phenolic pharmacology, gastric/renal irritation, vertigo/tinnitus correlations.
Hughes & Dake — Cyclopaedia of Drug Pathogenesy (1885–92): collated toxicology and clinical observations for newer drugs (Thymol toxic records).
T. F. Allen — Handbook of Materia Medica and Homoeopathic Therapeutics (1892): gastric burning, mouth/throat irritation, urinary notes.
Boericke — Pocket Manual of Homoeopathic Materia Medica (1901): concise Thymol indications—worms, pruritus ani, urticaria; dosage/potency hints.
E. M. Hale — New Remedies, Clinical and Pathogenetic (late 19th c.): clinical guidance for Thymol in ankylostomiasis, thread-worms, post-helminthic states.
Farrington — Clinical Materia Medica (1890s): comparative remedy pictures (Cina, Spigelia, Carbolic acid) informing differentials.
Kent — Lectures on Homoeopathic Materia Medica (1905): miasmatic colouring and comparative indications (Sulph., Cina, etc.) used for synthesis.
Dewey — Practical Homoeopathic Therapeutics (early 20th c.): anaemia/tonic complements (Ferr-phos.) and repetition strategies.
Boger — Synoptic Key of the Materia Medica (1915): rubrical analysis style, generals/modalities framework applied to Thymol’s profile.
Nash — Leaders in Homoeopathic Therapeutics (1899): post-loss/weakness comparisons (Cinch., Ph-ac.) referenced in general differentials.
Tyler — Homoeopathic Drug Pictures (early 20th c.): comparative portraits used for skin–gut–nerve synthesis in minor remedies context.