Zataria multiflora
Details Top
| Internal ID | UUID643ff0f0bdf44825187005 |
| Scientific name | Zataria multiflora |
| Authority | Boiss. |
| First published in | Diagn. Pl. Orient. 5: 18 (1844) |
Ethnobotanical Use Top
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Important notice
- Content in this section summarizes historical and cultural records. It is not medical advice.
- Do not use plants for self-treatment. Safety, efficacy, and appropriate use are not established here.
- Plant identification errors, allergies, and interactions can cause harm. Consult qualified professionals for health questions.
- Local legality and regulatory status may vary; verify before collecting, processing, or selling plant materials.
Zataria multiflora, known as Shirazi thyme, has long been used in southwest Asia as a warming digestive tea, throat gargle, and wound poultice. Among Iranian folk practitioners the dried leaves and flowering tops are infused to relieve bloating and flatulence (Zargaran, 2010), and in Afghanistan the same aerial parts are simmered in a brief decoction taken as a remedy for coughs and upper respiratory irritation (Ghahremani, 2004). Kurdish healers of Iraq prepare a strong infusion of leaves and shoots as a gargle for sore throats and to speed oral healing after dental procedures (Mozaffarian, 2007). For superficial skin complaints, crushed fresh leaves are applied as a poultice, while in some eastern Iranian villages the leaf tea is mixed with honey and taken for dyspepsia (Safaei-Ghomi, 2009). These preparations are typically short and concentrated, reflecting the plant’s hot, aromatic nature in traditional systems.
A practical and gentle preparation is a tea from the dried aerial parts: use about 1 to 2 grams of finely cut leaf and flowering tops in a pre‑warmed mug, pour 200 milliliters of near‑boiling water, cover, and infuse for 8 to 10 minutes. For a tincture intended for short‑term throat gargle or mild analgesic use, macerate 20 grams of the dried aerial plant material in 100 milliliters of 60 percent ethanol, shaking daily for 14 days, then strain; the product is comparable to a 1:5 weight/volume tincture and can be swished as a rinse or diluted in a small amount of warm water before drinking (herbal practice described in Zargaran, 2010). Avoid prolonged internal use of concentrated tinctures; do not exceed occasional short courses of tea, and avoid using essential oil or strong preparations during pregnancy. The most characteristic constituents are the phenolic monoterpenes thymol and carvacrol along with p‑cymene, γ‑terpinene, and borneol, which are responsible for the antimicrobial and warming activities traditionally associated with infusions and poultices (Ghasemi‑Pirbalouti et al., 2013; Moosavy et al., 2016).
While randomized clinical trials are still few, modern research repeatedly confirms that extracts and the essential oil exhibit antibacterial, antifungal, and antioxidant activity, supporting many of the historical uses (Ghasemi‑Pirbalouti et al., 2013; Moosavy et al., 2016). Commercially, Zataria multiflora is now widely available as dried herb and essential oil, and Shirazi thyme remains a household staple in Iran and surrounding regions for everyday stomach comfort and seasonal throat care.
General Uses Top
Suggest a correction!Common products:
The primary commercial product derived from Zataria multiflora is essential oil distilled from the aerial parts (leaves and flowering tops). It is used as a flavoring and fragrance material. The oil is rich in phenolic monoterpenes (thymol and carvacrol) with characteristic thymol chemotypes, as well as γ-terpinene and p-cymene; smaller amounts of linalool, terpinen-4-ol, borneol, and α-terpineol are also present. The composition varies by geography and harvest time; published GC analyses report total phenol (thymol + carvacrol) commonly in the range of ~55–80% for Iranian material, and lower in some Middle Eastern samples.
Food and beverages (non-medicinal):
The essential oil is used in the food and beverage industry as a natural flavoring and aroma component. When incorporated as an ingredient, it is typically employed at very low levels (as ppm additions) to impart spicy, herbaceous notes. Use follows established flavoring regulations; thymol and carvacrol are listed as flavouring substances in major jurisdictions (e.g., FEMA GRAS and EU Flavouring Regulation).
Colorants and tanning:
No documented use as a dye or tannin source has been found for Z. multiflora.
Wood and fiber:
No documented timber or fiber uses are reported.
Fragrance and cosmetics:
The essential oil is used in fragrance applications (fine perfumery and functional fragrances) as a top-to-mid note and as a fragrance ingredient in soaps, detergents, and air care products. It also serves as a fragrance and flavor component in cosmetic formulations (e.g., oral care products such as mouthwashes and toothpastes). Cosmetic uses rely on its aromatic profile rather than physiological activity; when present as a fragrance allergen it must be declared in finished products in line with IFRA standards and regional cosmetic labeling rules (e.g., EU cosmetic regulation).
Industrial and craft applications:
No non-fragrance industrial or craft applications are documented.
Properties relevant to use:
Key properties enabling the oil’s use as a fragrance/flavor include high phenolic monoterpene content (thymol and carvacrol), giving a strong, sharp, warm, and spicy aroma. Reported physical data include specific gravity (≈0.91–0.95 g/mL at 20°C) and refractive index (≈1.502–1.512 at 20°C); thymol’s melting point (≈51°C) influences crystallization at lower temperatures.
Standards and regulation:
The essential oil must comply with established standards for natural thyme/oregano oils where applicable; quality specifications typically include ranges for density, refractive index, optical rotation, ester value, and GC composition (thymol/carvacrol content). Flavoring uses must adhere to GRAS/food additive rules; fragrance uses must follow IFRA standards and local cosmetic labeling requirements.
Sustainability and sourcing:
Commercial supply is sourced from wild-harvested or cultivated material in Iran and neighboring regions. Literature reports collection from wild stands and domestic cultivation, with issues of habitat disturbance and taxonomic confusion among Origanum/Thymus/Zataria reported in regional studies; sustainable harvesting and correct botanical identification are necessary to maintain supply and product consistency.
Synonyms Top
| Scientific name | Authority | First published in |
|---|---|---|
| Zataria bracteata | Boiss. | Diagn. Pl. Orient. , ser. 2, 4: 12 (1859) |
| Zataria multiflora var. elatior | Boiss. | Fl. Orient. 4: 562. 1879 |
Common names Top
Add a new one! Suggest a correction!| Language | Common/alternative name |
|---|---|
| Persian | آویشن شیرازی |
Germination/Propagation Top
Suggest a correction or add new data!
No germination or propagation data was added yet.
Distribution (via POWO/KEW) Top
Legend for the distribution data:
- Doubtful data
- Extinct
- Introduced
- Native
-
Asia-temperate click to expand
-
Arabian Peninsula
- Oman
-
Western Asia
- Afghanistan
- Iran
-
Arabian Peninsula
-
Asia-tropical click to expand
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Indian Subcontinent
- Pakistan
- West Himalaya
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Indian Subcontinent
Links to other databases Top
Suggest others/fix!| Database | ID/link to page |
|---|---|
| World Flora Online | wfo-0000335234 |
| Tropicos | 50312172 |
| KEW | urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:461954-1 |
| The Plant List | kew-215611 |
| Open Tree Of Life | 1053966 |
| NCBI Taxonomy | 751877 |
| IPNI | 461954-1 |
| iNaturalist | 919662 |
| GBIF | 3899656 |
| Freebase | /m/011q23lj |
| EOL | 5384342 |
| USDA GRIN | 467780 |
| Wikipedia | Zataria |
Genomes (via NCBI) Top
No reference genome is available on NCBI yet. We are constantly monitoring for new data.
Scientific Literature Top
Below are displayed the latest 15 articles published in PMC (PubMed Central®) and other sources (DOI number only)!
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Phytochemical Profile Top
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Below are displayed the proven (via scientific papers) natural compounds!
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| Name | PubChem ID | Canonical SMILES | MW | Found in | Proof |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| > Benzenoids / Benzene and substituted derivatives / Benzoic acids and derivatives / Hydroxybenzoic acid derivatives | |||||
| 4-Hydroxybenzoic acid | 135 | Click to see C1=CC(=CC=C1C(=O)O)O | 138.12 | unknown |
https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)00249-1 https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(99)00259-9 |
| > Hydrocarbons / Saturated hydrocarbons / Alkanes | |||||
| Dotriacontane | 11008 | Click to see | 450.90 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)90054-2 |
| Hentriacontane | 12410 | Click to see | 436.80 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)90054-2 |
| Nonacosane | 12409 | Click to see CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC | 408.80 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)90054-2 |
| Pentatriacontane | 12413 | Click to see | 492.90 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)90054-2 |
| Tritriacontane | 12411 | Click to see CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC | 464.90 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)90054-2 |
| > Hydrocarbons / Unsaturated hydrocarbons / Branched unsaturated hydrocarbons | |||||
| Gamma-Terpinene | 7461 | Click to see | 136.23 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1002/1099-1026(200011/12)15:6<373::AID-FFJ923>3.0.CO;2-9 |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Fatty Acyls / Fatty acids and conjugates / Very long-chain fatty acids | |||||
| Behenic Acid | 8215 | Click to see CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC(=O)O | 340.60 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)90054-2 |
| Hexacosanoic Acid | 10469 | Click to see | 396.70 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)90054-2 |
| Lignoceric Acid | 11197 | Click to see CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC(=O)O | 368.60 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)90054-2 |
| Octacosanoic acid | 10470 | Click to see | 424.70 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)90054-2 |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Monoterpenoids / Acyclic monoterpenoids | |||||
| Linalool | 6549 | Click to see | 154.25 | unknown |
https://doi.org/10.1002/1099-1026(200011/12)15:6<373::AID-FFJ923>3.0.CO;2-9 https://doi.org/10.1002/(SICI)1099-1026(200003/04)15:2<119::AID-FFJ878>3.0.CO;2-V |
| Linalyl Acetate | 8294 | Click to see | 196.29 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1002/(SICI)1099-1026(200003/04)15:2<119::AID-FFJ878>3.0.CO;2-V |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Monoterpenoids / Aromatic monoterpenoids | |||||
| Benzene, 2,4-dimethyl-1-(1-methylethyl)- | 20832 | Click to see CC1=CC(=C(C=C1)C(C)C)C | 148.24 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1515/ZNB-1999-0616 |
| Carvacrol | 10364 | Click to see CC1=C(C=C(C=C1)C(C)C)O | 150.22 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1002/1099-1026(200011/12)15:6<373::AID-FFJ923>3.0.CO;2-9 |
| Carvacryl acetate | 80792 | Click to see | 192.25 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1002/1099-1026(200011/12)15:6<373::AID-FFJ923>3.0.CO;2-9 |
| Ethanol, 2-thymyloxy- | 143253 | Click to see | 194.27 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)00249-1 |
| Multiflotriol | 637108 | Click to see | 182.22 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)00249-1 |
| P-Cymene | 7463 | Click to see | 134.22 | unknown |
https://doi.org/10.1002/1099-1026(200011/12)15:6<373::AID-FFJ923>3.0.CO;2-9 https://doi.org/10.1515/ZNB-1999-0616 |
| Thymol | 6989 | Click to see | 150.22 | unknown |
https://doi.org/10.1515/ZNB-1999-0616 https://doi.org/10.1002/1099-1026(200011/12)15:6<373::AID-FFJ923>3.0.CO;2-9 |
| Thymol acetate | 68252 | Click to see CC1=CC(=C(C=C1)C(C)C)OC(=O)C | 192.25 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1002/1099-1026(200011/12)15:6<373::AID-FFJ923>3.0.CO;2-9 |
| Thymyl methyl ether | 14104 | Click to see | 164.24 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1515/ZNB-1999-0616 |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Quinone and hydroquinone lipids / Vitamin E compounds / Tocopherols | |||||
| Alpha-Tocopherol | 14985 | Click to see CC1=C(C2=C(CCC(O2)(C)CCCC(C)CCCC(C)CCCC(C)C)C(=C1O)C)C | 430.70 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)00249-1 |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Sesquiterpenoids | |||||
| Caryophyllene | 5281515 | Click to see CC1=CCCC(=C)C2CC(C2CC1)(C)C | 204.35 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1002/(SICI)1099-1026(200003/04)15:2<119::AID-FFJ878>3.0.CO;2-V |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Terpene glycosides | |||||
| Zataroside A | 25102046 | Click to see | 328.36 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(99)00259-9 |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Triterpenoids | |||||
| (1R,3aS,5aR,5bR,7aR,9S,11aR,11bS,13aR,13bR)-3a-(hydroxymethyl)-5a,5b,8,8,11a-pentamethyl-1-prop-1-en-2-yl-1,2,3,4,5,6,7,7a,9,10,11,11b,12,13,13a,13b-hexadecahydrocyclopenta[a]chrysen-9-ol | 11870460 | Click to see CC(=C)C1CCC2(C1C3CCC4C5(CCC(C(C5CCC4(C3(CC2)C)C)(C)C)O)C)CO | 442.70 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)90054-2 |
| 3-Hydroxyolean-12-en-28-oic acid | 619166 | Click to see | 456.70 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)90054-2 |
| Betulin | 72326 | Click to see CC(=C)C1CCC2(C1C3CCC4C5(CCC(C(C5CCC4(C3(CC2)C)C)(C)C)O)C)CO | 442.70 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)90054-2 |
| Betulinic Acid | 64971 | Click to see | 456.70 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1515/ZNB-1999-0616 |
| Lup-20(29)-ene-3beta,28-diol | 221023 | Click to see | 442.70 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)90054-2 |
| Oleanolic Acid | 10494 | Click to see | 456.70 | unknown |
https://doi.org/10.1515/ZNB-1999-0616 https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)90054-2 |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Steroids and steroid derivatives / Stigmastanes and derivatives | |||||
| (3R,8R,9R,10S,13R,14R,17S)-17-[(2R,5R)-5-ethyl-6-methylheptan-2-yl]-10,13-dimethyl-2,3,4,7,8,9,11,12,14,15,16,17-dodecahydro-1H-cyclopenta[a]phenanthren-3-ol | 162965363 | Click to see CCC(CCC(C)C1CCC2C1(CCC3C2CC=C4C3(CCC(C4)O)C)C)C(C)C | 414.70 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)90054-2 |
| 17-(5-ethyl-6-methylheptan-2-yl)-10,13-dimethyl-2,3,4,7,8,9,11,12,14,15,16,17-dodecahydro-1H-cyclopenta[a]phenanthren-3-ol | 86821 | Click to see CCC(CCC(C)C1CCC2C1(CCC3C2CC=C4C3(CCC(C4)O)C)C)C(C)C | 414.70 | unknown |
https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)90054-2 https://doi.org/10.1515/ZNB-1999-0616 |
| Stigmast-5-en-3-ol | 22012 | Click to see | 414.70 | unknown |
https://doi.org/10.1515/ZNB-1999-0616 https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)90054-2 |
| Stigmasterol | 5280794 | Click to see | 412.70 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1515/ZNB-1999-0616 |
| > Organic oxygen compounds / Organooxygen compounds / Carbohydrates and carbohydrate conjugates / Glycosyl compounds / Phenolic glycosides | |||||
| Zataroside B | 14589106 | Click to see | 328.36 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(99)00259-9 |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Cinnamic acids and derivatives / Hydroxycinnamic acids and derivatives / Coumaric acids and derivatives | |||||
| (S)-Rosmarinic acid | 639655 | Click to see | 360.30 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/J.FITOTE.2004.01.017 |
| 3-(3,4-Dihydroxyphenyl)-2-[3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)prop-2-enoyloxy]propanoic acid | 5099 | Click to see C1=CC(=C(C=C1CC(C(=O)O)OC(=O)C=CC2=CC(=C(C=C2)O)O)O)O | 360.30 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/J.FITOTE.2004.01.017 |
| Rosmarinic Acid | 5281792 | Click to see | 360.30 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/J.FITOTE.2004.01.017 |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Flavones | |||||
| Luteolin | 5280445 | Click to see C1=CC(=C(C=C1C2=CC(=O)C3=C(C=C(C=C3O2)O)O)O)O | 286.24 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)00249-1 |
Collections Top
| In private collections | 0 |
| In public collections | 0 |