A number of people have told me they are interested in thymol because it is
a natural product. Commercial thymol, so far as I know, is a synthetic
chemical. It is fairly dangerous and not to be handled carelessly.

Thymol (from MSDS)

EMERGENCY OVERVIEW
Appearance:  colorless or white.
Danger! Corrosive. May be harmful if swallowed. May cause adverse
reproductive effects based upon animal studies. Causes eye and skin burns.
May cause severe respiratory tract irritation with possible burns. May
cause severe digestive tract irritation with possible burns. May cause
nervous system effects.
Target Organs: Kidneys, central nervous system, liver, spleen.

Potential Health Effects
Eye: Causes eye burns.  May cause chemical conjunctivitis and corneal
damage.
Skin: Causes skin burns. May cause skin rash (in milder cases), and cold
and clammy skin with cyanosis or pale color.
Ingestion: May cause severe and permanent damage to the digestive tract.
Causes gastrointestinal tract burns. May cause perforation of the digestive
tract. May be harmful if swallowed. May cause systemic effects.
Inhalation: Causes chemical burns to the respiratory tract. Aspiration may
lead to pulmonary edema. May cause systemic effects.
Chronic: Effects may be delayed. May cause adverse reproductive effects.

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