Thyme, Flowering
(also referred to as...)
Common Thyme, English Thyme, Garden Thyme,
Lemon Thyme, Mother of Thyme, Wild Thyme
Latin Name: Thymus vulgaris, Thymus x. Citriodorus
Family: Labiatae
Description
"Thymus" is the original Greek name used by Theophrastus both for thyme and savory. Fossil remains from more than 5 million years ago show imprints of recognizable, present day, varieties of thyme. Throughout history, thyme has come to symbolize death as the souls of the dead were believed to rest in the flowers and the smell of thyme has apparently been detected at several haunted sites. It is also associated with various rituals once carried out by young women to reveal their true love and has been widely used as a fumigant and incense.
Some 350 species of small evergreen aromatic perennials belong to this Eurasian genus. Many thymes make wonderful garden plants and are ideal for rock gardens, walls, and containers. Though the flowers are small, they produce an abundance of nectar and many species are important as bee plants.
Thymes need plenty of sunlight and good drainage, low humidity and a rocky, chalky soil rich in trace elements. They are shallow rooted and susceptible to heaving by alternating freezing and thawing. This herb should also be covered with a mulch of straw or pine needles in the fall.
Thyme has a pungent, tangy flavour. Use with poultry, red meat, fish, tomatoes, cabbage, green vegetables, clam chowder, or vegetable soup. For aesthetic flare, line hors d'oeuvre trays with whole thyme sprigs. Crushed sprigs can also be placed in the cavity of a chicken, along with lemon slices, before roasting.
Ailments / Situations Where Used
Thyme can be used for respiratory tract infections, including asthma, laryngitis, tonsillitis, coughs, sore throats, deep seated chest infections with thick yellow phlegm. It can also be used for digestive tract related situations, including poor digestion, diarrhea, dyspepsia and flatulence, irritable bowel syndrome.
Thyme is one of the most powerful antiseptics known. The main ingredient in the essential oil, thymol, has anti-septic, anti-fungal, and anti-microbial properties and is applied externally via aromatherapy. Diffuse the essential oil into the air or apply, diluted, on skin infections and wounds.
This herb also stimulates local immunity and blood supply and is used to treat diarrhea and bedwetting in children. The oil also has bitter properties may expel worms, and, in small doses, has a tranquilizing effect.
Source
Stripped leaves and flowers.
Preparations
Bites and Infected Wounds: Dilute 10 drops per 20mL water.
Chest Rub: Dilute 10 drops in 20mL carrier oil.
Massage: Dilute 10 drops per 25mL carrier oil.
Herb
Infusion: Add 2 teaspoons dried herb to one cup hot water. Take 3 times daily.
Thyme
Tincture: Take 20 to 40 drops 3 times daily.
Thyme may be combined with lobelia and ephedra to treat asthma. It may also be used with wild cherry bark (Prunus serotina) and sundew (Drosera rotundifolia) to treat whooping cough.
Contraindications / Precautions / Warnings
Avoid therapeutic doses during pregnancy as thyme acts as a uterine stimulant. Culinary use is safe.
Thyme oil is generally only suitable for external use and should always be diluted with a carrier oil. It is irritating. It is included appropriately, in very small amounts, with peppermint, in enteric coated capsules for irritable bowel syndrome.
Ailment / Situation Listing
