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Registered: 03-2007
Location: Austin, Texas
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Thyme – Thymus


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Thyme has been held dear in the hearts of people for many ages. It is even said that our souls inhabit the tiny flowers of thyme. It is a member of the mint or Lamiceae family and there are perhaps 400 different species of thyme and possibly more as the plant is a prolific cross breeder. There are two major different types – upright and creeping. The upright thyme is considered superior for culinary uses, while the creeping variety is best for medicinal purposes.

It is thought that the genus name Thymus is derived from the Greek word ‘thymon’ meaning courage. Roman soldiers bathed in thyme water to give them vigor in battle. In the Middle Ages, ladies embroidered sprigs of thyme on items given to their knights-errant. During the French Revolution, thyme was used a symbol for the Republicans courage and a sprig of thyme was delivered to their doors to summon them to clandestine meetings.

Another school of thought postulates that Thymus derives from the Greek word for fumigate, alluding to its obvious aromatic qualities. In Ancient Greece, it was the utmost of compliments to tell a woman that she was as sweet as thyme. Kipling once described the pleasure of its aroma as “wind-bit thyme that smells of dawn in paradise.”

Thyme has been used by the Egyptians for embalming (and is still including in modern embalming fluid), for the preservation of anatomical and herbarium specimens, to protect paper from mold and as the first herb in the Holy Herb Charm from the Middle Ages. It is also included in a recipe from the 1600s to allow one to see fairies.

Medicinal Uses

Thyme is frequently used for problems involving the respiratory system. Thymol, one of the volatile oils of thyme, is an expectorant and therefore is beneficial for coughs. It has been said that the most benefit is gained in this situation if the medicine is made from the fresh plant only. Thyme also calms spasms of the bronchial passages and dries mucous membranes.

Thymol is also used externally for warts, infections of the skin and to encourage blood flow to the surface of the skin. A salve made from thyme can be used on shingles as well. In fact, thymol was used as an antiseptic for wounds on the battlefields of WWI.

Many sources claim thyme to be useful for various digestive complaints. It can be used to temper diarrhea, flatulence and chronic gastritis as well as stimulating the appetite. Additionally, it is used to fight parasites such as hookworms and tapeworms.

Culpeper stated that thyme was under the dominion of Venus and was therefore useful for nervous ailments and “uneasiness” of the brain. Other sources recommend thyme baths for neurasthenia – a condition characterized by fatigue, headache, depression and anxiety.

And there are a myriad of other uses. Thyme baths are also said to relieve rheumatic problems, paralysis, swelling, sprains and bruises. Thymol’s antiseptic properties make it an excellent candidate for mouthwashes and toothpastes. In fact, it is the main ingredient of Listerene. A warm infusion promotes perspiration and is useful in alleviating colic. Tea made from thyme has been considered a relieving tonic for hangovers.

Medicinal Recipes and Doses

Infusion:
Steep ½ tsp fresh herb or 1tsp dried herb in ½ cup of boiled water for 3 to 5 minutes. Take 1 to 1 1/2 cups daily, a mouthful at a time.

Oil:
Take 2 to 3 drops on a sugar cube 2 or 3 times a day

Bath additive:
Make a strong decoction and add to the bath water.

Thyme syrup for sore throats, coughing spells and colds:
Mix an herbal infusion (1 ounce dried thyme in 1 pint boiled water and strained) with 1 cup of honey. Mix thoroughly and store in the refrigerator. Take tablespoon doses several times a day.

Culinary Uses

Thyme is indispensable in the kitchen. The French include it as one of the fine herbs and it is one of the three traditional herbs in bouquet garni. One author wrote to use thyme “as freely as salt – in other words, in practically everything.” It has a strong spicy taste that compliments a wide variety of foods. It provides part of the unmistakable flavor of traditional clam and fish chowders. The list of foods containing thyme is much too long to contain here.

Besides the obvious delights of its taste, thyme has other culinary uses. The Spanish used thyme to preserve olives. And it is thought that thyme aids in the digestion of fatty foods. Additionally, honey produced by bees that frequent thyme plants is much prized in the Mediterranean.

Culinary Recipes

Thyme Jelly

Thyme Infusion
- 2 1/2 cups boiling water
- 4 tbsp dried thyme or 8 tbsp fresh thyme

- Pour water over herb and let stand 15 minutes. Strain and cool to room temperature.
¼ cup vinegar
2 ½ cups honey
3 oz liquid fruit pectin

Combine the thyme infusion, vinegar and honey in a pot and bring to a boil. Add the fruit pectin and boil hard for 1 minute. Remove from heat, skim the surface and pour into sterile jars containing a sprig of thyme.

Other Uses

Thyme has many uses solely for its wonderful smell. It is a great addition to potpourri, can be used as an incense to purify the air and a tea of it taken at bedtime is said to induce happy dreams. In aromatherapy, it is used as a powerful mood-enhancer for low spirits, fatigue and mental stress.

Thyme is also good at repelling insects and can be used to keep moths out of stored woolen items.

A soup made from thyme and beer is said to be a cure for shyness.

In the Garden

Thyme produces pretty little pink flowers from May to August that are irresistible to bees. Creeping thymes make wonderful ground covers as well.

In the vegetable garden, thyme deters the cabbage worm.

Harvest thyme for drying just before it blooms. Cut the entire plant back to 1 ½ to 2 inches tall. The plant should recover with a second growth that should not be harvested. Dry the thyme on fine screens or newspapers in a dry shady location. The leaves should be easily rubbed off and the stems discarded when the drying process is complete.

Precautions

Excessive internal use may cause symptoms of poisoning and over stimulate or suppress the thyroid gland. Do not use while pregnant.

2/28/2008, 6:03 pm Link to this post Send Email to TexasMadness   Send PM to TexasMadness
 
Firlefanz Profile
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Registered: 05-2003
Location: Germany
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Re: Thyme – Thymus


Oh, that's very good. I use thyme often, since I have a bit of a sinus problem. However, I found that drinking thyme tea at night is not a good idea since I end up coughing hard in the middle of the night.

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- Firlefanz


2/28/2008, 9:12 pm Link to this post Send Email to Firlefanz   Send PM to Firlefanz Blog
 


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