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Herbal Glossary | Medicinal Glossary | Herbal Preparations | Ayervedic Formulas | Chinese Formulas Thyme
Scientific Names
Common Names
Parts Usually UsedBerries, fruits, leaves, and flowers Description of Plant(s) and CultureThyme has numerous woody stems 6-10 inches high, covered in fine hair, and flattish round leaves, growing in pairs. The flowers, small bluish-purple, two-lipped, are borne in whorled in dense, head-like clusters, blooming fro May to September, like the rest of the plant, are heavily scented. This herb has been cultivated for centuries for both medicine and
cookery. There are many varieties of thyme from ground covers to shrubby
plants a foot or more high: creeping thyme (T. praecox), lemon thyme
(T. citriodorus), orange blossom thyme (T x citriodorus orange blossom),
(T. glabrescens), (T. mastichina), mother-of-thyme (T. praecox subsp.
arcticus), woolly thyme (T. psudolanuginosus), wild thyme (T. serpyllum),
argenteus, aureus, T. herba-barona, Spanish thyme (T. zygis), etc.
All thymes require full sun and fairly dry, light, well-drained soil.
Basil thyme (Acinos thymoides). Thyme tends to rob the soil of nutrients. Where FoundThyme grows wild on dry banks and heaths. Grows wild on hillsides
in Greece and throughout the Mediterranean, Europe and the British
Isles. Medicinal PropertiesAnthelmitic, antispasmodic, carminative, diaphoretic, expectorant,
sedative. Biochemical InformationBorneol, cavacrol, fluorine, gum, trace minerals, bitter principle,
saponins, flavonoids, essential oils, tannins, triterpenic acids,
and vitamins B-complex, C, and D. Legends, Myths and StoriesAn oil in thyme was once a standard ingredient of most antiseptic lotions and commercial disinfectants, mouthwashes and toothpastes. Around 3000 BC the Sumerians were using it as a medicinal ingredient, and the Egyptians included it among the herbs and spices used in mummification. The Greeks used thyme as a temple incense (the word thyme comes from a Greek word meaning "to fumigate", and both they and the Romans praised its healing virtues. During the Middle Ages thyme was considered a symbol of courage, and knights rode into battle wearing scarves on which their ladies had embroidered sprigs of the herb. A Biblical association with thyme is the Christ-child's manger, Christian
tradition holds with good cause that thyme was among the 3 or 4 herbs
upon which Mary and the Child bedded in Bethlehem of Judea, and so
it has become an herb to be in the gardens of churches and monasteries. UsesUsed for sinusitis and asthma. Eliminates gas and reduces fever, mucus, and headaches. Good for chronic respiratory problems, colds, flu, bronchitis, whooping cough, and sore throat. Lowers cholesterol levels. Good to relieve coughs, and whooping cough. Externally, helps sprains and strains. A poultice can be made from the leaves of thyme that will combat all forms of inflammation and infection. Effective against hookworms. Rub the extract between the toes daily for athlete's foot. Used externally, the extract can be used daily for crabs, lice, and scabies. Taken internally by standard infusion, thyme is a first-rate digestive, febrifuge and liver tonic. Anti-spasmodic and nervine, it is held to cure a wide range of psychological disorders, even insanity. Hysteria, halitosis and assorted female ailments, especially mastitis, loss of appetite. Thyme baths are said to be helpful for neurastenia, rheumatic problems,, paralysis, bruises, swellings, and sprains. The salve made from thyme can be used for shingles. Thyme can repel insects and moths. It is said to aid the growth of
eggplant, tomatoes, and potatoes when planted nearby in the garden.
Thyme is a favorite of bees. Formulas or DosagesInfusion: steep 1/2 tsp. fresh herb or 1 tsp. dried herb in 1/2 cup water for 3 to 5 minutes. Take 1 to 1 1/2 cups per day, a mouthful at a time. Oil: take 10-20 drops, 3 times per day. Bath additive: make a strong decoction and add to the bath
water. How SoldSold commercially as a spice. WarningUse sparingly. Do not make a habit of using thyme. Avoid therapeutic doses of thyme and thyme oil in any form during pregnancy because the herb is a uterine stimulant. Thyme oil can irritate mucous membranes. Always dilute it well if used. Excessive internal use of thyme can lead to symptoms of poisoning
and to overstimulation of the thyroid gland. Use caution.
Bibliography
Herbal Gardening, compiled by The Robison York State Herb Garden, Cornell Plantations, Matthaei Botanical Gardens of the University of Michigan, University of California Botanical Garden, Berkeley., Pantheon Books, Knopf Publishing Group, New York, 1994, first edition
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Common
thyme
The Herb Book
, by John Lust, Bantam Books, 666 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY. copyright 1974.
, by Earl Mindell, R.Ph., Ph.D., Simon & Schuster/Fireside, Rockefeller Center 1230 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York 10020Copyright © 1996-2010 Lynn DeVries, all rights reserved.