Thyme (Thymus vulgaris), the hardy Mediterranean herb that not only looks gorgeous when lining footpaths and flower beds, smells divine, but also has many health benefits in addition to being a wonderful herb for adding flavour to fish, stews, soups, casseroles, to breads, muffins, as well as flavouring olive oil. Beautifully versatile!
As with most of the Mediterranean herbs it is aromatic containing essential oils thymol and carvacrol, triterpenes and polysaccharides not only to address respiratory issues, but also digestive issues. As one of many bitter tonics, thyme is carminative, anthelmintic and antiseptic supporting and aiding effective digestion.
The volatile oils in thyme provide antibacterial and antifungal effects that support the body’s fight against infections, especially in the respiratory, digestive and genitourinary systems.
Thyme, a low-lying, rugged shrub that was revered in ancient times for its culinary, aromatic and medicinal properties, was in ancient Greece used as incense and burned at sacred ceremonies as a symbol of courage, power and strength. The association with bravery continued through medieval times. The word 'Thyme' in fact came from the Greek word thymon meaning 'courage.' During crusades it was given to the knights by the women as a small sprig or tied into a scarf that was placed over an embroidered bee to give them strength before going into battle. The Greeks also used thyme essential oil for massage, no doubt when they returned from their crusades! To them it denoted graceful elegance.
The Egyptians found thyme to be an effective embalming fluid which they used to preserve deceased pharaohs. The use of thyme, not only for culinary purposes, but medicinal purposes also, has continued to the present day, valued for its antibacterial and cleansing properties both on the skin, internally and as a mouthwash.
Thyme has warming actions, is spicy and supports the lungs, liver and stomach, with the ability to warm and clear phlegm as well as to stop coughing. The warming action also increases perspiration, therefore reducing fevers. This herb is particularly important during the change of seasons, especially autumn into winter and winter to spring due to the antiseptic properties that have affinity for the respiratory tract and killing seasonal bugs. It is antimicrobial and antispasmodic, a decongestant as well as bronchodilator healing both unproductive and productive coughs.
If digestion is sluggish with bloating and flatulence, thyme is an especially good remedy. Also effective in situations when absorption of vitamins, minerals and when bile flow is weak. Bile or gall is a yellowish-green fluid that is made by and then released from the liver to be stored in the gallbladder, where it gets its name, to then be used to aid digestion by breaking down fat into fatty acids which are then absorbed by the body.
How can thyme be used?
Thyme can be taken internally by adding to cooking or as a tea to settle digestion and ease coughing, alternatively as a tincture to address deeper respiratory problems. It can also be used externally in massage oils for aching muscles and joints or as a liniment on cuts and wounds.
For the first signs of a sore throat, thyme makes an effective gargle, which can be supported by also taking it internally or as an inhalant to steam your head, loosening up any phlegm. It is also useful as an antiseptic mouth wash for infected bleeding gums and a douche for vaginal infections. Should your children come home from school with head lice, it can also be applied in a lotion to eradicate lice.
One of my favourite ways to use thyme is as a steam inhalation when suffering from a cold or flu, sinusitis, laryngitis, catarrh or for asthma. Thyme does not have to be fresh it can be dried (organic is best) and simply re-constituted in boiling water for a few minutes before covering your head with a towel and breathing deeply over the steaming bowl of water for approximately 8-10 minutes. Doing this 2-3 times a day will release blocked sinuses, loosen phlegm in the lungs relieving a tight and congested chest.
What better way to end this blog than with a quote from “A Midsummer Night‘s Dream.” Spoken by Oberon, King of the Faeries of his Queen Titania:
I know a bank where the wild thyme blows,
Where oxlips and the nodding violet grows,
Quite over-canopied with luscious woodbine,
With sweet musk-roses and with eglantine:
There sleeps Titania sometime of the night,
Lull’d in these flowers with dances and delight;
And there the snake throws her enamell’d skin,
Weed wide enough to wrap a fairy in:
And you thought that thyme is simply a “common” herb that is used liberally in the kitchen?
NOTE: Avoid taking medicinally during pregnancy unless consulting a specialist.
Use with caution if suffering from gastritis, enterocolitis and if suffering congestive heart failure.
References:
The Encylopaedia of Healing Foods, Dr Michael Murray and Dr Joseph Pizzorno
Dispensing with Tradition, Anne McIntrye, Michelle Boudin
Add new comment