Thyme for Good Health

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Thyme for Good Health

By Rev. Dr. Lisa R. Waltz, ND, DD

 

This very aromatic herb is not only good for your favorite recipes, but has

a range of healing abilities as well.

 

Thyme, Latin name Thymus vulgaris, has been cultivated for centuries for

culinary and healing uses. Thyme comes from the Mediterranean area originally,

and has been adapted to many different climates around the world. It first came

to North America with the first colonists, being used primarily as a food

preservative and for medicine at that time. It has been identified as another of

the ingredients used in mummification in ancient Egypt. Ancient Greeks

considered it a symbol of style, elegance and courage, and they used it as an incense

to cleanse holy areas. It is believed that its common name came from the Greek

word "thumus", which means "courage", or from the Greek word "thymos" meaning

"to perfume". It has been identified in writings over 3000 years old. Thymus

serpyllum, or wild thyme, is often used interchangeably with T. vulgaris, as

their properties are nearly identical.

 

Medicinal Uses of Thyme

Thyme is a powerful antiseptic. It is used in cases of anemia, bronchial

ailments, and intestinal problems. It is used as an antiseptic against tooth

decay, and destroys fungal infections as in athlete's foot and skin parasites such

as crabs and lice. It is good for colic, flatulence, sore throats, and colds,

as well as a digestive aid and a hangover remedy. Infusions of thyme are said

to be good for headaches, and has been shown to be beneficial for coughs

related to colds and flu as well as whooping cough, as the active constituents are

known to loosen and expel mucous. Thyme infusion is also soothing and healing

for skin irritations, muscle spasms, and fungal infections. This plant

contains a constituent that is helpful for preventing blood clots.

 

The essential oil is used in aromatherapy to boost the mind, spirit, and

body. The vapor from the essential oil is used to treat respiratory infection.

Taken internally oil of thyme is known to be poisonous in amounts of a teaspoon,

as it is very strong. It may be too strong for many people externally as

well, so caution is advised. Thyme oil or infusion can be added to the bath to aid

rheumatism and bronchial difficulties. Thyme is a good plant for bees,

providing them with nutritious pollen, and imparting a delicious flavor to their

honey. Its clusters of purple flowers attract bees readily. The dried flowers and

leaves of thyme are said to protect cloth from insects. Burning thyme also

repels insects. Oil of thyme diluted and used externally as a deodorant and

antiseptic can prevent mildew. An ointment made with thyme is said to be good for

warts. Culpepper writes that it is useful to help the new mother expel the

afterbirth, and that an ointment made of the leaves is useful for treating warts,

as well as easing the discomfort of gout, and killing worms internally. The

plant's actions are considered to be disinfectant, antiseptic, anodyne,

anti-inflammatory, rubefacient, antitussive, apertif, carminative, demulcent,

depurative, diaphoretic, digestive, diuretic, expectorant, fungicide, nervine,

pectoral, sedative, stimulant, and vermifuge.

 

There are no known contraindications at this time, although some people are

very sensitive to the essential oil, so patch tests are appropriate.

 

Spiritual Uses of Thyme

Thyme is burnt to cleanse spiritual rooms and spaces, as well as to bring

good health and courage to the home. Thyme placed in a sleeping pillow repels

nightmares. In medieval times, thyme was believed to bring courage to the

bearer, so women often made gifts for their knights and warriors that included thyme

leaves, or embroidered thyme leaves onto scarves to be worn in battle.

Shakespeare refers to the herb being used in the beds of fairies. It was one of the

chief ingredients in ritual altar fires, particularly by the Greeks, to purify

sacrifices to the gods. Thyme was also used in funeral rites, being used as

incense as well as to place on the coffin, where it was believed that the

departed lived in the flowers. It was believed to assure the passage into the next

life.

 

Culinary Uses of Thyme

Thyme is often used in bouquet-garni, which is small sprigs of fresh herbs

tied together and simmered in various dishes. Since it is an herb that helps

the body to digest fatty foods, it is often used as an ingredient in those kinds

of dishes. It is especially tasty with meat, poultry, and game. It has a

strong taste, so you may want to use it sparingly in most dishes.

 

Other Uses of Thyme

The fragrant dried leaves are often used in potpourris and in closet sachets

to repel insects.

 

Growing Thyme

Thyme is a bushy perennial that loves warm, sunny areas, and is found

throughout North America. It commonly grows to 15 inches tall, and makes an

excellent ground cover on dry slopes. There are many different varieties, ranging from

sub-shrub size to a creeping ground cover. Trim it back after flowering to

prevent it from becoming woody, and prune more frequently in summer, during its

most vigorous growing period. The flowers range from purple to lilac to white.

It prefers well-drained, slightly alkaline soils. Thyme can be sown from

seed, or propagated from stem cuttings. It may be killed if temperatures drop

below 10 degrees Fahrenheit, so if this is a possibility in your area, you will

want to either protect it over winter, or bring some indoors to grow on a sunny

windowsill. Thyme leaves can be dried easily, and it freezes well.

 

Bibiliography

 

The Herbal Encyclopedia - A Practical Guide to the Many Uses of Herbs by Rev.

Dr. Lisa Waltz; available in electronic form from EarthNow.org

 

A Modern Herbal by Mrs. M. Grieve

 

Handbook of Medicinal Herbs by Dr. James A. Duke

 

The Complete Herbal - by Culpeper

 

Today's Herbal Health - Woodland Publishing

 

A Study of The Taxa of Thymus L. (Labiatae) Culivated in The United States by

H.D. Flannery, 1982.

 

The Herb Society of America Encyclopedia of Herbs By D. Brown, 1995.

 

HerbalGram 23 (summer, 1990), M. Blumenthal

 

Magical Herbalism by Scott Cunningham

 

Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs by Scott Cunningham

 

Heinerman's Encyclopedia of Healing Herbs and Spices by John Heinerman

 

The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants by Andrew Chevalier

 

The Green Pharmacy by Dr. James A. Duke