Thyme - Lore and Uses

The legends and lore surrounding Thyme are manifold. One of the first herbs to be used as incense. In the Middle Ages, it was often sprinkled on church floors together with lavender, to eliminate unwanted odours. Some believe the word Thyme to be derived from the Greek word for Courage, and others, that it is connected to the idea of cleansing or fumigating. In ancient lore, it was associated with both death and death ceremonies; yet was also thought to have the ability to attract fairies. In the same way as Sage, it has been burned in many places throughout time to cleanse the air, protect from plague, and ward off evil spirits.

Medicinal Use Of Thyme

Almost all of the Thyme family members contain a Volatile Oil called Thymo, which provides the leaves with their familiar scent and also, serves as a potent antiseptic. Medicinally, Thyme has been used for centuries as an antiseptic for soldiers during World War I and many wars prior to that. It is mentioned in Ancient Greek and Roman writings, and was well-known for its ability to attract bees, thus being used to create superior and aromatic blends of honey. This warming herb can help loosen and bring up excessive mucus during upper respiratory diseases or sinus problerms, yet, because it has anti-spasmodic tendencies, it can reduce dry coughing. It improves digestion and helps reduce spasms; reduces rheumatic and arthritic pain and provides antiseptic properties for wounds. Thymus Serpyllum contains properties that provide a more sedative effect than the conventional Thymus Vulgaris.

Ingestion of Thyme

It has been suggested that dried or fresh Thyme leaves mixed with equal parts of Lavender, Red Clover, Mullein, Rosemary, Sage, and/or Anise and infused as a Tea keeps the digestive system healthy.

For indigestion: make a tea of equal parts of dried Thyme leaves, Mint leaves and Fennel Seeds. Add 1 teaspoon of this mix to a cup of boiled water, steep covered for 5 minutes, and sip slowly. This has often proven helpful for people struggling with flatulence. A slice of Ginger added to the steeping brew reduces nausea. Ginger is really effective in reducing, eliminating, and/or preventing nausea, that many people find it superior to ready-made motion sickness preparations.

Infusions

A tea made of Thyme, Marshmallow, and Lemon Balm leaves, is a soothing remedy for Sore Throats, even more delicious when adding a little Honey and Cinnamon or a Lemon wedge to it. In fact, once you develop a taste for it, just a Thyme 'Simple', made of 1 teaspoon dried Thyme leaves steeped, covered, in 1 cup of boiled water, for 5 to 10 minutes, and laced with honey, becomes a relaxing treat on a cold winter afternoon. For effectively helping to clear mucus from the sinus-throat area, add a small pinch of dried Cayenne (Chili) powder.

Sinus headaches often respond to herbal vaporisor treatments by loosening the thick phlegm which impacts the sinus cavities, creating real pressure. A recommended steam treatment is to mix 10 drops of Lavender Essential Oil, 5 drops of Pine Essential Oil, 5 drops of Eucalyptus Essential Oil, and 5 drops of Thyme Oil. Fill a large basin or bowl with steaming water, add the Essential Oils, and taking care not to scald yourself, place a towel or cloth over your head and inhale the steam. You might prefer to allow the liquid to cool to a more reasonable temperature and dip a soft cloth into the liquid and place over the sinus area. Very rapid relief of sinus congestion and bronchial congestion...and even oncoming laryngitis, can be obtained by throwing a handful of Thyme and Sage leaves directly into some steaming water, and inhaling the vapor.

Other Uses For Thyme

For generations, hot Thyme tea was taken to induce menstruation when it was repressed (which is why this herb should not be used during pregnancy). Also, it is has been proven effective in increasing perspiration which is why it has been recommended to bring down a fever and help sweat out a cold.

Externally, a strong tea made of Thyme steeped in boiled water can be used as an antiseptic on sores, wounds, and external infections. It makes a good gargle and mouth rinse for chronic or acute gum problems. In fact, Thyme is used frequently as an ingredient in commercial toothpastes and mouthwashes. It is also recommended that a gargle be made for children with the mumps, using Thyme and Sage leaves.

A paste of warm, moistened Thyme leaves applied to the affected areais recommended for the relief of pain from abcesses, boils or swelling. In fact, this has also been known to help sciatica and rheumatic pain. Anti-inflammatory anti-pain salves, made by infusing herbs in oils such as Olive Oil or Sesame Oil, often include Thyme for the ability of its volatile oil, Thymol, to deaden pain and quiet spasms. Because Onions are excellent anti-inflammatories, an Onion broth, with a handful of dried Thyme thrown in, will help with aching joints or muscles from arthritis or from flu. Heating Chopped Onions in some olive Oil, with Coarse Salt and Thyme, until golden, and applying the COOLED mixture to a bruised site, externally, is often also very soothing and effective, even on stubbed toes and twisted ankles.

Thyme salves and pastes have also been used effectrively to treat fungus. Insects, in general, are repelled by the scent of Thyme, and so it has often been used in anti-moth, anti-insect potpourris to be used in closets, hanging from hangers or tucked into pockets. Other insect-repelling herbs that can be mixed with Thyme, and formed into little muslin-wrapped packages, include Lavender, Santolina, and Tansy.

ESSENTIAL OIL

Thyme, with its powerful Volatile Oil, Thymol, is also used as an Essential Oil, both in Aromatherapy and directly on the skin. It is frequently used in men's toilet articles. BE AWARE, however, that people can be sensitive to either of these uses, as the Essential Oil is extremely powerful, and it does enter the body through skin pores or the olofactory system. The aroma of Essential Oil of Thyme may help with depression and the Essential Oil has anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects on osteoarthritis, as do the Essential Oils of Chamomile, Cypress, Cedarwood, Eucalyptus, Ginger, Juniper, Lavender, Pine, and Rosemary.

The scent of Thyme has also been said to overcome sluggisnness and maintain alertness, whilst Thyme Essential Oil is considered by some to fight the development of cellulite on the thighs. When first starting to introduce Essential Oils into a health regime, as components of a salve or for the aroma, use them VERY sparingly .... literally one drop from a dropper. Don't put any Essential Oil directly on your skin until you know how your skin reacts to it, but add it to a spoonful of Olive of Sesame Oil.

When trying out the aroma, make sure to do it in an area that you can leave, because aromas that don't agree with you can make you nauseous, dizzy, and cause headache.

IN THE KITCHEN

Thyme is one of the basic ingredients in the herb mixture known as bouquet garni, and is an essential herb in Classical Gourmet French cooking. It is less widely used in desserts and baking, yet adds a distinctive and exciting pungency to many puddings and cookies. Thyme is a lovely addition to meatballs, beet salads, orange and Bermuda Onion salads, and herbed butters or mayonaisse. It is excellent in a Vinegraitte dressing and on fish and can even be used to make an herbal pipe tobacco, along with dried leaves of comfrey, mullein and lovage by mellowing the herbs in an air-tight tin with a slice of apple for a month.

Safety Precautions must always be considered when using essential oils. Due to their high concentration, a little goes a long way. Essential oils may cause skin irritation if not diluted, and may be toxic if taken internally in excessive amounts. Keep out of reach of children.

CAUTION!!! Excessive internal use of thyme can lead to symptoms of poisoning and to over-stimulation of the thyroid gland. Therapeutic doses of Thymus and thyme oil should be avoided during pregnancy because the herb is a uterine stimulant. As thyme oil can irritate the mucous membranes, it should always be well diluted.