Thyme

Botanical Name: Thymus vulgaris

Family: Lamiaceae (Labiatae)

Other Names: French thyme, garden thyme, mother thyme, red thyme, running thyme, shepherd's thyme, T. aestivus, T. ilerdensis, T. valentianus, T. webbianus, white thyme, wild thyme

Habitat: Rocks, dry grasslands

Description: Evergreen perennial shrub Maximum growing height 38cm/15in. Stems: woody, rectangular, and hairy. Leaves opposite, elliptical, short stalked, 6mm long 0.5-2mm wide, entire margin and recurved Green/grey leaves tiny whorls of lilac flowers July – August

Native to: Mediterranean

Introduced to: Britain

Parts Used: Leaves, flowers

Cultivation: Grows on poor, well-drained soil in sunny position. But grow well is most temperate climes

Harvesting: Below flowers are fully opened on a dry day after the dew has dried but the sun is to warm June-August

Actions: Antiseptic, anthelmintic, antimicrobial, anti-oxidant, antiputrescent, antirheumatic, antispasmodic, antitussive, antitoxic, aperitif, astringent, aphrodisiac, bactericidal, balsamic, carminative, cicatrisant, diuretic, emmenagogue, expectorant, fungicidal, hypertensive, nervine, revulsive, rubefacient, parasiticide, spasmolytic, stimulant, sudorific

Extraction: Steam or water distillation

Constituents: Volatile oil: thymol, phenol, carvacrol, 1, 8 cineole, borneol, geraniol, linalool, bornyl acetate, linalyl acetate, thymol methyl ether, alpha pinene

Flavonoids: apigenin, luteolin, thymonin, naringenin

Polyphenolic acids: labiatic, rosmarinic and caffeic acids

Polysaccharides: arabinogalactans

Monoterpene, hydrocarbons: terpinene)

Alcohol: linalool

Tannins

Pharmacology: Main action comes from the thymol in volatile oil – 8-25xs stronger than phenol but not as corrosive

Pharmacy: 1-4g dried herb infusion 3xs daily

Combines with: Cherry wild, sundew, lobelia, ephedra

Traditional Uses: Women’s disorders, coughs, colds, sore throats, tonsillitis, flu, chest infections, gastroenteritis, arthritis, muscle pain, warts, diarrhoea, toothache, whooping cough, scabies, flatulence

Culinary Uses: Meats, stews, fish, sauces, vegetables

Skin: Abscess, acne, bruises, burns, cuts, dermatitis, eczema, insect bites, lice, gum infections, oil skin, scabies

Circulatory muscle joint: Arthritis, cellulites, gout, obesity, oedema, poor circulation, rheumatism, sprains

Respiratory: Asthma, bronchitis, catarrh, coughs, laryngitis, sinusitis, sore throats

Digestive: Diarrhoea, dyspepsia, flatulence

Immune: Colds, flu

Nervous system: Nervousness, depression, headaches, insomnia, stress

Energetics: Smell: Fire, warrior spirit

Throat, communication, strength, the past and the future linked together

Yellow, fighting spirit, clear spirit

Other Notes: Used by Hippocrates & Dioscorides

Used by the ancient Egyptians in embalming

Used by the Greeks to fumigate after disease  

The name comes from the Greek “thymos” to perfume  

Legend has it that it was used as a bed for the Virgin Mary and is associated with motherhood  

It has been burnt in honour of Greek and Roman deities  

It is a symbol of strength and crusaders often went to battles with a sprig sown into their tunics

It is an emblem of embroidery and weaving

Associated with strength and courage

According to legend this plant grew from the tears of Helen of Troy

Said to enable people to see fairies

Cautions: Do not use where there is kidney problems