Thyme Health Benefits

Thyme

Other names: common thyme, garden thyme

Botanical name: Thymus vulgaris

Family: Lamiaceae

Thyme flowers

Relatives and Frauds

Basil thyme

Acinos arvensis

Lemon thyme

Thymus x citriodorus

Important

Always use organic methods when growing herbs

for medicinal useto avoid contaminants

in your remedies!

You can use thyme as a substitute for oregano or marjoram, even in Italian dishes like this yummy looking lasagne

Tie the bunch tightly. It will shrink as it dries and may fall apart otherwise.

Hang it somewhere cool, dry and airy, out of direct sunlight.

Contra-Indications

Don't use thyme if you're pregnant or trying for a

baby.

Medicinal Uses of Thyme

anti-fungal, anti-viral, anti-bacterial

antiseptic

expectorant

general tonic (adaptogen)

Standard Infusion

3-4 teaspoons fresh or 1-2 teaspons dried leaves to 250ml (1 US cup, 8 fl oz) boiling water

Allow to stand for 5-10 minutes and strain before use

Internal use

Up to 3 doses of around 80ml (a third of a cup) per day

respiratory complaints (asthma, catarrh, bronchitis/other coughs, laryngitis), chills

indigestion, diarrhea and gastritis

gargle for tonsillitis etc., mouthwash for bad breath, gum disease (gingivitis)

External use

anti-fungal, wash for fungal infections eg. athlete's foot

steam inhalation for tonsillitis, catarrh, general infections

to relieve muscle fatigue in ME/chronic fatigue

compress or poultice for rheumatic pain, arthritis etc.

A compress is a bandage dipped in an infusion or decoction and wrung out. There are 3 kinds: hot, warm and cold.

Refresh to keep the temperature right by putting it back in the liquid every now and then.

Steam Inhalation

The old way - but you can also buy electric powered steam inhalers if you are going to use this method frequently.

Home made mouthwash

2 teaspoons fresh or 1 teaspoon dried leaves to 250ml (1 US cup, 8 fl oz)

boiling water

Infuse 10 minutes, cool

Use the whole cup, one mouthful at a time

Cootie (Headlice) Repellent

Add a few drops of thyme essential oil to a bottle of sweet almond oil. (You could also use a thyme maceration.) Comb a little through the hair night and morning.

The author Frann Leach has a blog at www.HerbalMedicineFromYourGarden.com

and is the author of the Herbal Medicine from Your Garden or Windowsill series,

available on Amazon.

Visit Frann's author page at www.viewauthor.at/FrannLeach for a

complete list.