Thyme Herb and spice

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Thyme has been used in kitchens throughout the world for centuries

and more to flavor stews and mix with roast potatoes. It is a widely

used and popular herb found in nearly every kitchen cabinet. It is

easy to obtain and relatively inexpensive to purchase fresh or dried.

This wonderfully fragrant herb has many uses in the kitchen, but the

ones that I wish to discuss here are the ones that most people

overlook or never knew of in the first place.

Thyme is derrived from a Greek word meaning courage. The roman

soldiers of long ago would bathe in it to invigorate themselves for

battle, and the ladies of yore would sew sprigs of the herb into the

vests of their errant knights as a token of good luck. The Egyptians

used it in their infamous ceremonies as an ingredient in their

embalming fluids; it is known to be both a preservative and an

antifungal agent.

One of the most useful factors of this herb is its antiseptic

qualities. Used as a tea bag and warmed it can cure styes, and

greatly aid pink eye or conjunctivitus. The combination of the

soothing warmth of the tea bags and the drawing qualities of the herb

add up to pure relief when used in this manner.

If you grow it as a fresh herb in your garden it can be crushed and

used to clean cuts and scrapes, giving you an immediate garden

antiseptic remedy. These qualities have ben proven by laboratory

tests and these tests have shown that it does in FACT destroy many

forms of fungus and disease causing bacteria. If drank as a tea or

eaten raw it can help gastroenteritis greatly, too. Because of its

antispasmodic qualities it is also of great relief to women suffering

from cramps during their monthly periods.

used as a tea it can relive both hangovers and also most herbalists

recommend it as a digestive aid or tonic. Finally, it is a great

cough remedy. Many herbalists recommend its usage for whooping cough,

cold, and for sore throats. It is a plant that attracts bees easily

and the honey produced by these thyme bees can be readily found in

most good supermarkets. This honey plus the teas, that I mentioned

before, are the best remedies available for these ailments.

Thyme is the equal to the trachea, bronchial tubes, and lungs in what

it is capable of , that mint is to the stomach and the intestines. I

recommend and have used it for myself happily every time I have had

any convulsive or chronic cough or sore throat. It is both an

antiseptic remember and it is a soothing mixture, too. What more

could we ask for than " thyme'.

http://www.mountainroseherbs.com/learn/thyme_leaf.php

Thyme Leaf and Herb Profile

Also known as- Thymus vulgaris, Creeping Thyme, French Thyme, Garden

Thyme, Common Thyme, Mountain Thyme.

Botanists refer to the species of the herb used in cooking as garden

thyme and to another plant as " thyme. "

Introduction

An aromatic herb in the mint family, thyme grows to a height of

fifteen inches (about 40 cm), with small rounded leaves and pink

flowers on woody stems. This herb is not the same species as mother

of thyme of wild thyme.

Experts in language tell us that thymeÍs name was derived form the

Greek word thumus, or courage. In Medieval times, knights wore sprigs

of thyme on their armor as a sign of courage. The scent of thyme was

thought to give them strength in the midst of battle, as well as

relief form pain.

Constituents

Alpha-linolenic acid, anethole, apigenin, borneol, caffeic acid,

calcium, chromium, eugenol, ferulic acid, geraniol, kaempferol,

limonene, lithium, luteolin, magnesium, manganese, methionine, p-

coumaric acid, potassium, rosmarinic acid, selenium, thymol,

tryptophan, ursolic acid.

Parts Used

The dried leaf.

Typical Preparations

Teas, tinctures, baths, gargles, toothpaste.

Summary

Oil of thyme is the main ingredient in the mouthwash Listerine. Thyme

is a strong antiseptic used externally for infected cuts and scrapes

and infernally for oral and respiratory infections.

Bath washes made from teas of thyme allowed to cool treat fungal

infections such as athleteÍs foot and also vaginal yeast infections.

Thyme contains tannins that cause proteins in skin to cross-link,

forming a barrier to infection.

Teas of thyme can be taken orally to treat allergies, asthma, colds,

and coughs. The essential oil in the herb encourages coughing up of

phlegm It stops spasms of the bronchial passages. Inhaling essential

oil of thyme placed in hot water as aromatherapy has the same

benefits.

Precautions

No one should take thyme oil internally. Women who are pregnant

should not drink thyme tea, although small amounts of thyme used in

cooking do not cause side effects. Do not take thyme as a medicine if

you have a duodenal ulcer or if you have thyroid disease.

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e.html

Classified as T. vulgaris, thyme is a perennial herb cultivated in

most countries with temperate climates. Thyme flourishes in Asia

Minor, Algeria, Spain and other European countries bordering on the

Mediterranean Sea.

There are three varieties of Thyme grown for use: broad-leaved,

narrow-leaved and variegated. The most popular variety of Thyme is

the narrow-leaved, which can be identified by its small, grayish-

green leaves. Also known as Winter or German Thyme, narrow-leaved

thyme is more aromatic than the broad-leaved variety.

Thyme has a long history of use in natural medicine in connection

with chest and respiratory problems including coughs, bronchitis, and

chest congestion. Recently, researchers have discovered important

volatile oil components of thyme that bring about its healing

effects. They are known to include carvacolo, borneol, geraniol, but

most importantly, thymol.

Thymol is an antiseptic and disinfectant that prevents the occurrence

of putrefaction. A small quantity of thymol added to albumen, milk,

solutions of gum or gelatin, will preserve them for several months.

Thymol has proven effective in the treatment of wounds, ulcers and

abscesses, and is an invaluable disinfectant that is highly effective

in disinfecting sick rooms.

Herbs and spices have been used for thousands of years to help

preserve foods and protect them from microbial contamination. Now

research shows that the volatile oil components of thyme have

antimicrobial activity against a host of different bacteria and fungi

including Staphalococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli

and Shigella sonnei.

The range of other health-supportive nutrients found in thyme is

impressive. Thyme is an excellent source of iron, manganese, calcium

and dietary fiber. Thyme also contains a variety of flavonoids,

including apigenin, naringenin, luteolin, and thymonin. These

flavonoids increase thyme's antioxidant capacity, and combined with

its status as a good source of manganese, give thyme a high standing

on the list of anti-oxidant foods.

Thyme can aid in digestion and helps to remove the mucous coating of

the intestinal tract. Thyme also has antiseptic properties and is

often used in natural toothpastes.

Drinking tea made from the green leaves of thyme can help ease

menstrual cramps and relieve PMS symptoms. Thyme tea is also helpful

for stomach problems, coughs and fevers. Thyme tea is a good choice

for children, as its flavor is pleasant. It is said that thyme tea

can alleviate whooping cough, aid in the elimination of phlegm, calm

a child's nerves and eliminate nightmares.

Other conditions thyme has been credited with alleviating include

mild sore throat, post nasal drip, sciatica, gout, headaches and

rheumatic pain. Thyme is said to aid digestion of fats, making it an

excellent complement for any recipes using oils and fats.

An allergic reaction to thyme is unlikely, but seek immediate medical

attention if it occurs. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include:

rash, itching, swelling, dizziness and trouble breathing.