Other Common Names: Common Thyme, Du Thym, English Thyme,
French Thyme, Garden Thyme, Kekik, Pile, Summer Thyme, Tati-Zyako-So,
Thym Grandes Feuilles, Tomillo, Winter Thyme, Zombi Nan Bois, Thymus
vulgaris
Range: S. Europe
Habitat: Dry slopes, rocks and maquis. Always found on clay or limestone soils.
Composition: Leaves (Dry weight) - Water: 7.8 Calories: 276
Protein: 9.1 Fat: 7.4 Carbohydrate: 63.9 Fiber: 18.6 Ash: 11.7 Calcium:
1890 Phosphorus: 201 Iron: 123.6 Magnesium: 220 Sodium: 55 Potassium:
814 Zinc: 6.2 Vitamin A: 3800 Thiamine: 0.51 Riboflavin: 0.4 Niacin:
4.94
The Garden Thyme is an 'improved' cultivated form of the Wild Thyme
of the mountains of Spain and other European countries bordering on the
Mediterranean, flourishing also in Asia Minor, Algeria and Tunis.
The name Thyme, in its Greek form, was first given to the plant by
the Greeks as a derivative of a word which meant 'to fumigate,' either
because they used it as incense, for its balsamic odour, or because it
was taken as a type of all sweet-smelling herbs. Others derive the name
from the Greek word thumus, signifying courage, the plant being held in
ancient and mediaeval days to be a great source of invigoration, its
cordial qualities inspiring courage. The antiseptic properties of Thyme
were fully recognized in classic times, there being a reference in
Virgil's Georgics to its use as a fumigator, and Pliny tells us that,
when burnt, it puts to flight all venomous creatures. Lady Northcote
(in The Herb Garden) says that among the Greeks, Thyme denoted graceful
elegance; 'to smell of Thyme' was an expression of praise, applied to
those whose style was admirable. It was an emblem of activity, bravery
and energy, and in the days of chivalry it was the custom for ladies to
embroider a bee hovering over a sprig of Thyme on the scarves they
presented to their knights. In the south of France, Wild Thyme is a
symbol of extreme Republicanism, tufts of it being sent with the
summons to a Republican meeting.
Common thyme has a very long history of folk use for a wide range of
ailments. It is very rich in essential oils and these are the active
ingredients responsible for most of the medicinal properties. In
particular, thyme is valued for its antiseptic and antioxidant
properties, it is an excellent tonic and is used in treating
respiratory diseases and a variety of other ailments.
Thymol is a powerful antiseptic for both internal and external use;
it is also employed as a deodorant and local anaesthetic. It is
extensively used to medicate gauze and wool for surgical dressings. It
resembles carbolic acid in its action, but is less irritant to wounds,
while its germicidal action is greater. It is therefore preferable as a
dressing and during recent years has been one of the most extensively
used antiseptics. The American Horsemint (M. punctata), native to the
United States and Canada, seems likely to prove a more valuable source
of Thymol than T. vulgaris.
The flowering tops are anthelmintic, strongly antiseptic,
antispasmodic, carminative, deodorant, diaphoretic, disinfectant,
expectorant, sedative and tonic. The plant is used internally in the
treatment of dry coughs, whooping cough, bronchitis, bronchial catarrh,
asthma, laryngitis, indigestion, gastritis and diarrhoea and enuresis
in children. It should not be prescribed for pregnant woment.
Externally, it is used in the treatment of tonsillitis, gum diseases,
rheumatism, arthritis and fungal infections. The plant can be used
fresh at any time of the year, or it can be harvested as it comes into
flower and either be distilled for the oil or dried for later use.
Thyme has an antioxidant effect, thus regular use of this herb
improves the health and longevity of individual body cells and
therefore prolongs the life of the body. The essential oil is strongly
antiseptic. The whole herb is used in the treatment of digestive
disorders, sore throats, fevers etc.
The essential oil is one of the most important oils used in
aromatherapy. Its keyword is 'Bacterial'. It is used especially in
cases of exhaustion, depression, upper respiratory tract infections,
skin and scalp complaints etc. The oil can cause allergic reactions and
irritation to the skin and mucous membranes.
Leaves and flowering tops - raw in salads, used as a garnish or
added as a flavoring to cooked foods, going especially well with
mushrooms and courgettes. It is an essential ingredient of the herb mix
'bouquet garni'. It retains its flavor well in long slow cooking. The
leaves can be used either fresh or dried. If the leaves are to be
dried, the plants should be harvested in early and late summer just
before the flowers open and the leaves should be dried quickly. A
nutritional analysis is available.
An aromatic tea is made from the fresh or dried leaves. Pungent and
spicy. Thyme tea will arrest gastric fermentation. It is useful in
cases of wind spasms and colic, and will assist in promoting
perspiration at the commencement of a cold, and in fever and febrile
complaints generally.
An essential oil from the leaves is frequently used in perfumery,
soaps, toothpastes, mouthwashes, medicinally etc. It has fungicidal
properties and is also used to prevent mildew. The dried flowers are
used to repel moths from clothing whilst the growing plant is said to
repel cabbage root fly.
Known Hazards: A comment has been made in one report on
medicinal uses that the plant should be used with caution. No
explanation was given. It quite possibly refers to overuse of the
essential oil. All essential oils, since thay are so concentrated, can
be harmful in large doses.
- Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. 1985 ISBN 0-917256-20-4
- Grieve. M. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9
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