The Thyme Plant

Thymus vulgaris

The Thyme plant is also known as Common Thyme, Creeping Thyme, French Thyme, Mountain Thyme, and Garden Thyme.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION AND INFORMATION:

Common Thyme (Garden) is a bushy perennial aromatic garden herb that grows to about the height if fifteen inches. It has tiny white or purplish-pink flowers that are arranged in dense whorls on terminal spikes.

Garden Thyme has numerous tiny grayish green leaves. There are between 300 and 400 varieties of the thyme plant.

For culinary uses, thyme herb is a good addition to soups, meat, and fish dishes. Added to marinades, thyme will provide a special flavor.

TARGET AILMENTS:

Use internally for:

* sluggish digestion

* dyspepsia

* catarrhal congestion

* bronchitis

* cold and flu

* croup

* asthma

* whooping cough

* reducing flatulence

* Chronic gastritis

* stomach cramps

* diarrhea

Use as a gargle for:

* laryngitis

* tonsillitis

* sore throats

* antiseptic mouthwash

Apply externally for:

* soothing painful joints

* abscesses

* boils

Use in baths for:

* neurasthenia

* rheumatism

* paralysis

* bruises

* swellings and sprains

PREPARATION:

Common Thyme is available fresh or dried, tinctures, extracts, and ointments.

Thyme herb can be used as an infusion, decoction, tea, and poultice.

Parts used: Leaves, flowers, oil

Collection: The stems are collected just as the flowers are starting to flower.

Constituents: Volatile oil, tannin, flavoniods, bitter principle, triterpenoids, linalol

Actions: Anti-inflammatory, antitussive, anti-bacterial, anti-spasmodic, anti-fungal, anthelmintic, astringent, expectorant, carminative, anti-microbial, anti-catarrhal, diaphoretic, tonic, vulnerary

Combinations: Thyme can be combined with Lobelia and Ephedra, adding its anti-microbial effect to help treat asthmatic problems.

It can also be used with Wild Cherry and Sundew to treat whooping cough.

SAFETY AND SIDE EFFECTS:

* Do not use Thyme herb during pregnancy.

* Avoid using if you have blood pressure.

* Do not take more than one teaspoon of dried Thyme leaf daily.