Description:
This evergreen plant is a low growing creeping plant that is upright and can grow to 40 cm although I rarely see it higher than 10 or 20. It has spiky leaves that give the distinctive aroma of thyme, very aromatic. The leaves are opposing and give off their scent when touched. The blooms are a light blue, white to purplish and in moderate climates it is known to bloom year round. Interestingly in Oaxaca and like romero, you will often find fresh bundles of the herb in markets, natural stores and mercados.
In the photo above the one to the right is also pictured with a beet to give you perspective on the size of the plant.
Where it grows:
Thyme grows best in rich soils with a lot of sun, water and nutrients. It does not do well in shade, poor soils although it does grow well hydroponically. And, if you also have a fish growing facility, the water from that is particularly helpful. And like rosemary which is also from the Mediterranean, I have not found it growing in the wild.
Health Benefits
Antioxidant:
I find it is moderately adaptogenic and supporting of relieving oxidative stress. Like rosemary it has a wide range of functions and can support most healing processes. And as it is strongly aromatic, just breathing it can be supportive.
It is known to reduce blood pressure and cholesterol when used over time. And whether belonging in this section or the next it is known to improve acne and skin disorders.
Like all anti-oxidant plants it is good to stop use before surgery as it thins the blood. Also it is contra-indicated in pregnancy (it has been used to stimulate menstruation).
Anti-bacterial and Antiviral:
Thyme like rosemary and elderberry is a plant that has traditionally been used for almost all bacterial and viral infections. Sources such as Doña Queta have not referenced it as strongly as European traditional medicine. Interestingly it is not referenced as much in US traditional medicine as well. This is disappointing as it is a tremendous herb that belongs in all medicinal gardens.
Historical uses include, cough relief so that you can heal and rest quickly. The antispasmodic, antiseptic, and expectorant properties of this herb are helping with urinary infections and bronchial catarrh.Thymol one of it’s components reduces mucous build-up in the respiratory tract. It is useful in treating whooping cough.
It can help resolve bad breath as it is anti-bacterial.
Anti-carcinogenic:
Traditional European medicine believes it to heal the entire body, restore vitality and in general improve health. As such I would not hesitate to work with it with cancer patients particularly of the lung. I did not find studies to verify this but it has been studied in relation to breast cancer with good result.
Anti-parasitical:
It is anti-parasitical and anti-fungal. So it is great or yeast, thrush, gastrointestinal issues. I would not hesitate to use it in combination with other anti-parasitic herbs (I believe when working with parasites especially long term parasitical situations several herbs in combination).
The essential oil of thyme is known to stop the growth of molds. So it is a good addition to foods that have a tendency to mold if you like the flavor.
It has also been used inside the house to repel pests such as mice, mosquitoes and the like.
Brain Health:
I do not find it strongly neuro-protective and healing like rosemary and curcuma. But, as a tea it is a gentle nervine that reduces restless mind. Because of it’s anti-parasitical properties I would be comfortable adding it to formulas to reduce pesticides and heavy metals in the body.
Nutrition:
It’s use in nutrition is primarily as a spice and tea. I really enjoy a cup of thyme and rosemary tea.
And, like all the European traditional spice herbs it is great for food to prevent spoilage.
Muscle Pain Relief:
There is not a strong history of it’s use in this area. But, because of it’s strong actions and it is a traditional bath herb, I would add it to at least try if the situation is a difficult one (see the use as an antispasmodic).
Antispasmodic:
Thyme is beneficial as an antispasmodic, particularly of the lungs. For chronic coughing, I find it definitely supportive particularly when combined with other herbs for the same function such as angelica. It has been used for bronchitis although I haven’t had to use it this way. And as it is expectorant, it can feel like it is causing cough until you cough up what it wants.
It helps with pain and cramps in the womb, menstrual cramps, regulates the menstrual cycle, and has antiseptic action against uterine infections (not a good idea if pregnant).
I have not used it for other antispasmodic situations but it is well worth trying.
Magic:
Thyme has had been used magically as well as rosemary. Thyme though is thought to bring courage. And placed under your pillow at night it is thought to help sleep and prevent nightmares.
Methods of preparation:
Although you can use the entire plant I tend to only work with the stems and leaves. As with most perennials I want to be able to keep the plant alive and growing in my medicinal garden.
Infusion place 2 tsp in a cup and cover with boiling water for 10 to 20 minutes. It is really good to combine it with rosemary for a double effect.
Decoction place 1/2 cup of leaves and stems in 1 liter of water and simmer for 10 to 15 minutes.
Tincture dried leaves is done with a dried leaves by weight plus 5 times the weight of water and alcohol at 50% each. Shake daily and keep in a dark place for 2 weeks.
Tincture fresh leaves is done by filling a glass vessel with leaves and stems (I don’t peal the leaves from the stems) and fill with 100% alcohol. Shake daily and keep in a dark place until done. With fresh tinctures I find they are ready in a few days but I often leave them longer as pray with them.
To use in salves you first make a strong oil, dried leaves are best for working with oils unless you fully remove any water from the fresh leaves. In an oven proof container (glass or stainless steel not teflon or aluminum), place the leaves, mix in a slight amount of alcohol just to break down the cell wall, cover with a good quality oil, and warm in open oven for 12 hours or so. Strain and the resulting oil is a base for salves. When used alone just add beeswax to the consistency desired.
It can also benefit in a poultice. It is not drawing like some herbs but it is definitely regenerative to the area you are supporting. So in a poultice I would use it as a supportive rather than primary herb.
And you can use this in your bath and vapor baths. So for example, if you had chronic candida this is one of the plants I would recommend for a vaginal vapor bath. Or a vapor bath for sinus conditions and sinusitis.
Also, with most strongly aromatic plants I prefer working with the fresh rather than dried plant. And unlike some I find it effective even when dried, I just like fresh better.
Notes from my work with Thyme:
Thyme came to my attention when I focused on learning the traditional cooking herbs and their medicinal uses. So the first thing I did was to plant some. I have not tried to grow this plant from seed and find it readily available in green houses already growing (I can’t seem to grow things from seed).
I had been having problems with some sort of bug eating all my plants and when I added thyme within days the bugs were gone, these were primarily slugs and snails.
In my current garden I am having most problems with grasshoppers and ants eating everything down to the stem. And, as you can see in the photo a number of stems have been defoliated but not the whole plant like others in the garden. So it appears to repeal grasshoppers at least.
I also find that it heals the imbalances in the soils. When I first started growing it, I had no worms in my garden and the soil was very poor. In just a few months I would find an abundance of worms in the soil.
Contrindications:
Pregnancy is not a good time to use this herb.
As a member of the mint/oregano family and like all herbs, start slow and make sure you are not allergic or sensitive..