Articles

PLANTS THAT HEAL

Thyme
Botanical Name: Thymus vulgaris

By Mark Isaac Thyss, Garden of Healing®

The Ancient Romans and Greeks used ‘thymos’ in many interesting ways.

The Roman natural historian, Pliny, noted the medicinal use of Thymus vulgaris to treat headaches and intestinal complaints.

Growing wild on the rocky slopes near the Mediterranean Sea, Thyme with its highly aromatic leaves, is frequently used fresh or dried as a seasoning in a variety of culinary applications including soups, stews, sauces, meat and fish dishes.

Garden (or common) thyme is a woody-based perennial which is primarily grown as a culinary herb in herb gardens.

Thyme grows as a wiry shrub with evergreen leaves and small lavender flowers that are very attractive to bees. Whorls of tiny, tubular flowers appear on the stem ends in late spring to early summer.

Thyme is an important spice of European cuisines, especially in South Europe.

This classic herb of French cuisine is tied up into bundles together with other fresh herbs making it an essential element in bouquet garni. It has been used since antiquity, and the botanical name derives from the ancient Greek thymos.

Ancient Greeks and Romans burned thyme as sweet incense, and Roman soldiers bathed in thyme water to gain energy. Though apparently not in general use as a culinary herb among these ancients, it was employed by the Romans to give an aromatic flavor to cheese (and also to liqueurs).

Medicinally, Thyme oil has antiseptic properties and is still used as an expectorant. The Thyme flowers and leaves have been used for flu, cough, and other breathing problems such as bronchospasm and bronchitis.

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