A Healing Herb - Thyme

Thyme has many healing properties including relaxing and supporting the nervous system and improving mental congnition

Hi, I’m Sue and I write about the beauty and ingenuity of Nature, and how we can deepen our connection for our optimum health and wellbeing. Discover more Nature-inspired content on Spiral Leaf and my video Nature Channel.

A Healing Herb Guide

Thyme is the second herb to feature in my new Healing Herb Guide.

Thyme has an instantly recognisable fragrance that is bright, sweet and earthy with notes of Pepper, Mint, Pine and Eucalyptus. Lemon Thyme has a pronounced citrus flavour and other varieties of Thyme mimic the flavours that they are named after.

Thyme belongs to the Mint family and is a relative to Oregano with similar shaped oval lanceolate leaves with rolled edges. Thyme is a classic garden herb that thrives as well in a pot on a windowsill as it does in a garden flower bed. Thyme is an evergreen herb used for medicinal, cleansing, culinary and ornamental purposes.

I hope you enjoy discovering the life-giving and healing benefits of Thyme as part of a healthy lifestyle and diet for your good health and wellbeing.

Folklore

Thyme originates from the Mediterranean where it has always been an important addition to the Winter Kitchen when other herbs are less readily available.

Thyme once provided an entrance into the Fairiy Realm. It was the key ingredient in a potion the Fairies made to enable the user to see them, especially when taken during the Summer Solstice on Midsummer's night.

The aromatic scent of Thyme was known for its cleansing properties, both physically and spiritually. It was used to purify the air in homes and places of worship across the land.

Thyme has long been associated with Bees, especially some of the more solitary ones like the Blue Mason Bee. No Bee-friendly garden should be without Thyme which flowers from June through to October.

Nutrition

Thyme provides a rich source of essential vitamins such as A, E, C, K, B-complex and folate. It is also one of the best sources of calcium, iron, manganese, selenium and potassium.

Thyme contains antiseptic, antiviral, antibacterial, carminative, diaphoretic and expectorant properties which support healing throughout the entire body.

Thyme is a good source of pyridoxine which is known to play an important role in manufacturing GABA levels in the brain, aid in regulating sleep patterns, and benefit neurotransmitter function and mental function. GABA is an active ingredient and one of the best natural defenses against stress damage.

SOURCE: Medical Medium - Thyme

Remedies

Thyme aids digestion by helping to break down fatty foods often eaten more frequently in the colder months when other herbs are not so readily available.

Thyme is a key component of Bouquet Garni which, together with Sage, Bay and Parsley, is tied into bundles to add to casseroles and soups, adding flavour and helping with digestion.

Thyme has strong antiseptic properties and makes a powerful herbal tea (see below) for inner cleansing and easing a sore throat.

Thyme placed under the pillow ensures a restful night’s sleep and burning dried Thyme helps to purify rooms and buildings. Bathing in bathwater infused with Thyme helps to relieve sadness, anxiety and tension.

SOURCE: Herbal Haven - Thyme

Recipes

Thyme Herbal Tea

Fresh (or dried) Thyme Herbal Tea makes a powerful healing remedy that works as a gentle aid to digestion, especially after a heavy meal.

Ideally, steep a handful of fresh sprigs in hot filtered water for at least 10 minutes or soak overnight in a pitcher of filtered water to sip throughout the following day.

Add organic Raw Honey and fresh Lemon juice

for added nutrients, sweetness and flavour.

A growing collection

I hope you enjoyed the second in an ongoing series of posts about the healing powers and health benefits of herbs that can be grown in any sized garden - and in pots too!

Thank you for joining me on this journey of herbal delights and discovery. I hope it will become a helpful resource that you can rely on for well-researched and tested information - and as a starting point for further learning.

I look forward to seeing you again soon.

Other Herbs to explore …

A Healing Herb - Parsley

A Healing Herb - Rosemary

A Healing Herb - Mint

A Healing Herb - Lemon Balm

A Healing Herb - Lemon Verbena

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