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15 Jun 2008

Thyme Herb


When most people think about the herb Thyme (Thymus Vulgaris) they think of it as a cullinary herb or ingredient of bouquet-garni to add to their cooking. Thyme has many more uses as a medication, household cleanser and in beauty products.

Thyme comes originally from the Mediterranean area and was used as far back as the Ancient Egyptians for embalming, the Ancient Greeks wore it for courage and to fumigate rooms, and the Romans to flavor cheese.

Thyme comes in many different varieties but the most popular being common thyme and lemon thyme. It is easy to grow in the garden or in pots on a sunny windowsill.

Thyme has antiseptic, expectorant, antispasmodic, and deodorant properties so is used for bronchial ailments like coughs and colds, for fungal skin problems, for digestive problems like colic, parasites and flatulence , for PMS, as a mouthwash and even for hangovers. It is the volatile oil in thyme containing thymol, carvacolo, borneol and geraniol, plus flavonoids, which give it these wonderful healing properties. It is also said to strengthen the immune system.

A simple cup of thyme tea, made with half a teaspoon of dried thyme or one teaspoon of fresh thyme and steeped for a few minutes, will relax bronchial spasms and dry out mucous, relieving coughing.

Note: The herb generally does not cause any allergic reactions but thyme oil should be used with care, not taken internally and well diluted externally.

In the home it is used as an insect repellent either by using in a spray or burning it and as an alternative to moth balls in cupboards. It is also burnt in the home to bring good health by fumigating and cleansing the rooms.

Keep dried thyme in a glass jar in a cool dark area and fresh thyme in the fridge. Of course it is nice to have a pot of it hand to use as you require it. For thyme in food see my other entry Common Thyme.

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Our garden must have thyme
Thyme for each other
Thyme for family
Thyme for friends
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Thyme and Fennel Seed Cleanser for Normal Skin
From SpaIndex
As an infusion, fennel seeds can be gently cleansing and toning for the skin, and they can help reduce puffiness and superficial irritation. Thyme, is a good astringent. Because this cleanser is very gentle, it can be used each morning.

2 sprigs fresh thyme, crumbled (or 1/2 tbsp dried Thyme)
2 tsps fennel seeds, crushed
1/2 cup boiling water
juice of half lemon

Mix the thyme and fennel seed in a bowl and cover with boiling water. Add lemon juice and steep for 15 minutes. Strain the infusion and store the liquid in a jar, in the refrigerator. Dab it on your face and neck with a cotton ball, and rinse.


Lavender, Lemon and Thyme Bath Salts
From MakeYourOwnCosmetics
Submitted by Danielle Martin
Sprinkle Lavender, Lemon and Thyme Bath Salts into a warm bath for a heavenly scent which is both relaxing and invigorating.

1 cup coarse sea salt
1 handful crushed dried thyme
2 drops lavender essential oil
1 drop lemon essential oil

Pour salt into a bowl. Sprinkle over it the crushed dried thyme and stir. Add the drops of essential oils, one at a time, stirring well after each addition. Mix well - this is important to ensure that the scent is evenly spread. Store the salts in a wooden box, glass jar or small hessian sack. (Use glass if you plan to store it a long time -- glass will ensure that the container does not absorb the essential oils.) Sprinkle the salts into a warm bath for a heavenly scent which is both relaxing and invigorating. Yield: 1 bath, Shelf Life: Indefinite.


Green Tea Thyme Toner
From SkinCareResourceCente
Submitted by Jinni
This toner is as simple as they come and really serves to stimulate as well as to protect the skin. This combination is great toner recipe for all skin types but is especially beneficial for acne prone and oily skin. Also used as a compress for inflamed skin as well, especially for sunburn.

4 to 5 good quality green tea bags or several heaping tsps of green tea leaves
1/3 to 1/2 cup of fresh thyme roughly chopped
2 cups of mineral or vitamin water
small pot

Combine all ingredients in a small pot. Bring the pot to a boil then turn down the heat and let simmer for 10 minutes. Remove the pot from the heat and let the tea and thyme steep until cool. This will make a rich, highly concentrated green tea and thyme solution. Squeeze out each tea bag thoroughly over the pot, press the thyme with the back of a spoon to release every bit of the herb, and then strain liquid into a container. Use a cotton ball to tone the skin every day. The tea thyme toner can be kept for at least a week in the refrigerator.


Cough-Control Tea
From MarthaStewart

2 tsps organic lemon rinds
1 tsp dried sage or 2 tsps fresh sage
1/2 tsp dried thyme or 1 tsp fresh thyme
juice half lemon
honey/sweetener to taste

Pour hot water over lemon rinds, sage, and thyme. Cover and steep for 15 minutes. Strain tea, then add lemon juice and sweetener. Drink two to three cups daily for cough relief.


Moth Repellent
From TheDollarStretcher

1 handful each of dried thyme, tansy, peppermint, pennyroyal, and whole cloves
2 handfuls each of dried lavender, southern-wood, santolina, and lemon peel
1 tablespoon powdered orris root
Several drops of lemon or clove oil

Mix all ingredients well and spoon into small cheesecloth or cotton bags, filling each with about 1/2 cup. Hang in closets or over hangers that hold your woolens.


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7 comments:

Anonymous said...

thanks for the info jackie. great post. i love growing herbs in my "little garden" hehe, i don't really have garden, i just grow them in pots. but i had no luck with thyme so i always end up using dried thyme.

have a blessed week ahead.

Kristen's Raw said...

I love thyme :) Thanks for all of the information!

CAO- Chef Azura othman said...

Oh i planted a pot of thyme in my house in England and it was really bushy , I certainly love cooking with thyme but now I might try the thyme toner ..sounds nice

Anonymous said...

thank you for the information.. ;)
very informative..
i have to link your post to your blog.. ;)

Marion said...

Another super post and recipes. You're wonderful, Jackie!

I didn't know this about thyme tea. I've had a cough for awhile, I think I'll go pick some thyme and soothe it some.

Anonymous said...

Very good blog with a lot of helpful information and recipes. I love anything natural. Thanks for visiting. I'm going to bookmark your blog for future visits.

Happy Blogging,
PK

Funkyscents said...

This is a good idea,I normally buy herbal tea online at funkyscents that too at wholesale prices, but never try of making at home.Thanks for sharing.

Thanks,
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