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July 12, 2008
Thyme on My Hands
Master Gardener Column 7/12/08
Thyme is the last herb in our song, "Scarborough Fair," but not the last song. Its official name is Thymus vulgaris. Classified as an antibiotic in herbal literature, thyme inhibits the growth of or destroys bacteria, viruses, and amoebas. While many herbal antibiotics have some direct germ killing effects, they primarily stimulate the body's own immune response. Thyme, on the other hand, helps destroy parasites in the digestive tract or bacteria on the skin. As a vulnerary, thyme encourages the healing of wounds by promoting cell growth and repair. So we truly can use thyme on our hands when we have a cut.
There are some 350 species of small, evergreen, aromatic, mostly woody perennials and sub-shrubs called thyme. They grow mainly on dry grassland and calcareous or chalky soils. The species vulgaris is the most common and, therefore, called "common thyme." A variable and adaptable shrub with linear to elliptic, hairy, grey-green leaves, it has white to pale purple flowers, with gray-green leaf-like bracts which are borne on whorls during the summer. Intolerant of wet, heavy, compacted soil, it tolerates short-term droughts. Thyme generally requires a moist to dry, light, well-drained, and moderately fertile soil, thriving in dry, rocky areas. Propagate by layering, cutting, or dividing.
Thyme is native to the western Mediterranean and Southern Italy. While there are many sub-species of vulgaris, the one called "German Winter" is compact, hardy, and well-flavored. Hardy in zones 4 - 8, it does well in a sheltered, southern exposure in Flagstaff.
Strongly antiseptic and anti-fungal, the whole plant, leaves, flowering tops, and oil, is used in various ways. Aromatic and astringent, it warms the throat and is used as an expectorant, aid to digestion, and for spasms, coughing, and whooping cough. Also, it's useful for bronchitis, bronchial mucus, asthma, laryngitis, indigestion, gastritis, and diarrhea. Externally, it is used for gargles in tonsillitis, gum disease, rheumatism and as a salve for arthritis and fungal infections such as athletes foot or nail fungus. It is often used in combination with other herbs for best benefit.
Culinarily, it has many uses. The fresh or dried leaves and flowering tops are used to flavor soups, fish, meat, sausages, marinades, especially for olives, vinegar, stuffings, and baked or sautéed vegetables, especially mushrooms and zucchini. Thyme retains its flavor well in slowly cooked dishes. Aside from flavor, its antibiotic properties help keep food from spoiling. Sage and thyme have a long use in turkey stuffing.
The dried leaves are often added to potpourris and moth-repellant sachets for their aromatic effects. Thymol, made from thyme oil, is found in toothpastes, mouthwashes, and topical anti-rheumatic preparations.
Caution is need when using the plant for personal use. Potent, a small amount goes a long way. A tea can be made by steeping one ounce of thyme in a pint of boiling water for 10 minutes with honey added to sweeten. The same tea may be used as a mouth wash for gums, colds, and coughs. One ounce of herb made into tea per day is the maximum that should be used for any purpose.
A tincture can be made for external use by putting 4 oz of the herb in a pint of alcohol, generally vodka, and leaving it for two weeks to extract the essence of the herb. After straining out the liquid, save it in a bottle for external use on wounds, foot fungus, achy joints, etc.
Distilling the essential oils is difficult and shouldn't be tried at home. They can easily be purchased at health food stores.
In modern times, we are trapped in the world of synthetics and
forget the wonderful world of plants. Unlike plastic bags, plants warm the senses with beauty, taste, and aroma as well as healing the body and balancing diseases. Even those plants we think of as weeds have many medicinal uses. Next, dandelions and mullein along with others.
Don't poison your botanical friends with herbicides. Dig them out for health. Natura naturata.
For more information about the medicinal use of herbs contact Sue Collins, RN, Family Nurse Practitioner and Certified Herbalist, at suecollins46@msn.com.
Susan B. Collins is a Master Gardener volunteer. Dana Prom Smith, a Master Gardener volunteer, is coordinating editor for the Master Gardener Column. He can be contacted at stpauls@npgcable.com. For gardening questions, call the Master Gardener Hotline, 774-1868, x19, or visit MG Web site: highelevationgardening.arizona.edu.
Posted by maxmaddy at July 12, 2008 11:10 AM