* Remember to always consult a doctor if you plan to medicate with natural plants.
Post on the "herbarium" tag to help compile the first blockchain supported herbarium! Let's make this a collective effort, I'll keep creating content, hoping to see you join! Have a wonderful day and stay healthy!
Wonder Plant #011 - Thyme (Thymus Vulgaris & Thymus Serpyllum), an effective and tasty antiseptic
Recipes in Useful Links section.
Also called Garden Thyme, Thymus Vulgaris is a plant cultivated as a fine herb, but also as a natural medicine. It grows up to 10 inches tall and blooms from May to September. Thymus Serpyllum is also named Mother of Thyme, Creeping Thyme and Mountain Thyme. The latter is usually smaller than Garden Thyme, at only 2-3 inches high in the wild. Thyme's Greek name thymon is derived from the Greek word meaning "to fumigate". In the medieval ages, pillows filled with tyme were used for people afflicted with melancholia and/or epilepsy. There are also legends that speak of fairies dancing in thyme gardens.
As suggested by @noborders: Thyme is called Kakukkfű in Hungarian!
As suggested by @ewkaw: Portuguese Thyme (Thymus Carnosus) can be found on dunes near the ocean. It has very small leaves and looks like this:
Properties and uses:
- Thymus Vulgaris:
- Antiseptic
- Anthelmintic
- Antispasmodic
- Carminative
- Diaphoretic
- Expectorant
- Sedative
- Soothes throat and bronchial problems, laryngitis and coughing
- Helps with diarrhea, chronic gastritis, lack of appetite
- Promotes perspiration
- Mouthwash and toothpaste
- Thymus Serpyllum:
- Antispasmodic
- Carminative
- Expectorant
- Rubefacient
- Tonic
- For gastrointestinal problems
- Alcoholic extracts are used for tumors, stab wounds, bruises and rheumatism
Preparation and dosage:
- Infusion: Steep 1/2 tsp. of fresh herbs or 1 tsp. dried herb in 1/2 cup water for 3-5 minutes. Use 1 cup a day.
- Oil: Use 2-3 drops on a sugar cube, up to 3 times a day.
- Tincture and Extracts: 10-20 drops, 3 times a day.
Useful links:
- University of Illinois Extension
- Dalhousie University - Faculty of Agriculture
- University of Maryland Extension
- Antimicrobial Activity of Thyme Oil - NCBI
- Cooking - Allrecipes.com
- Cooking - BBC Food
- Cooking - Cookinglight.com
Sources:
- All definitions were taken for the Merriam Webster website: https://www.merriam-webster.com
- Prevention Magazine Health Books. Complete Book of Medicinal Cures. 1994. Berkley Health Reference. 376.
- Lust, John. The Herb Book. 1974. Bantham Books. p. 378.
Pictures (in order of appearance):
- fresh-square.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/thyme2.jpg
- farm2.static.flickr.com/1659/26592408416_38e2c8fe24.jpg
- img0.etsystatic.com/103/0/7575002/il_fullxfull.836989422_ozbx.jpg
Edits:
- Hungarian name as suggested by @noborders
- Thymus Carnosus as suggested by @ewkaw
I love Thyme! I have two pots on my balcony and it is blooming with tiny white flowers right now! So pretty and delicious.
I also found a Portuguese Thyme (Thymus carnosus)on dunes near the ocean. It has thing and very small leaves. I thought it was some succulent first. Do you know that one?
Hi! I edited the post to include your suggestion about Thymus Carnosus. I had not heard of it before, thank you very much for your contribution! Good day to you!
I didn't know it too until last summer when I saw it growing near the beach we went to. I am not sure if it is used as a herb in the kitchen, but it looks nice :)
Glad I could help!
I'm so excited to hear about the herbarium tag!
:-D
Thank you for the post about thyme!
Thank you for your feedback :) I'm glad the herbarium cought your attention, feel free to join the party and help compile the first herbarium supported by blockchain technology! Have a good one and see your there!
I had to translate it but I found it, it's Kakukkfű in Hungarian :) I use it for potatoes.
https://hu.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kakukkf%C5%B1
Yes! Potatoes are great when baked with thyme! I will add the Hungarian name for it in the post! Thanks for your contribution!
My pleasure!
Great post! Upped and resteemed!
Thank you for your feedback and the resteem! Have a great day !