Thyme Thymus Vulgaris
This is another favorite herb of mine..
“They lay on their heathery beds and listened to all the sounds of the night. They heard the little grunt of a hedgehog going by. They saw the flicker of bats overhead. They smelt the drifting scent of honeysuckle, and the delicious smell of wild thyme crushed under their bodies. A reed-warbler sang a beautiful little song in the reeds below, and then another answered.”
― Enid Blyton, The Secret Island
According to Gattefosse, the Thyme is ‘a faithful companion of the Lavender. It lives with it in perfect sympathy and partakes alike of its good and its bad fortune.’ Generally speaking, the conditions most suitable to the growth of Thyme are identical with those favoured by Lavender.
Botanical Name: Thymus vulgaris
Common name: Thyme (Bone & Mills, 2013, p. 885)
Family: Lamiaceae (Bone & Mills, 2013, p. 886)
Parts used: Leaf and Flowers (Bone & Mills, 2013, p. 885)
Constituents
Essential oil (antimicrobial and antioxidant)
Phenols: thymol and/or carvacrol
Carnosol, rosmanols, galdosol, carnosic acid (strong antioxidants)
Flavonoids
Acetophenone glycosides
Salicylates
Polysaccharide with anti-complementory properties
(Bone & Mills, 2013, p. 886)
Actions
Anti-inflammatory
Antibacterial
Antimicrobial
Antioxidant
Antiparasitic
Antiseptic
Antiviral
Expectorant
Rubefacient
Spasmolytic
(Bone & Mills, 2013, p. 885)
History
Traditionally considered a major antispasmodic cough remedy, thyme also has a long history of culinary use and as a flavouring agent in teas and liquors. Tea was administered for colic, dyspepsia and to control fever in common cold. Thyme oil was used in rheumatism and neuralgic pain.
Eclectic physicians considered thyme to be an emmenagogue and tonic and indicated the tea in disorders such as hysteria, dysmennorhea and convalescence (Bone & Mills, 2013, p. 885).
Indications
Indications supported by clinical trials include:
Productive cough
Acute bronchitis (in combination)
Traditional indications include:
Bronchitis
Whooping cough
Asthma
Catarrh and inflammations of upper respiratory tract
Dyspepsia
Colic
Flatulence
Diarrhoea (notably in children)
Tonsilitis (topical)
(Bone & Mills, 2013, p. 885)
Preparation & Dosage
Infusion: 3-12g/day
Liquid extract (1:2): 2-6mL/day
Tablet or Capsule: 2-6mL or equivilant/day
Tincture (1:5): 6-18mL/day
Gargle or mouthwash
(Bone & Mills, 2013, p. 886)
Cautions
Allergic reactions are possible, notably from tropical use (Bone & Mills, 2013, p. 886)
Large doses are not recommended in pregnancy, however the herb is compatible with lactation (Bone & Mills, 2013, p. 891)
Contradictions
None known (Bone & Mills, 2013, p. 891)
Combinations
Asthma: combines with Lobelia and Ephedra
Whooping cough: combine with Wild Cherry and Sundew
Applications: Courage, Smudging, Sleep Sachet, Attract Faeries, Increase and Protect Money
Key Words: Strength, Wealth, Peace
Planet: Venus
Element: Water
God: Ares
Goddesses: Freya, Aphrodite and Adephaghia (Greek goddess of food)
https://www.botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/t/thygar16.html
https://herbalmateriamedica.wordpress.com/2014/04/20/thymus-vulgaris/
https://www.eyeofhorus.biz/category/info/herblore/