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Lemon Balm:
Soothing, relaxing and just the thing to cope with the day to day stresses. The zesty lemon taste makes it a refreshing drink during the hot summer days filled with the goodness of anti-oxidants.

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Home Herbs A to Z Thyme (Thymus spp.)
Thyme (Thymus spp.) Print E-mail

Timeless Thyme...

In the Garden | Culinary | Fragrance | Medicinal use | Related articles

Popular garden varieties

Common Thyme

Lemon Thyme

Pink Thyme

Golden Thyme

Silver Thyme

 

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In the Garden

Growth Characteristics:

  • Perennial, Evergreen, Frost hardy,
  • Height: about 8-20cm; Spread: up to 30cm,
  • Thymes can be grown for their decorative effect as their low, matting habit makes them ideal for edging or rockery plants,
  • Ornamental Thymes include Creeping Pink Thyme, and White Thyme - more suitable for their fragrance than for cooking purposes,

Cultivation:

  • Full sun; Well drained, composted soil,

Harvesting:

  • Pick fresh leaves and flowers throughout the year,

Companion Planting:

  • Vegetables: Plant with Eggplant,
  • Herbs: Plant with all herbs,

Repellant for:

  • Cabbage maggot,

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Culinary use

Use the following Thymes for cooking:

  • Common Thyme,
  • Lemon Thyme, and
  • Silver Thyme,
  • Use fresh leaves and flowers all year round with:
  • Carrots, Potatoes, Tomatoes, Baked or sautéed Vegetables (especially mushrooms and courgettes), Mushrooms,
  • Beef, Chicken, Fish, Game, Lamb, Pork, Shellfish, Veal, Sausages,
  • Butters, Cheese, Eggs, Salad dressings, Sauces, Soups, Stews, Stuffings, Vinegars, Marinades (especially for olives),
  • French dishes, Italian dishes,
  • Thyme is a classic component of the French bouquet garni, with Bay and Parsley,
  • Curried Vegetables with Rice and Feta

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Fragrance
  • Thyme is an aromatic, decongestant, relaxant, and warming herb,
  • Use Lemon Thyme when a strong Lemon aroma is required,
  • Use in potpourris and moth-repellent sachets,
  • Bees love Thyme flowers and produce esteemed honey,
  • Use in baths, facial steams, and ointments for spots,

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Medicinal use

Thyme may be beneficial in the following cases:

General
  • Anti-inflammatory: inflammation,
  • Contains Rosmarinic acid: antioxidant, antiviral, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties.
  • Thymol, from thyme oil, is an important ingredient of toothpastes, mouthwashes, and topical, anti-rheumatic preparations,
Nervous System
  • Mild sedative: nervousness,
Skin
  • Bacterial and fungal skin infections, Athlete's foot, Wound healing,
  • Hair and scalp treatment,
Lymphatic System
  • Anti-microbial (anti bacterial and anti-fungal): Laryngitis, tonsillitis, sore throat, croup, candidiasis, infection, influenza, mastitis,
Respiratory System
  • Expectorant: Irritable cough, bronchitis, whooping cough (pertusis), croup, colds, influenza,
  • Reduce a fever,
  • Anti-microbial: Laryngitis, Croup
Digestive system
  • Carminative: Dyspepsia, Sluggish digestion, colic, flatulence, Aids digestion of fatty foods,
  • Anthelmintic: Ascariasis, hookworms,
  • Anti-inflammatory: Chronic gastritis,
  • Anti-microbial: Candida albicans
  • Astringent: Childhood diarrhea,
Reproductive System
  • Emmenagogue: Painful menstruation,

 

Preparation and dosage:

TEA:

  • 1-2g herb in 1 cup hot water, several times each day.

FLUID EXTRACT:

  • 1-2g, 1-3 x / day; (30g per 750 ml water).

COMPRESS:

  • 5% infusion.

DRIED HERB:

  • 1-4g or by infusion (3x / day).

TINCTURE:

  • 2-6 ml (3x / day).

THYME SYRUP:

  • 12g Thyme, 25g Chamomile, 1 tsp Cinnamon, A pinch of Cayenne or Ginger (optional)
  • Make a decoction, reduce and add sugar / honey.
  • 2-3 tsp up to 4x daily

CONTRAINDICATION:

  • Enterocolitis, Cardiac insufficiency, pregnancy,

DRUG INTERACTION:

  • Interferes with Fe absorption and other minerals in cases of very high consumption and extended use.

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Daily Moon Phases

Planting by the Moon

New Moon:

  • The New Moon is all about new beginnings. Rather spend the day planning your gardening for the month ahead to ensure you get the most joy out of it.
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