The bold magical properties of thyme | Welcome to Wicca now

Hello, my dears, and welcome to Magic Magic. Recently, I gave you guides to all of my favorite magic plants and herbs, like this post on the magical properties of lemon balm. I also shared a post on the magic of oak and acorns, a guide on using oregano in magic, another post on parsley and lastly a guide on the magical properties of nettles. Today I want to continue this wonderful journey by sharing with you my guide to the magical properties of thyme!

Thyme has been used for thousands of years to treat wounds, prevent disease and keep nightmares at bay. It is a powerful antiseptic and was used by the ancient Egyptians as part of their embalming process. Thyme’s magical properties include purification, love, abundance, and courage, among others.

Disclaimer: All medicinal benefits stated here are a product of my own research and as such should not be taken on the advice of trained medical professionals. If you are sick, please see a doctor. Always make sure everything you consume is 100% safe. If you are pregnant, consult your doctor or midwife before consuming anything you have not tried before.

History of Thyme

Thyme, of which the most common Thymus vulgaris is named, is a member of Lamiaceae family , which also contains mint, lavender and sage. There are more than 350 different types of thyme, most of which do not grow larger than 40 cm. Thyme is native to temperate regions in Europe, Asia and North Africa.

Thyme has been used for thousands of years. The first written mention goes to the famous Sumerian cuneiform tablets from around 2400 BC. BC back. Considered to be the earliest written medical texts, these tablets contain a prescription for a poultice of dried thyme, pear, fig, and water.

The ancient Egyptians used thyme as part of their embalming process as it is a powerful antiseptic. The ancient Greeks bathed with it and also burned it in their temples, believing that it would bring them courage and purify them. They also flavored cheese and liqueurs with it. It is mentioned by the poet Horace (65 – 8 BC) who said it was extensively cultivated by beekeepers.

You can see why these gorgeous purple blooms are a firm bee favorite, right? This wild thyme blooms with abandon and is so beautiful!

Thyme was actually spread across Europe by the Romans. Believing it to be an important herb, they took it with them when they invaded another part of Europe. They planted it where they stored it, and that’s how it spread relatively quickly.

The Romans liked to eat thyme before or after every meal, as they believed it would protect anyone who ate it from poison. They believed that a bath with thyme would nullify the effects of accidentally consumed poison. This made it a particular favorite with the upper classes and the emperors. I think they also believed in the magical properties of thyme!

Roman soldiers would exchange sources of thyme to show mutual respect. They believed that this would increase their strength and prowess in battle while also giving them courage. Both the ancient Greeks and Romans believed in these properties and burned thyme to invoke the spirit of courage.

In medieval times, thyme was used to ward off nightmares, bring sweet dreams, and aid in sleep. Women also gave to knights or warriors interested in spells made from thyme to give them courage while they were fighting. These charms were often carried in a pocket during combat, although there are some records of soldiers pinning these charms to their clothing as a badge of honor.

Carrying thyme during battle also served another purpose. It was used during funerals as people believe it ensured an easy transition to the next life for the deceased. This meant that warriors who carried thyme gained both courage and easy travel if they fell during battle.

In the late 1340s, when the plaque struck, many people turned to thyme in hopes of an antidote. It was worn around the neck in bouquets of herbs to prevent the wearer from catching the plague. It has also been used in poultices applied directly to sufferers’ skin in hopes of providing some relief. Although there’s actually no evidence that this helped, thyme contains a compound called thymol, which is a very powerful antiseptic.

During the Victoria period, people believed the patches of wild thyme growing in the forest were evidence that the fae had recently danced there. Curious people would camp at these locations overnight in hopes of seeing these revelations for themselves. While they believed in the more mythical aspects of thyme, they were also quite clever and used to bathe bandages in thyme water to sterilize them. The interesting thing is that in the 19th century, how the infection works was not fully understood. Therefore, it is very wise to use an antiseptic herb to prevent its spread.

While thyme has been used medicinally for centuries, it has also been widely used in cooking throughout history. This is a very clever use of this herb as its antiseptic properties spoiled it less quickly and kept the meat fresher for longer.

Thyme came to America with the first European colonists and was used there primarily for medicinal purposes and as a food preservative.

Today, thyme is a common plant in vegetable gardens and as a dried herb in many spice cabinets around the world. Thymol, the compound found in thyme, is still commonly used in mouthwash, acne medication, and hand sanitizer.

Interesting facts about thyme

• The use of thyme was once considered a treatment for impotence.
• The bed on which Mary gave birth to Jesus is said to contain thyme, along with a wooden roof and soil.
• A love potion meant to give you a vision of your future love contains thyme as its main ingredient.

The flowers of thyme are really interesting. Some flowers are male on day one before becoming female on day two, while others remain female all the time. This theory was first put forward by Neltje Blanchan in the 1900s and is not actually proven. This is thought to attract insects as the male flowers are more showy than the female flowers and tend to attract more pollinators.

• There is a genus of fish called thymalus which gets its name because it smells faintly of thyme.
• Thyme likes a hot and sunny position (here too!) with well-drained soil. It tolerates drought well and does not mind the cold winters.

Medicinal Benefits of Thyme

All parts of thyme can be used medicinally. Thyme oil is commonly used in mouthwashes and can also be applied to the scalp to treat baldness. The oil can also be used to fight bacterial and fungal infections.

Thyme is often taken in conjunction with other medicines. It can be taken orally to treat whooping cough, bronchitis, sore throat and stomach pain. In this way, it also helps prevent bad breath and can help with swollen tonsils.

Thyme is considered safe when consumed in amounts found in foods. Medicinal use is also considered safe if not taken for too long, as prolonged use can cause headaches, dizziness and upset the digestive system. Thyme oil is considered reasonably safe when applied to the skin. As always, use extra caution when taking herbs in medicinal amounts during pregnancy.