Thyme: medicinal properties, contraindications and how to use it

What is thyme and what is it used for?

Thyme is a low bush, between 10 and 30 cm high; and dense, with very small leaves and covered with hair. Their flowers they are small, they clump together in bouquets. They vary between purple and white and leave a powerful odor to the touch. The flowering, in Spring is the best time for harvest.

The thyme plant is part of the Mediterranean landscape, thanks to its resistance to droughts and storms. There are some 40 different types of thyme, being its vulgar form (Thymus vulgaris) the most frequent. is also Related to sage, lavender, and rosemary.

Already in Egypt and Greece it was considered a “miracle” plantwhich allowed us to recover our strength and, according to Galen, cure respiratory and intestinal diseases.

It is also a versatile plant, which adds to its medicinal possibilities its uses as an insecticide and as a flavoring, both for seasoning recipes and for making perfumes. He thyme essential oil It has been valued for centuries by the cosmetic industry.

Properties and contraindications of thyme

Thyme essential oil has different compositions depending on the type of plant, but it is always based on the thymol and the carvacrol, which provide the particular smell. In addition, it contains tannins, saponosides, flavonoids and phenolic acids (caffeic and rosmarinic).

For this reason, it contributes health benefits: antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, antiparasitic, antifungal, expectorant and tonicand has the ability to whet your appetitesince it helps to produce gastric juices.

The main medicinal properties of thyme are:

Relieves the symptoms of cold, fluand other respiratory and allergic conditions, both in infusion and in thyme vapors.Facilitates digestion, so it can be used in gastroenteritis or irritable bowel syndrome, both in infusion and syrup. It also relieves abdominal swelling and avoid gases. In case of food poisoning you can restore the functioning of the gallbladder and liver. In addition, it favors elimination of intestinal parasites such as wormsDue to its tonic properties, it is highly suitable in all its forms (infusion, decoction, syrup or liquid extract) as stimulant in states of asthenia, weakness or convalescence; this is what they referred to “miraculous properties” of which they spoke in antiquity.alleviates painso it can be used in case of rheumatic pain, contractures and minor injuries in the form of massage or scrubas well as to alleviate menstrual pain or migraine (in infusion).As mouthwashrelieves the toothache and bleeding gums.It is used in eye baths for inflammations and infections such as conjunctivitis wave blepharitis.In lotion or decoction, it is used against skin fungus and to strengthen the scalpstopping hair loss.About minor injuries and burnsin washes and poultices. Together with rosemary, this medicinal plant can prevent osteoporosis.

Although it is a safe plant, one of the elements of thyme essential oil, the thujonecan have toxic effects on the liver and kidneys. Dosage abuse, especially in the form of mouthwashmay excessively increase the thyroid hormone level.

For all this the thyme It is not recommended orally in pregnancy and lactation, in children under 12 years of age or in the elderly; or in cases of gastritis, ulcers, neurological diseases or previous liver and kidney conditions. Topically, use is not recommended in children under 6 years of age.

How is thyme used?

He fresh thyme It’s enough to flavorr a stay or as an insecticide. is also found as a dried plant, for infusion and decoction; in essential oil (in drops or capsules)liquid extract and tincture, and is a common ingredient in cosmetic products.

For your topical use in case of irritation, a concentrated decoction is preparedwhich can be applied to the scalp or in case of hives. It is also used in decoction to make thyme vapors in case of nasal congestion and runny nose.As a mouthwash or eye drops decoctions of thyme are also used, but purified. oleate is an infusion of thyme in olive oilwhich is used on burns and minor wounds. To apply in scrubs on sore muscles and joints (rheumatism, contractures, low back pain…) the ideal presentation is the thyme alcohol, 96º alcohol where the bouquets of the plant are left to macerate.

Natural remedies with thyme

Infusion of thyme for cough

Mix equal parts of thyme, poppy, marshmallow and green anise. Using a tablespoon for each cup of water, boil 2 minutes, let stand covered for 10 more minutes. After filtering it, you can drink 2-3 glasses a day. To enhance the effect and improve the taste, lemon thyme and honey can be added to this tea.

Thyme tea to relieve the stomach

we mix thyme, chamomile, yarrow and bitter orange, in equal parts. First the water is boiled, and then it is poured over a tablespoon of the mixture for each cup of water. Let stand covered for 10 minutes before filtering. The herbal tea can be taken up to three times a day, after meals.

Thyme tea for irritable bowel syndrome

They mix 4 parts loosestrife to 1 part thyme, marshmallow, wild rose and green anise. Boil a tablespoon for each cup of water for 3 minutes, and let it rest for 10 more minutes. Orange blossom honey or stevia can be added to soften the flavor. A cup should be taken after each meal until the symptoms subside.

thyme rinse

one is made decoction of fresh thyme sprigs. It adds salt and a tablespoon of vinegar and strain before using it as a gargle.

Recipes with thyme

Thyme, powdered and on the branch, is a very aromatic condimentideal for stews cooked fish and meat to simmer.

Its flavor is closely associated with the Mediterranean essence; It is used, in addition to isolated, mixed with other Provencal herbs in the bouquet garni.

Due to its energetic properties, it is also prepared thyme soup, with fresh sprigs. To the soup, well concentrated, you can add bread, cheese or egg.

Thyme: Mediterranean origin

To smell a flowery thyme bush is to delve into the most intimate of the Mediterranean essence.

Few plants better represent the wild and tormented landscape of the western Mediterranean, with its persistent droughts and its sudden and destructive storms, than this modest plant of the family of the labiatae.

And few plants have been so closely linked to the history and customs of the peoples of this part of the Mare Nostrum. The branches of thyme have been included in the rites of magic and witchcraft and beliefs abound about its near-miraculous powerssuch as the one that proclaims that maintaining a few bouquets of this plant under the pillow scare away nightmares and bad omens.

There are about 14 species of thyme in Europe., most restricted to the western Mediterranean. The best known, common thyme (Thymus vulgaris L.), extends throughout the eastern half of the Iberian Peninsula, southeastern France, and the western coast of Italy.

There are other species of peninsular distribution but the best known and most widespread are: graceful thyme, with a penetrating aroma, and masticine.

In the rest of Europe the most common thyme is serpol (Thymus serpyllum L.)whose virtues are similar to those of common thyme.

He thymus vulgaris is characterized by being a low, woody and aromatic bush, with tiny, linear leaves and pinkish-white flowers, grouped in glomeruli terminals. It grows to form dense mats (tomillares or timonedas) in bushy areas, garrigues and stony areas.

Thyme is harvested the flowering topsthey look splendid from March. When collecting them, the plant should not be uprooted, but only cut the amount you want to use. then it will be left dry in the shade and in a well-ventilated space to take advantage of all its active ingredients.

Advisor: J. Mª. Teixé, herbalist of “El Manantial de Salud”