THYME
(thymus vulgaris)
The word 'thyme'comes from a greek word meaning 'fumigation', and allusion to the healing properties of smoke. The smell of thyme lifts depression and calms anxiety. Thyme is a popular culinary and garden plant with a nimber of different varieties, all having much the same use in cooking and medicine. It likes a sunny spot and light soil and will thrive in most window boxes. In the garden it is best planted in paths as the more it is trodden on, the stronger it will smell. The fragrance is uplifting and energizing. In the Middle ages, ladies would give thyme sprigs to their champions to help them maintain their courage in jousting competitions. Thme tea can be taken to prevent nightmares and ease headaches. Thyme is strongly antiseptic and has been shown to be 20 times stronger than phenol, the standard antiseptic. It is antisposmadic and expectorant, making it an excellent medicine for lung diseases. Syrup of Thyme is a handy standby for all types of cough and wheeziness, in children and adults. Use the infused oil as a chest massage to back up internal use of tea or syrup. Thyme is also anti-fungal, and the vinegar can be used to treat fungal infections on the skin. Thyme is also useful for intestinal and bladder infections. Using antiseptic herbes for non-serious infections is preferable to using antibiotics, which upset the balance of good bacteria in the digestive tract. Excessive use of antibiotics is responsible for a number of chronic complaints, including candida which produces wind, blaoting and low energy levels.
	You should of course consult your doctor before treating yourself. If you need to take antibiotics, eat plenty of live yoghurt at the same time to maintain the balance of internal flora. Thyme is one of the best anti-candida remedies. CAUTION: Strong thyme teas are best avoided during pregnancy, but it makes a good tea for the mother after childbirth as it helps expel the placenta.
COUGH MEDICINE: This is a strong antiseptic, antibiotic and expectorant. It thins out the mucus and opens out the bronchi. Use for a deep, restless, chesty cough, tightness and sore throat. Use all of the following ingredients to make a syrup.
15gr dried thyme 8g dried sage 8g dried chamomile 2tps fennel 1tsp aniseed		20 cloves 2 garlic cloves pinch of cayenne or ginger 900mls water 450g honey
SUN INFUSED THYME VINEGAR: This is best made using fresh thyme. Crush the herb and loosely fill a large jar. Cover with wine or cider vinegar and stand outside for 40 days to catch any sunshine. Strain off the vinegar and discard the thyme. Fill the jar with fresh thyme, cover with the same vinegar and stand outside for another 40 days. This vinegar can be used as a general disinfectant, and it comes with its own natural scent.
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
BACK TO MAIN PAGE