Like several other aromatic kitchen herbs, thyme was used as a meat preservative in ancient times. It was sprinkled on sacrificial animals to make them more acceptable to the gods. Thyme was introduced into cooking as an offshoot of its meat-preserving action. The Romans also used it medicinally as a cough remedy, digestive aid, and treatment for intestinal worms.
Thyme's aromatic oil contains two chemicals - thymol and carvacol - that account for its medicinal value. Both chemicals have preservative, antibacterial, and anti-fungal properties. They also have expectorant properties and may be useful as digestive aids.
Antiseptic
Thyme fights several disease-causing bacteria and fungi in the test tube, supporting its traditional use as an antiseptic, though infusions of the dried herb are nowhere near as powerful as the oil or distilled thymol. Still, for garden first aid, you can crush some fresh leaves into minor cuts and scrapes on the way to washing and bandaging them.
Digestive aid
Some studies show thymol and carvacol relax the smooth muscle tissue of the gastrointestinal tract, making thyme an anti-spasmodic. This action of these chemical constituents lend support to thyme's traditional use as a digestive aid.
Women's health
Antispasmodics relax not only the digestive tract but other smooth muscles, such as the uterus, as well. Small amounts may help relieve menstrual cramps. But in large amounts, thyme oil and thymol are considered uterine stimulants. Pregnant women may use thyme as a culinary spice, but they should avoid large amounts and should not use the herb's oil.
Cough remedy
German researchers have lent support to thyme's traditional use as a phlegm-loosener (expectorant), and in Germany today, where herbal medicine is considerably more mainstream than it is in the United States, thyme preparations are frequently prescribed to relax the respiratory tract and treat cough, whooping cough, and emphysema.
Wounds
For garden accidents, crush fresh leaves into the wound on the way to washing and bandaging it. Once wounds have been thoroughly washed, apply a few drops of thyme tincture as an antiseptic. For an infusion to help settle the stomach, soothe a cough, or possibly help relieve menstrual symptoms, use 2 teaspoons of dried herb per cup of boiling water. Steep 10 minutes. Drink up to 3 cups a day. Thyme tastes pleasantly aromatic with a faint clove-like aftertaste.
Caution
Use the herb, not its oil. Even a few teaspoons of thyme oil can be toxic, causing headache, nausea, vomiting, weakness, thyroid impairment, and heart and respiratory depression. One animal study showed thyme suppresses thyroid activity in rats. Those with thyroid conditions should consult their physicians before taking medicinal doses. Thyme and thyme oil may cause a rash in sensitive individuals.
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