Thyme

In some Middle Eastern countries, the condiment za'atar (Arabic for both thyme and marjoram) contains many of the essential oils found in thyme.  Thyme is a common component of the bouquet garni, and of herbes de Provence.

 

Fresh thyme can last many months if carefully frozen.

 

Depending on how it is used in a dish, the whole sprig may be used (e.g., in a bouquet garni), or the leaves removed and the stems discarded. Usually, when a recipe specifies "bunch" or "sprig", it means the whole form; when it specifies spoons, it means the leaves. It is perfectly acceptable to substitute dried for whole thyme.

 

Leaves may be removed from stems either by scraping with the back of a knife, or by pulling through the fingers or tines of a fork.

 

Thyme retains its flavour on drying better than many other herbs.

In alternative medicine, thyme can be taken by mouth, applied to the skin, gargled, or inhaled. The plant contains compounds like thymol (a plant-based phenol specific to thyme) that is known to control or neutralize certain bacterial, viral, fungal, and parasitic infections.

 

Thyme is touted by proponents as a natural treatment for an almost encyclopedic array of unrelated health conditions, including:

• Acne
• Anxiety
• Arthritis
• Bad breath
• Bronchitis
• Colds
• Cold sores
• Colic
• Cough
• Dementia
• Dermatitis
• Diarrhoea
• Difficulty urinating
• Ear infections
• Flatulence
• Gingivitis
• Hair loss
• Laryngitis
• Liver dysfunction
• Menstrual cramps
• Oral thrush
• Premenstrual syndrome
• Sciatica
• Sore throat
• Tonsillitis
• Urinary tract infection
• Whooping cough

 

 

Thyme is also believed to stimulate appetite, curb inflammation, boost immune function, and repel insects. Some of these claims are better supported by research than others.

 

As with many herbal remedies, the evidence supporting thyme's medicinal effects is weak. However, there are certain conditions for which thyme or thyme oil shows definite promise.

 

As with all herbs, only consume in  small quantities as an additive. overconsumption of thyme may cause upset stomach, cramps, headaches, and dizziness.

Culinary herb, herbal, thymol, carvacrol, linalool, α-terpineol, 1,8-cineole. p-cymene, myrcene, borneol, and linalool.