Thyme is such a common herb for plenty of tasty reasons. Its most common use is in the culinary department, but thyme does have some beneficial health properties.
Thyme has a warming and dry energy. Its beneficial actions include being antimicrobial, expectorant, antispasmodic, and astringent.
Thyme’s volatile oil contains thymol. Thymol is a natural monoterpenoid and is responsible for thyme’s antimicrobial properties. Thyme’s speciality in this department is its aid in relief from bacteria involved in upper respiratory infections. Look to thyme for nasty, wet respiratory problems. Dry cough? Look elsewhere; this isn’t thyme’s cup of tea. Thyme is also an expectorant, as stated above, which also helps in secretion of sputum (fancy word for that lovely saliva and mucous mixture you cough up–yum!). The body’s way of secreting sputum is by what I like to call a meaningful cough; you’re coughing, which sucks, but that sputum that is causing such irritation and poses the threat of deeper infection is knocked out of your body.
Thyme can help as a poultice for wounds and small cuts, where exposure to bacteria is concerned.
Thyme’s antispasmodic properties can help with bloating and gas by relaxing the digestive tract, but is also helpful in the cold department because it is helpful for convulsive coughing (again, due to thyme’s antispasmodic properties).
Due to its antibacterial properties, thyme can be helpful with acne.
I often don’t use thyme by itself, but mix it with other ingredients depending on the need. It is a great addition to most tea infusions if you are suffering from a cold.
Do you use or grow thyme in the garden? Comment below if you want to share or ask questions.
If you’re curious to see what else we’re growing in the medicinal herb garden, check us out here.
Follow our blog to stay updated. We’re also on Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, and Instagram. Come check us out.
I’ve always grown Thyme because it’s one of my favorite herbs. I am really happy to know there are more uses for it than just cooking! I normally cut the stems and freeze them for use of the leaves in the winter. But as far as the medicinal purposes, do you think that freezing the thyme affects it’s integrity in that respect? I may have to find another way to store it if that would be the case!
I’ve never frozen herbs. I know thyme is one that freezes well and I can’t imagine it damaging too much, if at all. My gut feeling says if we steep it in hot water and its properties are still beneficial, freezing it–if it’s an herb that doesn’t spoil over frozen– shouldn’t harm it.