The Many Uses of Thyme

Definition of thyme 1: any of a genus (Thymus) of Eurasian mints with small pungent aromatic leaves especially: a Mediterranean garden herb (T. vulgaris) 2: thyme leaves used as a seasoningMerriam-Webster This is the dictionaries version but, it does not do it justice. Thyme is so much more than just an herb; it's a powerful healer. For those of us who love natural living and Herb 'N Wisdom™, thyme is a must-have in our gardens and dried in our cupboards. For those of you, not familiar with its uses, please continue to read so you too may fall in love with this herb. Table Of ContentsThyme in FoodRaspberry-Thyme VinegarLemon Water and ThymeFoodborne BacteriaHow to Use Thyme for Medicinal PurposesThyme Cough SyrupKilling the Tiger Mosquito With ThymolThyme Oil to Treat AcneA Cleanser for the SkinA Cleanser for Oily Type SkinHair Rinse All-Purpose CleanerRepel BugsDiffusing OilThyme Repels Garden PestsIt Attracts PollinatorsUse Thyme Oil To Repel MosquitoesDIY Mosquito Repellant Camping Food Uses Thyme in Food Thyme is taken as an appetite stimulant and to flavor different foods. These foods include soups, sauces, potatoes, rice dishes, vegetables, and fresh bread. Raspberry-Thyme Vinegar This beautiful raspberry- and thyme-infused vinegar works well in vinaigrettes. Combine with walnut oil and a pinch of salt and toss with baby spinach and goat cheese for a quick salad. Or stir into a few raspberry preserves and use it as a glaze for pork tenderloin. The recipe makes enough vinegar, so you'll have extra to decant into a decorative bottle or two to give away as a simple homemade gift. Source: EatingWell Magazine, November/December 2012 Recipe Summary Total: 40 mins Servings: 1 Ingredients 6 cups white-wine vinegar3 cups fresh raspberries12 sprigs fresh thymeAdditional fresh herbs for decoration (optional) Directions Step 1- Wash 3 pint-size (2-cup) heatproof glass canning jars (or similar containers) and their lids with hot soapy water. Rinse thoroughly with hot water. Fill a large, deep pot (such as a water bath canner) about half full with water. Place the jars upright into the pot; add enough additional water to cover by 2 inches. Bring the water to a boil; boil jars for 10 minutes. Add the lids to the pot, and then remove the pot from the heat. Let the jars and lids stay in hot water as you prepare the flavoring and vinegar. (Keeping the jars warm minimizes breakage when filling with hot liquid.)Step 2- Thoroughly rinse raspberries and thyme with water. Remove the jars from the water bath with a jar lifter or tongs. Divide the raspberries and thyme among the jars. Heat vinegar in a large saucepan to a bare simmer (at least 190 degrees F). Carefully divide the vinegar among the prepared jars, leaving at least 1/4-inch of space between the top of the jar and the vinegar. Remove lids from the water bath, dry with a clean towel, and screw tightly onto the jars.Step 3- Store the jars in a cool, dark place, undisturbed, for 3 to 4 weeks. Strain vinegar through cheesecloth into another container until the vinegar looks clear. Repeat as needed until all the sediment is removed and the vinegar is clear. Discard all solids and pour the strained vinegar back into the rinsed jars or divide among sterilized decorative bottles. Decorate with a few well-rinsed fresh sprigs of thyme or raspberries, if desired. (Decorative raspberries will begin to breakdown after a few weeks in the vinegar so, remove them once they begin to lose their shape and or color.) Tips Make-Ahead Tip: Refrigerate for up to 1 year. Equipment: 3 pint-size (2-cup) glass canning jars; cheesecloth Nutrition Facts  Serving Size: 1 Tablespoon Per Serving: 3 calories; 1 mg calcium Lemon Water and Thyme Ingredients 1 lemon cut into thick slices6 sprigs of fresh thyme1 gallon of water Directions Fill your glass pitcher with 1/4 gallon of the waterNow, squeeze your lemons over the water a little releasing the juice before adding the slices.Next, bruise your thyme sprigs a little to release the oil and add them to the pitcher.Add enough ice to have a thick cover and then let steep overnight in the refrigerator.In the morning, add the remainder of the water and enough ice to have a refreshing drink.Mix and serve. Ugly germ chef Foodborne Bacteria Reports and studies show that thyme oil, even at low concentrations, is a natural preservative of food products against several common foodborne bacterias. Thyme oil and lavender oil, when observed, were effective against resistant strains of Staphylococcus, Enterococcus, Escherichia and Pseudomonas bacteria. Medical How to Use Thyme for Medicinal Purposes "Thyme is taken by mouth for bronchitis, whooping cough, sore throat, colic, arthritis, upset stomach, stomach pain (gastritis), diarrhea, bedwetting, a movement disorder in children (dyspraxia), intestinal gas (flatulence), parasitic worm infections, and skin disorders. It is also used to increase urine flow (as a diuretic), to disinfect the urine, and as an appetite stimulant. Some people apply thyme directly to the skin to act as a counterirritant, for hoarseness (laryngitis), swollen tonsils (tonsillitis), sore mouth, and bad breath. Thyme oil is used as a germ-killer in mouthwashes and liniments. It is also applied to the scalp to treat baldness and to the ears to fight bacterial and fungal infections. Thymol, one of the chemicals in thyme, is used with another chemical, chlorhexidine, as a dental varnish to prevent tooth decay. In manufacturing, red thyme oil is used in perfumes. It is also used in soaps, cosmetics, and toothpaste." -WebMD Thyme Cough Syrup By Mother Earth Living According to the German Commission E (part of the German government’s counterpart to the FDA), thyme is an approved treatment for coughs, respiratory infections, bronchitis, and whooping cough. Try this simple cough syrup to get the healing benefits of the herb. Ingredients and Directions Boil 1 cup water, remove from heat, add thyme and let sit, covered, for 15 to 20 minutes. Strain and whisk in 1/2 cup honey until combined. The cough syrup can be refrigerated in a glass jar for up to two months. Killing the Tiger Mosquito With Thymol First, what is thymol? thy·mol/ˈTHīmôl,ˈTHīˌmäl/Learn to pronounce noun CHEMISTRY a white crystalline compound present in the oil of thyme and used as a flavoring and preservative. -Dictionary What is a tiger mosquito? "The tiger mosquito is native to tropical and subtropical areas of Southeast Asia. Since the 1990s, it has spread around the world, carrying West Nile virus, Yellow fever, St. Louis encephalitis, dengue fever, and Chikungunya fever. A team at Chungbuk National University in South Korea reported that a combination of thymol, alpha-terpinene, and carvacrol was effective in killing off tiger mosquito larvae." -MedicalNewsToday Beauty- Skin, and Hair Thyme Oil to Treat Acne New research and evidence from Leeds Metropolitan University show findings that thyme oil is more effective than benzoyl peroxide when treating acne. "Researchers tested the effect of thyme, marigold and myrrh tinctures on Propionibacterium acnes -- the bacterium that causes acne by infecting skin pores and forming spots, which range from white heads through to puss-filled cysts. The group found that while all the preparations were able to kill the bacterium after five minutes of exposure, thyme was the most effective of the three. What's more, they discovered that thyme tincture had a greater antibacterial effect than standard concentrations of benzoyl peroxide -- the active ingredient in most anti-acne creams or washes." -ScienceDaily "If thyme tincture is proven to be as clinically effective as our findings suggest, it may be a natural alternative to current treatments," researcher Margarita Gomez-Escalada, PhD., says in a news release. "The problem with treatments containing benzoyl peroxide is the side effects they are associated with. A burning sensation and skin irritation are not uncommon. Herbal preparations are less harsh on the skin due to their anti-inflammatory properties, while our results suggest they can be just as, if not more, effective than chemical treatments." A Cleanser for the Skin Because of the antiseptic properties in thyme, it is an excellent cleanser for the skin. To make combine: 1/4 cup pure honey, 1/4 cup water, 1 teaspoon fresh chopped thyme and 2 tablespoons of liquid castile soap. Directions Pour all of the ingredients into a clean container. To use, massage a small amount into skin, rinse with warm water, and pat dry. This mild cleanser will yield great results. If you are looking for stronger acne treatment, I would suggest trying the thyme oil mixed with a carrier oil like jojoba, grapeseed, coconut, or olive oil. Once you've mixed, say, 15 drops thyme oil to 1/4 teaspoon carrier oil, test a small amount on your jawline or arm before rubbing it on your face. If your skin turns deep red, you could be allergic or need to change the amount of essential oil versus carrier oil. Also, please do not use this treatment on newborns or babies' acne. A Cleanser for Oily Type Skin Recipe by Laurel Vukovic Witch hazel (Hamamelis virginiana) is an inexpensive and excellent gentle astringent for oily skin. Green tea adds additional astringent and antioxidant properties; comfrey (Symphytum officinale) helps heal blemishes; and peppermint (Mentha ×piperita) and thyme fight bacteria. Distilled witch hazel extract, 1 cupDried green tea leaves, 1 teaspoonDried comfrey leaves, 1 teaspoon1 teaspoon dried peppermint leaves1 teaspoon dried thyme leaves Combine witch hazel extract and herbs in a glass jar. Stir well and cover with a tight-fitting lid. Place in a warm, dark place and allow the mixture to steep for one week....