Thyme
If you are like me, you have heard of thyme enough to be familiar with it, maybe even used it in recipes or grown it as an herb, but never really looked into its healing properties.
In my use and research with thyme for Raindrop Technique and personal use for me and my family, I was stunned to learn the vast array of therapeutic benefits of thyme and just how much it can help our bodies. I have since added it to my “Keep In Stock” list, ER Prep kit, and offer it in my Shop as part of the Raindrop roller blend.
Thymol, the main element of Thyme’s volatile oil is a primary active ingredient in LIsterine Antiseptic, which is made with essential the same formula today as when it was originally formulated by Joseph Lister in 1874. Lister used Thyme and Eucalyptus disinfectants to revolutionize the practice of surgery by providing a sterile field and an antiseptic environment for surgery, a radical concept in its time.
Read on to learn more and see what power you may have had in your hands or pantry that you never knew!
Thymus vulgaris CT thymol
Botanical Family: Lamiaceae or Labiatae (mint)
Plant Origin: Utah, Idaho, France
Parts Used: Flowering tops, fresh or dried; essential oil
Primary Constituents: Volatile oil, of highly variable composition, the major constituent is thymol, with lesser amounts of carvacrol, with 1, 8-cineole, Borneo, geraniol, linilool, borne and lineally acetate, thymol methyl ether and a-pinene; Flavanoids, apigenin, luteolin, thymonin, naringenin and others; labiatic acid, caffein acid, tannins etc.
Action: Highly antimicrobial, anti fungal, anti-viral, uterine tonic, cardio tonic, aromatic, carminative, antiseptic, antispasmodic, expectorant, anti-jussive, astringent, anthelmintic, antioxidant, preservative
Traditional Uses: Thyme has been used for respiratory problems, digestive complaints, the prevention and treatment of infection, gastritis, bronchitis, pertussis, asthma, laryngitis, and tonsillitis. The Egyptians used Thyme for embalming.
Indications: Asthma, bronchitis, colitis, cystitis, dermatitis, anthrax, fatigue (general), pleurisy, psoriasis, sciatica, tuberculosis, vaginal candida
Other Uses: General tonic for nerves and stomach; May also help with bacterial infections, respiratory infections, circulation, depression, digestion, headaches, insomnia, rheumatism, urinary infections, and viruses along the spine.
Modern Uses: Modern herbalists value Thyme for its expectorant and antibacterial properties, and it is frequently used in preparations to support and protect the respiratory system. The essential oil is used for an effective disinfectant and natural preservative that is used in many skin preparations, not only for its therapeutic effect, but to protect the product itself from microbial contamination and spoilage. Recent studies have validated many of Thyme’s broad range of actions, and have even recognized potent antioxidant properties that have anti-aging implications
Body Systems Affected: Lungs, Throat, Stomach, Intestines, Skin
As Essential Oils
Extraction Method: Steam distilled from leaves, stems, and flowers
ORAC: 159,590
Application: Apply topically diluted with a vegetable oil or massage oil
Fragrant Influence: May be beneficial for helping to overcome fatigue and exhaustion after illness.
Now that you know more about what Thyme can do, consider growing this as part of your herb garden, adding the fresh leaves to as many dishes as you can, keeping the dried leaves in stock, utilizing as an essential oil, or all of the above.
If you are just getting started and are looking for convenience and ease, you may want to grab your own Raindrop roller that I have already prepared with Thyme and many other oils with similar benefits and properties with a carrier oil and specifically chosen crystals for maximum ease and effectiveness. You can get that in my shop here.
I’d love to hear what you learned about Thyme! I was amazed that it was used as a natural preservative.
Until next time,
~ Crystal