Thyme For Herbs

Thyme or Thymus ssp.

Garden Thyme =(T. vulgaris) is the cultivated form of wild thyme ( T. serpyllum ) known as " Mother of Thyme", probably because of its traditional use for menstrual disorders, wild thyme gets its Latin name from the plants serpent-like growth.

Thyme is available in many varieties but all need room to spread. Use the leaves and stems of the low growing ground cover, the leaves can be used either fresh or dried, in a large variety of dishes, some of these include meat stews and stuffing's.

You can take cutting of thyme from spring all the way through to autumn.

If you are a beekeeper or have a beehive..you are in luck. Thyme and bees just go together.

Planting thyme nearby a beehive, the herb will attract bees, giving the honey a great new taste, especially during the hot summer months. Thyme produces pale rose colored flowers in may. And honey bees are attracted to it.

Depending on your needs it is possible to have an entire herb garden planted in just one container. Herbs can be beautiful when paired with flowers in the same pot for some interesting, as well as useful effect.

If using seeds you will need to sow seeds indoors, four to six weeks before the last frost or outdoors after the danger of frost has past.

If you are using plant stem cuttings or root divisions , then the time to plant them, is also after the danger of frost has past.

Plant in a sunny location in an average, well-drained soil. Harvest the leaves sparingly for the first year and twice a year from then on out.

In the vegetable garden, Thyme is a good protection against cabbage worms and cauliflower worms.

While herbs can be very useful in repelling harmful insects, flowering herbs are also helpful in another way; they attract bees which in turn pollinate tomatoes, peppers, squash, melons, and berries.

Common Thyme :Thymus vulgaris (also known as garden thyme) Used in the garden as a ground cover, and as an ingredient in cooking and as an herbal medicine. It has grey-green leaves and clusters of purple or pink flowers in early summer,

Golden Lemon Thyme ( Thymus x citriodorus Aureus) Is a variegated variety but appears mostly yellow, with it's tiny glossy leaves on creeping wiry stems.

Caraway Thyme : (Thymus herba-barona ) It is a a creeping plant, with pink flowers and dark green hairy leaves. Flowers arrive in late spring and early summer.

When you are ready to dry your herbs, be sure to take make your cuttings on a warm and sunny day, this way the herbs are dry when they are placed in bags or containers. When making your cuts, cut the upper half to a third of the plant, this is to allow the plant to rebound at a quicker rate.

Remove all dead and dying plant material and dirt, then you will put the cuttings in to a brown paper bags to keep out of the light. Label each of the bags to identify the herb that is inside, be sure to do this step as many herbs look alike when they are dry, hang the bags in a cool dry place for several weeks. Heat can rob herbs of their nutrients, they should never be left to dry in the sunlight, and they should never be dried in an oven.

Meats, vegetable, fish and many other foods are enriched by using this savory herb. Lemon thyme is an excellent herb for seasoning fish as well as vinegars.

Fresh leaves can be picked to use immediately at anytime during the growing season. Evergreen herbs, such as thyme can be picked throughout the year.

Aerial Parts = Aerial parts are the leaves and flowers have similar actions to the cultivated garden variety, but are slightly more stimulating and effective at preventing spasms. They can also be taken for menstrual pain. Harvest before and during flowering.

INFUSION : Use for chest infections, stomach chills, or irritable bowel.

TINCTURE : Use for diarrhea associated with stomach chills or as expectorant in chest infections.

GARGLE : Use the infusion or diluted tincture for sore throats.

SYRUP : Take a syrup made from the infusion for coughs and lung infections.

Essential Oil = Essential oil is extremely antibacterial and anti fungal, the oil also stimulates the immune system. A concentrated form of the herb, it is good for respiratory and digestive problems. Several qualities of thyme oil are available commercially; all have similar actions.

CHEST RUB : Dissolve 10 drops thyme oil in 20 ml almond or sunflower oil for chest infections.

Oil : Dissolve 10 drops in 20 ml water, and apply to insect bites and infected wounds. Add 5 drops to bathwater for weakness and arthritic conditions.

Massage Oil : Dissolve 10 drops each of thyme and lavender oil in 25 ml almond or sunflower oil for rheumatic pains or strained muscles.

CAUTIONS

• Avoid therapeutic doses of thyme and thyme oil in any form during pregnancy because the herb is a uterine stimulant.
• Thyme oil can irritate the mucous membranes, so always be sure to dilute well.