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History of Thyme Natural Herb - Medicinal Benefits of its Essential Oil
Thyme herb is a perennial shrub, which belongs
to the Labiatae family of shrubs that grows up to 15 cm to 30 cm in height.
Thyme has dark lilac flowers and tiny green leaves. The leaves of thymus
citriodorus variety are wide and have a lemon scent and that is why this
variety is also called lemon thyme. Before the invention of refrigerator,
amazing essential oil concentration of thyme was used for preserving food due
to its purification and preservative qualities. The Romans used thyme essential
oil in their bathrooms for its stimulating qualities. Romans also used thyme in
their kitchens with wine and cheese. In the middle ages, ladies used to give
thyme to the knights to protect them in battle, as it was a symbol of courage
for them. The scientific name of thyme is thymus vulgaris, which has been known
since ancient times as a culinary and medicinal herb and has been used in
natural and alternative medicine since that time period. According to
aromatherapy, the aroma of thyme is pervasive, persistent, and strong. Thyme
has powerful disinfectant and bactericidal effects, which are helpful in
preventing infections and it has been used as a herbal remedy for many other
ailments mentioned below due to its medicinal benefits. Also, thyme is called banajwain in Hindi.
Symbolism of Thymus Vulgaris - History of Thyme Natural Herb
The word “thymus” is derived from Egyptian word “tham” which means strong smelling and Egyptians used thyme in embalming. Thyme was then used later by Greeks who used to call it a fragrant plant. Thyme was then translated into Latin by Virgil, the famous poet and beekeeper. He used this name for the first time in his poetic works. In natural medicine, thyme has been recognized for its miraculous medicinal benefits in patients suffering from lung disorders. Also, Galen, the Greek physician and philosopher, advised the use of thyme for people suffering from joint disorders. He also considered thyme as the most powerful antiseptic ever known.
Origin of Thyme Natural Herb
Botanical historians have contradictory proofs of origin of thyme. The exact time of thyme existence is unknown. Some historians believe it was the Romans who introduced thyme in England and on the other hand, some say that thyme began to get popular from North of the Alps between 850 and 1250. In 16th century, thyme was cultivated everywhere in the world. The famous German chemist, Neumann, was the first person who extracted the essential oil of thyme in year 1725. This powerful antiseptic herb is still used nowadays in various pharmaceutical and cosmetic preparations and natural and alternitive medicine.
Extraction of Thyme Essential Oil
Thyme essential oil is extracted by distillation of its parts to get 2 volatile essences, one is red which is the purest form of thyme essential oil and another one is of a whitish color.
Medicinal Benefits of Thyme Essential Oil
- The essential oil of thyme has antiseptic and antibacterial properties.
- Inhalation of thyme oil has expectorant effect, which makes it ideal in treatment of colds and flu of the bronchial origin
- Thyme essential oil massage tones the skin.
- Thyme essential oil inhalation stimulates appetite.
- Thyme is an anti-fungal herb.
- Medicinal use of thyme essential oil helps the body's immune system.
- Medicinal thyme oil treats urine infections and nocturnal enuresis in children.
- Thyme stimulates, energizes, and tones body, strengthens the defense system, cleanses and purifies mind.
A video on how to grow thyme herb in your garden
I am writing for 60dc HubChallenge plus the usual 30 hubs in 30 days
Comments
I like the smell of thyme leaf. From where did I get the seed or stem to cultivate? I am from thiruvananthapuram, kerala. Can you help me?
my e-mail ID is saleeenam2010@gmail.com
- Author
@prairiprincess, Tuesdays child, and earthbound1974, thank you so much for your valuable comments inspiring me to write more on natural healing herbs like thyme.
Art and Garfunkel mentioned almost all famous herbs in their song.I'm glad you featured Thyme and its medicinal properties. I've learned a lot! Thank you so much!
Thank you for the great information. I didn't realize thyme was so useful! I voted this article up!!
Wow, such good information! Thyme is my very favourite spice; I use it in almost everything I cook. However, I had no idea that it was so healthy. I have used it in a steam bath for a cold, but did not know about all the other benefits! Love learning about new health information. Great hub! Rated up, awesome and useful.
- Author
Thank you so much Daria369 for sharing your personal experience with growing and using thyme in inhalation.
What an incredible source of information, thank you!! I grow thyme myself and enjoy it very much. Every time I walk by this seemingly insignificant plant, I snip off some tiny leafs, squish them between my fingers and inhale. I couldn't describe what exactly that makes me feel like but I sure love it... :)
- Author
Thank you so much psychicdog.net. I have a lot more hubs on herbs to publish this month.
Enjoyable read...thyme does have a lovely smell - Soni, you are becoming the spice expert!
- Author
Thanks a lot Karen and Jayjay for your comments. Yes, there is no doubt thyme can treat staph infections as it has antiinflammatory and antibactericidal properties which help in treatment of infection. Regarding, therapeutic grade thyme oil it is not really difficult to find one. First of all we have to locate a therapeutic grade essential oil seller and then we can proceed with finding thyme oil TG.
Thyme is such a lovely smell to just inhale, I find it very calming
Yes, thyme essential oils must be very strong. I just wrote an article (not here) on the new discovery that it effectively cures staph infections. More people die in America, each year, from staph than any other infection. Although, the research says it must be theraputic grade thyme essential oils. I'm not sure where you find that.
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