Thyme - culinary herb and medicinal plant

Thyme is a classic among spices because of its aromatic, essential oils. But the tasty thyme is not only found in the kitchen. Many people appreciate its effect on a wide variety of ailments, but especially as an antispasmodic and expectorant in the upper respiratory tract. So if you have another cold coming on, thyme can be a natural alternative to conventional medicines!

Thyme belongs to the labiates genus, i.e. to the same family as basil, sage or rosemary. The best known are the "true thyme" and the "lemon thyme". The shoots are thin and strongly branched. The small leaves are green on top and rather grey on the underside. They are also covered with fine hairs. Thyme has many health-promoting ingredients. The amount varies depending on the origin and variety. The "real thyme" consists of 1.0 - 2.5 % essential oil, including thymol, carvacrol, geraniol, camphor and cineole.

The essential oils in thyme have the ability to loosen stuck mucus in colds by stimulating the activity of the cilia on the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract. Tough mucus is thereby liquefied and can be more easily removed or coughed up. The oils thymol and carvacrol also have anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic properties. This is why thyme is a popular active ingredient in cough preparations, pastilles, capsules, syrups and teas. Thyme also has a positive effect on asthma, as it relaxes and calms the irritated bronchial tubes. Thyme is also suitable for allergy and hay fever sufferers who have to struggle with increased mucus production.

In the case of infections of the respiratory tract organs, such as whooping cough, bronchitis or sinusitis, thyme oil inhalations have been proven to alleviate the symptoms. To obtain the thyme oil needed for this, the dried plant parts must be subjected to several hours of steam distillation. For inhalation, 3 to 4 drops of thyme oil are put into a bowl of hot water and inhaled twice a day for about 10 minutes with closed eyes under a towel. Alternatively, the oil can be drizzled onto a cloth and inhaled. In addition to thyme oil, dried thyme leaves are also suitable for inhalation (one tablespoon to one litre of hot water).

Thyme tea also has a positive effect on coughs and sore throats. To make it, pour about 250 ml of boiling water over one to two teaspoons of fresh or dried thyme leaves and let it steep for 10 minutes. Then strain the leaves and enjoy.

Since thyme has an antibacterial and antifungal effect, it is often used to treat periodontal disease, inflammation of the oral mucosa or gums. You can buy ready-made gargle solutions and thyme ointments in the shops, which can be applied directly to the inflamed areas in the mouth. However, it is also possible to gargle with home-made thyme tea. To get rid of bad breath, which is usually caused by metabolic products of bacteria, it can also help to chew a thyme stem in the mouth.

A rinsing solution for the mouth can be made with a teaspoon of fresh or dried thyme leaves, a pinch of crushed rosemary and a pinch of crushed sage. Mix the ingredients and pour 250 ml of boiling water over them. Then leave to infuse for 30 minutes and strain. Make sure to let it cool down before use. It can be used twice a day.

In addition to its essential oils, thyme contains secondary plant compounds called flavonoids. They are considered antioxidants and are said to protect against cardiovascular diseases. The antispasmodic and analgesic properties of thyme can be helpful for menstrual problems and cystitis. For digestive tract complaints, thyme oil has a digestive stimulating effect by increasing blood flow to the stomach wall and stimulating gastric juice production. Externally, thyme is used for gout, sprains, eczema and blemished skin. A tincture made from thyme can be particularly effective for acne.

Thyme is quite undemanding. Therefore, it can be grown in the garden as well as on the balcony or windowsill in a pot. The best thing to do is to buy a young thyme plant in spring and then plant it. To allow its essential oils to develop fully, thyme should be placed in a dry, sunny location. Heat, direct sunlight and longer dry periods do not bother it. The soil can be chalky and sandy. Thyme also thrives well on roadsides, on walls and in rock gardens. The "cushion thyme" forms beautiful plant carpets, but the "sand thyme" is also convincing as a ground cover. Many people grow thyme as an ornamental plant because of its fragrant pink or purple flowers. Its spicy fragrance creates a Mediterranean flair in the garden and attracts bees and moths.

Many thyme varieties are perennial and hardy. However, if you grow it in the garden, you should put some twigs or fleece on the soil in extremely cold temperatures. In spring, it can be cut back. The evergreen shoots are shortened by about a third, but without cutting into the old, woody shoots. Otherwise the shrub may not sprout again. Thyme does not need any special fertilisation, but is happy to receive an occasional dose of compost. Thyme is ready for harvesting shortly before it flowers (between May and October, depending on the variety). This can be recognised by the buds on the shrub. This is when the aroma, taste and effect of the essential oils are most intense. It is best to cut the twigs with garden tongs, individual leaves can be plucked off by hand.

With its spicy aroma, "real thyme" goes well with dishes with poultry, beef, lamb and fish. It is also suitable for adding to aubergines, courgettes, tomatoes, olives or potatoes. It has a digestive effect on fatty and heavy dishes. Fresh leaves can be crushed or chopped before eating, dried leaves can be crumbled between the hands and used like a conventional spice. The "lemon thyme" with its fruity-mediterranean tasting leaves refines in particular meat and fish dishes as well as teas.

Fresh thyme sprigs should be kept wrapped in a paper towel in the refrigerator until consumption and consumed within a week. You can also dry thyme in the summer and store it for the winter. To do this, carefully clean the twigs with the leaves in water and then hang them upside down in the sun until the moisture has escaped. Then, like all other spices, it can be stored in a dark place in an airtight jar. Thyme is also suitable for freezing.

There is a herb for the common cold: thyme! Many people know it as an ingredient in herbal medicines, because it is a pro when it comes to respiratory diseases. But it is not only highly valued as a medicinal plant but also as an ornamental plant and herb in the garden - preferably in a herb bed together with other aromatic plants such as rosemary, lavender or sage.