Thyme, thymus
It retains its flavour well in long slow cooking.
The leaves can be used either fresh or dried. If the leaves are to be dried, the plants should be harvested in early and late summer just before the flowers open and the leaves should be dried quickly.
An aromatic tea is made from the fresh or dried leaves. Pungent and spicy.
Common thyme has a very long history of folk use for a wide range of ailments. It is very rich in essential oils and these are the active ingredients responsible for most of the medicinal properties. In particular, thyme is valued for its antiseptic and antioxidant properties, it is an excellent tonic and is used in treating respiratory diseases and a variety of other ailments.
The plant is used internally in the treatment of dry coughs, whooping cough, bronchitis, bronchial catarrh, asthma, indigestion and diarrhoea.
It should not be prescribed for pregnant women.
Externally, it is used in the treatment of tonsillitis, gum diseases, rheumatism, arthritis and fungal infections.
The plant can be used fresh at any time of the year, or it can be harvested as it comes into flower and either be distilled for the oil or dried for later use.
Thyme has an antioxidant effect, thus regular use of this herb improves the health and longevity of individual body cells and therefore prolongs the life of the body.
The essential oil is strongly antiseptic.
The whole herb is used in the treatment of digestive disorders, sore throats, fevers etc.
An essential oil from the leaves is frequently used in perfumery, soaps, toothpastes, mouthwashes, medicinally etc. It has fungicidal properties and is also used to prevent mildew.
The plant makes an attractive ground cover for a sunny position. Plants are best spaced about 30cm apart each way. There are many varieties of thyme, from common, to creeping, lemon and orange. All of these can be used for ground cover.
The dried flowers are used to repel moths from clothing whilst the growing plant is said to repel cabbage root fly.