August Herb of the Month – Thyme
August Herb of the Month – Thyme
Thymus vulgaris – thyme
The humble common thyme is a perennial aromatic shrub that can be found in many home gardens. Thyme is flourishing in Spring and there is plenty in the Wellpark College gardens.
Medicinally, we use the whole herb which is best harvested just before or at the time of flowering. With a wide array of medicinal benefits, this herb is wonderful to plant plentiful in your home garden. It is high in flavonoids, phenolic acids and essential oils including monoterpenes thymol, carvacrol, linalool and camphor. The presence of these plant chemicals give thyme a range of medicinal actions and it has been used traditionally for centuries around the world (Fisher, 2018; Grieves, 2021).
Due to thyme’s high essential oil content, it is beneficial for conditions of the upper respiratory tract including common colds and sore throats (Fisher, 2018). A delicious way to incorporate this healing her into your everyday life is to make a soothing medicinal honey from thyme and garlic:
Thyme and garlic mel
Ingredients
Large handful of thyme leaves and stems
5 large cloves of garlic
At least 250g of honey
Sterilised jar and lid
Method
Sterilise jar by placing in 180C oven for 10 minutes and boiling the lid in water for 10 minutes
Mindfully collect your herbs
Finely chop garlic
Place all ingredients, including the honey into a bowl and mix well
Cover and let sit for 24 hours
Strain the plant matter out of the honey with a fine sieve or muslin cloth
Place into a sterilised jar and keep refrigerated
Consume up to 1 teaspoons three times a day to soothe sore throats
Find out more about the Bachelor of Naturopathy and Herbal Medicine
References
Fisher, C. (2018). Materia medica of Western herbs. London, England: Aeon Books Ltd.
Grieves, M. (2021). Thyme, garden. Retrieved from https://www.botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/t/thygar16.html
By Patrice Kelly – Naturopath and Wellpark College Tutor
BNHM I Dip Nut I Dip W&RM
Please consult a qualified naturopath before using Herbal Medicine if you are pregnant or have serious health concerns.
