Wonder Plant #011 - Thyme (Thymus Vulgaris & Thymus Serpyllum), an effective and tasty antiseptic

* Remember to always consult a doctor if you plan to medicate with natural plants. 

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Wonder Plant #011 - Thyme (Thymus Vulgaris & Thymus Serpyllum), an effective and tasty antiseptic

                                         

Recipes in Useful Links section.

Also called Garden Thyme, Thymus Vulgaris is a plant cultivated as a fine herb, but also as a natural medicine. It grows up to 10 inches tall and blooms from May to September. Thymus Serpyllum is also named Mother of Thyme, Creeping Thyme and Mountain Thyme. The latter is usually smaller than Garden Thyme, at only 2-3 inches high in the wild. Thyme's Greek name thymon is derived from the Greek word meaning "to fumigate". In the medieval ages, pillows filled with tyme were used for people afflicted with melancholia and/or epilepsy. There are also legends that speak of fairies dancing in thyme gardens.

As suggested by @noborders: Thyme is called Kakukkfű in Hungarian! 

As suggested by @ewkaw:  Portuguese Thyme (Thymus Carnosus) can be found on dunes near the ocean. It has very small leaves and looks like this:

                                           

Properties and uses: 

• Thymus Vulgaris:
  • Antiseptic
  • Anthelmintic
  • Antispasmodic
  • Carminative
  • Diaphoretic
  • Expectorant
  • Sedative
  • Soothes throat and bronchial problems, laryngitis and coughing
  • Helps with diarrhea, chronic gastritis, lack of appetite
  • Promotes perspiration
  • Mouthwash and toothpaste

• Thymus Serpyllum:
  • Antispasmodic
  • Carminative
  • Expectorant
  • Rubefacient
  • Tonic
  • For gastrointestinal problems
  • Alcoholic extracts are used for tumors, stab wounds, bruises and rheumatism

Preparation and dosage: 

• Infusion: Steep 1/2 tsp. of fresh herbs or 1 tsp. dried herb in 1/2 cup water for 3-5 minutes. Use 1 cup a day.
• Oil: Use 2-3 drops on a sugar cube, up to 3 times a day.
• Tincture and Extracts: 10-20 drops, 3 times a day.     

      

Useful links:

• University of Illinois Extension
• Dalhousie University - Faculty of Agriculture
• University of Maryland  Extension
• Antimicrobial Activity of Thyme Oil - NCBI
• Cooking - Allrecipes.com
• Cooking - BBC Food
• Cooking - Cookinglight.com

Sources:

• All definitions were taken for the Merriam Webster website: https://www.merriam-webster.com
• Prevention Magazine Health Books. Complete Book of Medicinal Cures. 1994. Berkley Health Reference. 376.
• Lust, John. The Herb Book. 1974. Bantham Books. p. 378.

Pictures (in order of appearance):

• fresh-square.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/thyme2.jpg
• farm2.static.flickr.com/1659/26592408416_38e2c8fe24.jpg
• img0.etsystatic.com/103/0/7575002/il_fullxfull.836989422_ozbx.jpg

Edits:

• Hungarian name as suggested by @noborders
• Thymus Carnosus as suggested by @ewkaw