Thymus vulgaris
Aerial parts (leaves, flowers and stems)
Anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antioxidant, antiparasitic, antispasmodic,
astringent, carminative, diaphoretic, expectorant
Thyme has been used for centuries as a treatment for anything to do with the lungs… asthma, cold, flu, congestion, you name it.
Ancient Greeks and Romans believed it gave them courage and strength on the battlefield.
Personally, if I were destined for the battlefield, I can think of a lot of things I would rather have than thyme! Full body armor, anyone?
Thyme’s medicinal properties make it extremely useful, though. Speaking of which… have you noticed that so far, all the herbs we’ve looked at have similar properties? Things like Anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial?
Thyme is a bronchodilator, meaning it opens up the airways. Perhaps if my parents had known this, I wouldn’t have spent so much time being sick with asthma as a child. Back then, there weren’t many medicines that could help.. if an attack occurred, I had to suffer through it till it passed.
Thyme is a Mediterranean herb… it prefers warm, dry weather. If it has to deal with a lot of rain and humidity without excellent drainage, it probably won’t survive.