Thyme has been  used for centuries, traditionally it is used to flavor stews and is mixed in with roasted vegetables. Thyme  is a widely used and an extremely popular herb. It is easy to obtain and relatively inexpensive to purchase fresh or dried. This wonderfully fragrant herb has many uses in the kitchen, but its medicinal use cannot be ignored.

Derived from the Greek word meaning courage, it is said that Roman soldiers took thyme baths to energize and prepare for battle. Conversely, women would sew sprigs of thyme into the vests of their knights as good luck tokens. More notably, the Egyptians used it as embalming fluid. It stands to reason since thyme is known to be both a preservative and an antifungal agent. Thyme also has antiseptic qualities. Surely one time or another it has been used as a tea bag and placed on the eyes to cure sties, and aid in treating pink eye or conjunctivitis.

Externally applied, thyme has been used to help treat tumors, dental decay, plaque, thrush, tonsillitis, halitosis, deep wounds, and bruises. It is said to be effective for destroying skin parasites, such as scabies, crabs and lice.   Studies have shown that the innate qualities in thyme destroy many forms of fungus and bacteria. As a tea, thyme has beneficial results in gastrointestinal problems. In addition, it can relieve both hangovers and act as a digestive aid or tonic.

This herb is extremely  helpful to women, because of its antispasmodic qualities, it offers relief from cramps associated with monthly periods. This herb is said to be effective in the treatment of chest infections for which phlegm can be expelled from the lungs.  It has been used effectively for sore throats, coughs, croup, whooping cough, acute bronchitis, laryngitis and asthma.

Thyme oil It is also considered an excellent expectorant.  It is said to relax the muscle of the stomach, relieving a variety of stomach upsets. Thyme is also used to alleviate chronic gastritis, lack of appetite, indigestion, irritable bowel and colic.  As a tonic, thyme is believed to stimulate the nervous system, alleviating such nervous disorders as depression, nightmares, nervous exhaustion, and insomnia.

We need more time to extol the many healthy benefits of thyme