Thyme
Everyone could use a little more time and a lot more thyme! This familiar herb is a member of the mint family (Lamiaceae), and its savoury leaves have been used in cooking and in medicine for centuries. An old adage in culinary circles is “When in doubt, use thyme.” The preservative properties of thyme were discovered by the ancient Egyptians, who used it to embalm the dead. Later the Greeks burned it in temples to disseminate an aroma they believed would deliver strength and courage to soldiers. Today it’s on every cook’s top 10 list and remains popular as a natural remedy.
Health Benefits
Thyme has been used medicinally for thousands of years. It was recognized for its antiseptic properties long before science understood what really caused infections. It was also used as a treatment for coughs and spasms, though these uses are less common today.
The plant’s most important ingredient is thymol, a compound that has a powerful ability to kill germs such as bacteria and fungi. Thymol is found in other herbs, such as basil and oregano, but no plant has higher concentrations than thyme.
Thymol is a popular ingredient in antiseptic mouthwashes, and its antimicrobial abilities have also been harnessed to manage skin conditions such as acne and foot fungus. Some research suggests it may help with other dental hygiene issues, including reducing plaque formation, gingivitis, and cavities.
DIFFICULTY
Easy
HARDINESS
Perennial in zones 5 and above (depends on variety)
TIME TO PLANT
Spring or fall
TIME TO HARVEST
Summer through fall
LOCATION
Full sun
SOIL TYPE
Well-drained (tolerates poor soil)
Growing
You don’t need much time when growing thyme! This low-maintenance perennial enjoys tough conditions: It not only survives in poor soils, but has been known to thrive even in rocky conditions. (Good drainage is a must, however.) In the herb garden, thyme adds fragrance, flavour, and dainty flowers ranging from white to pink to purple. Trailing varieties of thyme can even be found flowing over the edges of mixed containers. Other varieties are used as ground cover, or even as a pathway plant growing between flagstones or patio stones, offering a sweet fragrance when stepped on.
Common Varieties: Thymus vulgaris, or common thyme, is most often used for cooking and medicinal purposes. Other useful garden species include lemon thyme (T. citriodorus) (right), wild thyme (T. serphyllum), woolly thyme (T. pseudolanuginosus), and mother of thyme or creeping thyme (T. praecox).
PLANT
Some varieties of thyme can be propagated by seed or cuttings, but I recommend purchasing transplants. They’re generally inexpensive and easy to find, and many are now grown organically. For die-hards, thyme can be sown directly in the garden in spring or fall, or started indoors 8 to 10 weeks before last frost date. The seeds require only a light covering. Remember to mark seeded areas: A common mistake is digging them up just before or after germinating, mistaking them for weeds!
Plant transplants in spring after the risk of frost, choosing a sunny location with well-drained soil. (Thyme can tolerate partial shade, but full sun is preferable.) Water deeply and infrequently until established, reducing the frequency of watering as the season progresses.
Thinking about planting a large area with thyme? Don’t. Except for variegated cultivars (which are propagated by cutting), most thyme varieties produce a lot of seed and self-sow naturally every year, meaning they spread by themselves. In fact, you may need to tame the spread throughout the growing season to prevent it from migrating into unwanted locations.
GROW
Thyme doesn’t like to be overwatered or fertilized too often. In a container, overwatering is the number 1 reason for failure. Make sure drainage is good and sunshine is plentiful.
If thyme is struggling, it may be that you’re treating it too well! I find thyme thrives more in the ornamental garden, where the soil conditions are not as rich as they are in the vegetable garden.
Thyme should be pruned vigorously twice during the season. Prune at least half the overall plant immediately after flowering and again a month prior to hard frost in fall. This “hard pruning” will improve the health of the plant.
Thyme is resistant to disease, insects, and rodents.
In areas with harsh winters, place boughs of evergreens over your crop before snowfall to add insulation.
HARVEST
Thyme can be harvested any time, but its flavour is most intense when the plant is just beginning to flower. Harvest mid-morning after the dew has dried using scissors, cutting a third to half the length of the stems.
STORE
Thyme can be used fresh or dried. To dry, tie the stems in small bundles, place in paper bags, and hang in a dark, dry place for about 2 weeks (see “Drying Herbs at Home” on page 365). You can also dry thyme in a dehydrator or on a baking sheet in an oven set to the lowest possible temperature. Bake for 1 hour, then turn the oven off but leave the thyme in overnight or at least until the oven has totally cooled. Once the herb is dried, carefully remove the leaves from stems, place in an airtight container, and store in a cool, dark place until needed.
Put It to Work
Upper respiratory infection? Thyme for honey!
Thyme honey is a popular product in Greece. The abundance of wild thyme in that country makes it the perfect source for bees that feast on the nectar and pollen of its tiny purple flowers. The essential oils of the thyme pass from the buds to the bees and end up in the honey. This process may or may not fortify the honey enough to give you a benefit during an upper respiratory infection. However, to up the concentration, you can further infuse the honey with dried thyme, which has antibacterial and cough suppressive effects.
Place ½ cup of dried thyme in a resealable glass jar (like a Mason jar) and pour in 1 cup of honey. (Be very careful that your thyme is fully dry to avoid any moisture getting into the honey and causing contamination.) Set aside for at least 1 week. If the herbs float to the top, turn the jar over a few times to keep them well coated.
After a week, use a fine-mesh sieve to strain the infused honey into a sterile jar with a tight-fitting lid.
Whenever you have a cough, use 1 teaspoon of this honey 3 to 4 times daily as needed. Or boil a cup of water, squeeze half a lemon into it, add 1 tablespoon of thyme honey, and drink. The honey will keep indefinitely stored in a cool, dry place.
Bad acne? Tone with thyme!
Crush a handful of dried thyme and place in a resealable glass jar (like a Mason jar). Pour in enough witch hazel to cover it and fill the jar. Seal the jar, shake well, and set aside for 3 days in a cool, dark place (the witch hazel will look like a brown tea).
Cover the mouth of the jar with a coffee filter and strain the liquid into a sterile jar with a tight-fitting lid (discard solids).
Wash your face with soap and water. Using a cotton ball or swab, apply liberally to affected areas twice daily, in the morning and before bed. The toner will keep in a cool, dark place for up to 1 month.
Foot fungus? It’s baththyme!
Fill a resealable glass jar (like a Mason jar) to the top with dried thyme leaves. Add enough vodka (at least 80 proof) to fill it to the brim. Place wax paper over the jar and then screw the lid on tightly to seal it. Shake vigorously. Set aside in a cool, dark place for at least 2 weeks, shaking the jar once daily.
To use, pour 4 to 5 cups of hot water into a large bowl or foot tub, add 4 ounces of the thyme alcohol tincture, and stir. Soak feet every night before bed for 1 month. The infusion will keep in a cool, dark place for at least a year.
Fast Forward
Fast forward to the health food store to purchase Eclectic Institute’s thyme tincture or equivalent. Follow the instructions on the label.
Cautions
Do not ingest the essential oil of thyme—it can be toxic and may cause nausea and breathing problems.
Avoid thyme supplements if you have diabetes or low blood sugar, a bleeding disorder, blood pressure irregularity, or take drugs, herbs, or supplements for these conditions. Also avoid if you have a thyroid disorder, hormonal disorder, or are at risk for hormone imbalance. Use cautiously if you suffer from gastrointestinal irritation or peptic ulcer disease.
Avoid thyme supplements if you are pregnant or have a known allergy or hypersensitivity to members of the mint family (Lamiaceae) or to rosemary. Avoid topical use where the skin is broken.