Thyme

Another member of the Mint Family, Thyme's properties overlap with Evergreens, like Rosemary.  Thyme is a bit more versatile than Rosemary, and another close cousin, Oregano.

Music composed and performed by V. Karaitis

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Hey!  Thanks for listening!  I’m Chris Wagenti, and this is Who Gets It, Naturally.  Music was composed and performed by V. Karaitis.  I’m not selling anything, diagnosing anything; offering any cures or replacing your doctor.  I’m just sharing my passion for natural products.  If you’re pregnant, please consult your doctor before trying anything new.  Everyone is different so you may need to tweak the recipes a bit to work for you.  Always start with the least amount of essential oils…you can always add, you can’t take away.  Remember, these remedies don’t last forever, you need to reapply as needed.  If you are allergic to any of the ingredients I use, please substitute for something you’re not allergic to.  Just because it’s natural doesn’t mean you can’t be allergic to it.

Today I want to talk about Thyme. Not like 5:00 pm Central Time, the herb, Thyme, T-H-Y-M-E.  Like Rosemary, Thyme is an Evergreen shrub in the Mint Family.  It is very closely related to Rosemary, which I discussed in Season 4 Episode 4 and Oregano, discussed in Season 3 Episode 20.  The major compounds for Oregano and Thyme are Carvacrol and Thymol.  To refresh, high amounts of Carvacrol and Thymol offer antifungal, anti-oxidant and antibacterial properties…and it’s an insect repellent!  Thyme also contains nutrients such as potassium, magnesium and Vitamins A and C.

According to this Pub Med article found at pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35631245/, QUOTE: “…thyme is considered an important wild edible plant studied for centuries for its unique importance in the food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industry. Thyme is loaded with phytonutrients, minerals and vitamins. It is pungent in taste, yet rich in moisture, proteins, crude fiber, minerals and vitamins. Its chemical composition may vary with geographical location but is mainly composed of flavonoids and antioxidants. Previous studies have illustrated the therapeutic effects of thyme and its essential oils, especially thymol and carvacrol, against various diseases. This is attributed to its multi-pharmacological properties that include, but are not limited to, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antineoplastic actions. Moreover, thyme has long been known for its antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal, and antiseptic activities, in addition to remarkable disruption of microbial biofilms. In the COVID-19 era, some thyme constituents were investigated for their potential in viral binding. As such, thyme presents a wide range of functional possibilities in food, drugs, and other fields and prominent interest as a nutraceutical.” END QUOTE

It's native to southern Europe.  There are several strains of Thyme, the most popular is known as Thyme, Common Thyme and Garden Thyme, and is grown all over the world.  Spanish Thyme is primarily grown in Spain, Portugal and Morocco.  Wild Thyme and Breckland Thyme are mostly grown in Europe and North Africa.

Ancient Greeks and Romans used Thyme as an antiseptic.  Thyme oils were used to treat oral abscesses and inflammation.  Roman soldiers bathed in Thyme to become courageous.  Ancient Egyptians used Thyme in their embalming process.  Ancient Greeks burned Thyme as incense in their temples.  Hippocrates used Thyme for respiratory illnesses.  Benedictine is a French liqueur said to have health benefits.  The recipe is said to include 27 different herbs, one of which is Thyme.  Cocktails made with Benedictine include a Singapore Sling, and probably the most notable, B&B, which is Benedictine and Brandy.  It can prevent foodborne bacterial and fungi infections in food; it’s an anti-tumor, anti-spasmodic, anti-microbial.  

Thyme isn’t exactly a common spice in everyone’s kitchen, like salt and pepper, Oregano and Parsley, but it should be.  According to the McCormick Science Institute…yes, the spice company…found at www.mccormickscienceinstitute.com/resources/culinary-spices/herbs-spices/thyme, QUOTE: “Because of its unique aroma, this spice is often added to baked goods, stews, meats, garden salads, poultry stuffings, seafood, egg dishes, and marinades of chicken and fish. It also adds flavor to a variety of vegetable preparations, such as beans, onions, potatoes, and carrots. In many European cuisines, thyme is a valued culinary addition, especially in Southern Europe. In France, bouquet garni (pictured below) are made up of fresh branches of thyme tied together with other fresh herbs (such as rosemary, parsley, and bay leaf) and are added to soups, sauces and stews, being removed before serving. Dried thyme is also part of herbs de Provence, a spice blend from Southern France.

In the Middle East, thyme is an important component of the seasonings zahtar (combination of sumac, sesame, salt, and herbs) and dukka (an Egyptian nut, seed and spice blend).  

In the Americas, the Creole cuisine of New Orleans is known for its extensive use of thyme. A cooking technique peculiar to Creole cooking is “blackening” in which meat or fish fillets are dipped into molten butter, then coated with a spice mix (containing thyme, red pepper, oregano, salt, garlic and onion powder) and finally fried very quickly at high temperature in a heavy skillet. Thyme is also a key component of Jamaican jerk seasoning, which can also contain allspice, Scotch bonnet peppers, cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg, garlic, brown sugar, ginger, and salt.”  END QUOTE

I had to pick up some dried Thyme for a soup recipe I tried.  I started using it in different dishes, like, on potatoes – peel, slice, and coat with a mixture of Olive Oil, Garlic Powder, dried Basil, dried Thyme, chopped Onion, place on a stone or cookie sheet and bake at 375 degrees for about 35 minutes.  YUMMY!!  The McCormick site also offers some cooking tips.  QUOTE: “Thyme is one of the spice rack’s most versatile herbs and goes great with vegetables, seafood, and poultry.  Unlike many herbs, dried thyme retains much of the flavor of fresh and is a suitable substitution. As a general rule, 1 tsp. dried thyme leaves = 1 tbsp. chopped fresh thyme. As with most dried herbs, it should be added toward the beginning of the recipe to allow time for its flavor to infuse the dish.

If a recipe calls for a "sprig" of thyme, fresh thyme is preferable and the leaves and stem should be kept intact. The leaves usually fall off during cooking and the woody stem can be removed prior to serving. Fresh thyme is unique among fresh herbs in that it withstands and benefits from long cooking times to slowly infuse its flavor into the dish.  Sprigs of fresh thyme also make an attractive garnish in finished dishes.”  END QUOTE  

You can search “cooking with thyme” for more suggestions and ideas.  You can also make tea with it!  Break out the tea balls, add some fresh Thyme and steep in hot water for 5 minutes.  

Like with other herbs, store fresh Thyme in the fridge wrapped in a damp paper towel inside a plastic bag.  It should stay fresh for about two weeks.  For longer storage, place fresh Thyme in an ice cube tray, fill with filtered water and freeze.  To use, melt the ice!  Dried Thyme should be kept in a glass jar with a tight-fitting lid in a cool dark spot.  

Thyme Essential Oil has a wide range of benefits.  According to Dr. Axe, article can be found at www.draxe.com/essential-oils/thyme-oil/, QUOTE:  “Thyme oil is one of the strongest antioxidant oils around, and it has been used as a medicinal herb since ancient times because it supports the immune, respiratory, digestive, nervous and other body systems.

Due to the herb’s essential oils, it has a number of health benefits. In fact, these benefits have been recognized across the Mediterranean for thousands of years.

Thyme oil is antiseptic, antibacterial, antispasmodic, hypertensive and has calming properties.

It’s one of the best essential oils for hormones because it helps balance hormone levels — aiding women with menstrual and menopausal symptoms. It also protects the body from dangerous diseases and ailments, such as stroke, arthritis, fungal and bacterial infections, and skin conditions.” END QUOTE 

Most of the major constituents of Thyme Essential Oil should sound familiar…alpha-pinene, beta-pinene, linalool, borneol, thymol and carvacrol, to name a few.  The Dr. Axe article also states, QUOTE:  “Thyme essential oil contains 20 percent to 54 percent thymol, which gives thyme oil its antiseptic properties. For this reason, thyme oil is commonly used in mouthwashes and toothpastes. It effectively kills germs and infections in the mouth and protects the teeth from plaque and decay.

Thymol also kills fungi and is commercially added to hand sanitizers and antifungal creams.

The oldest Egyptian medical text, called Ebers Papyrus, dates back to 1550 B.C., and it records the healing values of thyme. The ancient Egyptians used thyme for embalming, and the ancient Greeks used it in their baths and temples. They believed that it brought on feelings of courageousness.

In the European Middle Ages, thyme was placed beneath pillows to aid sleep and ward off nightmares. The herb was also laid on coffins during funerals because it was believed that it provided a safe passage to the next life.” END QUOTE

The PubMed article found at https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7571078/ explores therapeutic applications of Thymol and Thyme Essential Oil.  Part of the Abstract states, QUOTE:  “Both thymol and thyme essential oil have long been used in traditional medicine as expectorant, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antibacterial, and antiseptic agents, mainly in the treatment of the upper respiratory system. The current search for new directions of biological or therapeutic activities of natural plant substances with known structures includes thyme essential oil and thymol. Novel studies have demonstrated their antibiofilm, antifungal, antileishmanial, antiviral, and anticancer properties. Also, their new therapeutic formulations, such as nanocapsules containing these constituents, can be beneficial in medicinal practice and create opportunities for their extensive use. Extensive application of thymol and thyme essential oil in the healthcare sector is very promising but requires further research and analysis.”  END QUOTE

Thyme Essential Oil packs a powerful punch!  It helps relieve respiratory conditions; kills bacteria and infections; is good for the skin; protects teeth and gums; is a bug repellent; aids circulation; eases stress and anxiety; balances hormones; treats fibroids; relieves gas and other gastrointestinal issues; is a diuretic; boosts memory and concentration; reduces cellulite; helps prevent hair loss and improves vision.

With this much versatility, you can use Thyme Essential Oil as a substitute in so many different recipes I’ve shared: bug spray; itch relief/hand sanitizer; skin and hair care, toothpaste. You can add it to a foot bath to kill toe fungus; add some to a humidifier or vaporizer to clear congestion and increase circulation.  Generally, Thyme is safe.  You can be allergic to it.  Thyme can slow blood clotting, which can increase bleeding.  If you do have any blood issues, like Von Willebrand’s, you shouldn’t use Thyme Essential Oil.  The small amounts of the herb used in cooking should be ok.  If you’re scheduled for surgery, you should stop using Thyme Essential Oil at least 2 weeks prior.  Thyme can also act like estrogen in the body.  If you have any condition that can be made worse by excess estrogen, consider using something else.  If you have any condition that falls into any of these categories, check with your health care provider before using Thyme Essential Oil.

For pets, Common Thyme is generally non-toxic to animals.  Like with humans, there is such a thing as too much.  Used in moderation, it’s safe for pets…dogs, cats, horses, and so on.  However, Thyme Essential Oil can be toxic to pets.  Remember, essential oils are much more potent than the herbs, and an animal’s sense of smell far greater than a human’s.  

As always, if you have any questions or suggestions, please feel free to email me at vobyjypsee@usa.com, or send a text from the podcast.  You can follow me on X and Instagram … @vobyjypsee; or LinkedIn…search either Chris Wagenti, Who Gets It, Naturally or Voice Overs by Jypsee.  Please download this episode, and make Who Gets It, Naturally a favorite on your preferred channel so you don’t miss an episode.

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