For ancient Rome, thyme was believed to “promote vigor” and was used in their baths or spas. In Europe, singers even today, follow the tradition of gargling with thyme, marjoram and honey tea to preserve their voices.
Thyme along with sage and marjoram are recommended to use as a gargle; to relieve laryngitis, tonsillitis, clogged sinus and lung congestion.
In females, a hormone like substance prostaglandin (PG2) increases and can cause the dreaded “monthly cramps”. But thyme, along with ginger, or cloves can be most beneficial for these symptoms. Try taking thyme a week before menstruation starts to decrease the pain of the cramps. Also avoid fried foods and baked goods because hydrogenated oils also increase PG2.
Thyme contains a very powerful antiseptic called “thymol”, this is the reason it is so successful as an antibacterial and anti-inflammatory. Thymol is great for the gums, tooth decay, mucous membranes and helps prevent bacterial growth. It is also used in Listerine! German research has found that thymol can also stop herpes simplex virus from replicating.
Thyme oil is effective against bacteria that are becoming resistant to antibiotics; particularly the “flesh eating” bacteria; Staphylococcus aureus or MRSA. Also, researchers at University of Illinois have shown that thyme contains 40 cancer preventing substances.
In ancient Egypt, embalmers used thyme to ready mummies for their heavenly journey. In Greece, lambs were encouraged to graze in fields of wild thyme to make them tastier for eating! Thyme was also used to preserve food; ancient cooks packed meat in thyme to protect it from spoiling.
Plant thyme with your other plants to prevent whitefly infestation, it is a repellent! If you have bees, keep thyme planted close by because it attracts bees and thyme flavored honey is considered “the nectar of the gods”.
Thyme can help with increasing Iron in the blood but take it with Vitamin C so it can be better absorbed by the body.
Mix thyme oil with almond or olive oil and massage it into your neck and chest to relieve congestion or bronchitis.
Thyme Gargle
1 cup of boiling water, 2 tsps. thyme leaves, pinch of salt
Pour water over leaves, cover and steep for 20 minutes.
Strain, add salt, and gargle as needed. Store in the refrigerator, it will keep for several days. Add sage, as an option.
References:
Herbs for Health and Healing by Kathi Keville
The Good Herb by Judith Bunn Hurley
Healing Spices by Bharat B, Aggarwal
Cynthia Burrows, from Austin, Texas, owns Cindy Burrows, Natural Health Consultant; assisting individuals with health issues they would like to change. She will set up a program giving choices of foods, herbs, teas and homeopathic suggestions. Cindy is past owner of Nature’s Healing Herbs, an Herbal, Green Tea, and Tincture product line, and a rare product line of Green Tea Foods. She has certificates for Herbalist at East West School of Herbology, and as Wellness Consultant with the Wellness Forum in Ohio.
Cindy is also a Medical Technologist, with a B.S. degree from Mansfield University in Mansfield Pa., she has been in healthcare for over 30 years. In 2005, she started using a new device founded in Europe, Quantum Biofeedback, “an energy rebalancing of the body”, by using our bodies electricity or frequency waves it can detect stress points in the body, she has added this to her consulting practice. She now has her Certification as a Biofeedback Specialist. She helps her clients by working with the synergy of herbs, food, homeopathy, and aromatherapy within her practice. She is a speaker, writer, and teacher. Cindy has been interviewed on TV; about the benefits of Green Tea and has been on radio about her small business tour to Ecuador.
Cindy has been an herbalist for over 20 years and has spent 6 years learning through the East West School of Herbology with Michael Tierra. She has studied Western, Chinese and Ayurvedic Herbs with a strong emphasis on nutrition. Along with many other continued studies of alternative and complementary medicine. She is a Certified Wellness Consultant, through a special program, The Wellness Forum, which has its nutrition program, now part of the curriculum at Ohio State University, providing educational seminars and workshops designed to impart relevant nutrition information to individuals to take control of their own health. These programs give healthier options and choices that can impact your longevity and quality of life. Cindy has been a speaker to many groups and has conducted many of her own classes on food and healthy life style programs.
Cindy has been involved with a hands-on healing program for the past 4 years and offers energy healing, through donation only, to anyone who needs her services.
She is Co-president of the Austin Herb Society and a member of the American Herbalist Guild. Cynthia has been a board member on many programs in the past including; La Sertoma, Arthritis Foundation, Toastmasters International, National Association of Female Executives, Handicapped Equestrian Learning Program, Entrepreneurs Association, and Austin Integrated Health Care Program.
Cindy also loves nature, animals, reading, blending teas, juices, etc.; likes to hike, and work with plants and, of course, cooking., mostly vegetarian.
Cindy has an adventurous streak.
She has organized and taken tours with business and artists groups to Big Bend, Texas, New Mexico, USA, and Ecuador, South America.
