The fourth member of the Scarborough Fair herb garden is the ever talented and lovely thyme ~ coming in many varieties and offering a bountiful crop of endless opportunities for use. Another member of the mint family , thyme is a relative to another classic, oregano. A drought resistant perennial, it grows well in the company of roses, tomatoes, broccoli, egg plant, brussel sprouts , rosemary and other herbs. Preferring sunny locations, well drained and slightly alkaline soil , the plant is very maintenance free. In its second year, after the last spring frost, a light pruning will keep it bushier and your general use will keep the tips nipped back. Avoid trimming much away in the fall, giving the herb about 6 weeks to harden off before winter arrives. It does well in containers with other herbs, just don't let it be in their shadow, as it loves sun. Creeping thyme is also very much desired in landscape as a ground cover for use in stepping stone pathways , rock gardens, walkway borders and steep areas. The bees love it and the delightful fragrance is released when you step onto it.
Mine is growing happily amidst the sage and oregano . The most flavor is before blooming , however it is not seriously compromised so we let ours bloom out for the bees. German thyme is hardy in zones 5-9 and lemon thyme is better in zones 7-9. A vigorous grower in either area, so be sure to plant where you don't mind if it gets a bit footloose and fancy free.
Ancient Egyptians used thyme for embalming . Greeks used it in baths and burned it as incense, believing it to be a source of courage and strength. In the middle ages it was placed into the pillows to ward off nightmares and bring a peace filled sleep. Thyme was placed into coffins and tombs to assure the deceased had a successful passage to the next life.
Thyme is an excellent addition to any slow cooked dish, as it , like bay leaves, takes longer to release its flavors into the food. Another beauty of thyme is its ability to retain flavor and potency after being dried. The drying process is easy and you would store in a cool, dark , dry place in a sealed container. It freezes well and can be preserved in vinegar and oils. It is a reputable source of Vitamin C ( 75 % of the daily recommended amount ! ), Vitamin A, fiber, riboflavin, copper, manganese, B6, folate, potassium, phosphorus and zinc. Quite a powerhouse of nutrients to offer in such a tasty plant.
Soups, stews, meat entrees, dried beans and strong vegetables ( think cabbage ) lend themselves to the merits of thyme. It makes a healthy and delicious addition to flavor spreads, gravies and sauces. Lemon thyme, with its zing, is a delightful player in teas, rice, garlic potatoes , fish dishes or seafood. Try it in grown up mac and cheese with mushrooms or make a pesto with it for white fish. My husband makes his own zaatar seasoning blend to embellish hummus , using our thyme and other herbs.
Essential oil of thyme has great disinfectant qualities, giving it promise as an acne treatment, showing better results than benzoyl peroxide. These properties make it effective in resolving athletes foot, toenail fungus and other podiatry concerns when used as a tisane. Thymol is commonly used in mouthwashes , such as Listerine, so thyme is a very beneficial product in fighting tooth decay, gum disease and bad breath. Prior to the development of antibiotics it was used to soak bandages in for wound care. It makes a healing poultice using the crushed leaves. This is good to know for emergency wound care in a "prepper" situation. The flowers, leaves and oil of thyme are commonly used in the treatment of diarrhea, flatulence, bed wetting and as a diuretic. Substitute thyme for salt when seasoning foods to lower blood pressure and heart rate. Thyme is an avid product in fighting coughs, bronchitis, upper and lower respiratory issues as it thins, loosens and expels mucous.
Potpourris or sachets made from the thyme leaves and stems placed in closets and cabinets act as natural insect repellents. This works well to crush some leaves between your hands to release their oils to keep bugs away while gardening or enjoying a hike. With its year round ability to provide you with culinary and medicinal purposes, this plant deserves a spot in your home or garden. Thank you for taking the tour with me and stay tuned for the next episode ! Blessings and peace to you as you get your grow-on !