Thyme

17 Medicinal plants you can grow indoors year-round

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Here is a list of medicinal plants, herbs and spices that you can grow indoors throughout the year. You only need a windowsill, vertical spaces on walls that get enough sunlight or a gardening table set up beneath grow lights to grow these medicinal plants in your home.

These plants are the same ones that you would snip off a sprig or two in an outdoor garden to toss into your casseroles, homemade sauces, salads or soups. Use these plants for their essential oils or to make poultices, salves, teas and tinctures for your medicinal needs.

Basil

Mothers can use basil both before and after giving birth to enhance blood circulation and facilitate the flow of breast milk. Native Americans use basil to treat insect bites and draw out venom from snake bites. Basil can also be used as a natural deworming aid for both humans and animals.

When applied topically, basil can treat minor burns and wounds and help remove warts. It can also help with kidney issues, loss of appetite and stomach spasms, as well as reduce swelling due to fluid retention. Basil can also help relieve cold symptoms.

Chamomile

This medicinal herb can be used to treat ulcers, hay fever, rheumatic discomfort, muscle spasms, minor wounds, muscle and tendon inflammation, menstrual pain, hemorrhoids, insomnia and gastrointestinal disorders.

Chamomile is an excellent natural base ingredient for salves, creams and lotions for dry skin and sunburn.

Chives

Boasting high amounts of vitamins A and C, chives are great for supporting bone and immune health. Chives also contain folate and choline, which can promote good-quality sleep.

Research has found that the phytochemicals in chives, such as ajoene, flavonoids, quercetin and S-allylmercaptocysteine, have potent anticancer properties.

Echinacea

Echinacea is a medicinal plant with brightly colored flowers that can easily brighten up any room in your house. You can use echinacea to make an herbal tea that can prevent and treat respiratory illnesses and boost your immune system.

Garlic

An active base ingredient in many home remedies, garlic is excellent for removing toxins from the body. Garlic can naturally prevent and treat gum disease, respiratory issues and symptoms associated with the common cold and flu, cold sores and yeast infections. It can also help draw out venom from spider bites.

Lavender

Known as a calming and relaxing herb, lavender has been shown to help relieve anxiety and other mood issues. Lavender can also be used as a natural remedy for fungal infections, hair loss, insomnia and skin problems like acne, dry skin, minor wounds and eczema.

Lemon balm

A medicinal herb from the mint family known for its lemon scent, lemon balm is commonly used as a natural medicine for liver and bile issues as well as gastrointestinal problems. When combined with valerian, lemon balm can help relieve restlessness and can even be used as a natural sleep aid. (Related: Lemon balm helps improve gut motility, says research.)

Marjoram

An aromatic herb from the mint family, marjoram has been used to make home remedies for thousands of years. Marjoram has medicinal properties that can be used to treat cough, depression, dizziness, gallbladder problems, muscle and nerve pains, nervous headaches and migraines, runny nose, stomach cramps and many more. (Related: Marjoram can prevent gastric ulcers while showing promise in fighting breast cancer.)

Oregano

Another potent medicinal herb with a long history of use as medicine, oregano can be used as a natural remedy for skin sores, aching muscles, asthma, cramps, diarrhea, indigestion and the common cold. Studies have shown that oregano can also help relieve inflammation, treat bacterial infections, regulate blood sugar and blood cholesterol levels, and fight cancer.

Parsley

A flowering plant whose leaves are widely used as a culinary herb, parsley is a great source of antioxidant vitamins, such as vitamins A and C. It is also rich in vitamin K, which is needed for blood clotting and maintaining strong bones. Parsley boasts powerful antibacterial, antifungal and anticancer properties, the latter of which is thanks to the flavonoids, myricetin and apigenin.

The antioxidant carotenoids in parsley, namely, lutein, beta carotene and zeaxanthin, can also support optimal eye health and prevent age-related macular degeneration. (Related: Parsley is a blood purifying superfood.)

Rosemary

Aside from seasoning food, rosemary can be used to fight halitosis and naturally freshen one’s breath. Because of its beneficial properties, rosemary is often added to all-natural homemade toothpastes and mouthwash solutions. According to studies, rosemary can also enhance brain performance and helps improve digestion, mood and sleep quality. It has natural pain-relieving properties and can also help boost immune function.

Sage

This herb from the mint family can be used to treat bloating, dyspepsia or stomach upset, diarrhea, flatulence, heartburn, hot flashes and memory loss. When used to make tea, sage can also help reduce inflammation, lower blood sugar levels and even fight cancer. Gargling with sage tea is also said to be a good remedy for mouth wounds, sore throats and bad breath.

Spearmint

A pleasantly sweet-tasting herb from the mint family, spearmint is a common ingredient in chewing gums and oral care products. Spearmint is high in antioxidant compounds and is a great natural remedy for digestive issues, such as indigestion and gas. It can also help treat symptoms of hormonal imbalance in women, such as excessive hair growth, or hirsutism.

According to studies, spearmint has antibacterial properties that can help get rid of bacteria in your mouth that cause bad breath. Drinking spearmint tea is also said to help lower blood sugar levels in diabetics.

Stevia

A healthy natural sweetener, stevia, or candyleaf, is an herb from the daisy family that is said to be eight to 150x sweeter than sugar. Stevia is low in calories and has a negligible effect on blood sugar, making it an ideal alternative to table sugar and other unhealthy sweeteners. Studies show that certain glycosides in stevia could help lower blood pressure by helping dilate blood vessels.

Stevia also contains an abundance of antioxidants, such as kaempferol, which has been found to inhibit the growth of pancreatic cancer cells.

Tarragon

Tarragon is an herb from the sunflower family that has long been used in Traditional Asian Medicine. Research suggests that tarragon is an anti-inflammatory, antiepileptic and antipyretic (reduces fever) agent that can also be used to relieve pain naturally. Tarragon is also effective for treating helminthiasis, or infestation of parasitic worms.

Studies show that tarragon also has antioxidant, antitumor, liver-protective and blood sugar-lowering effects. (Related: Tarragon and its many surprising health benefits.)

Thyme

A versatile herb from the mint family, thyme can be used as a substitute for salt in the kitchen. Thyme is well-known for having antiseptic, disinfectant and antibacterial properties, and for its history of use as a food preservative. During World War I, thyme was burned as a fumigator and was even used by ancient doctors to protect them from the Black Plague.

When used for cooking, thyme can help stimulate the appetite and promote good digestion. Its active components, thymol and carvacrol, are often added to mouthwashes, toothpastes, soaps, creams, salves, lotions, liniments, throat lozenges and cold remedies.

Turmeric

Widely known for its many health benefits, turmeric is the spice that gives curry its yellow color. Curcumin, the main active compound in turmeric is a potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant agent that can help lower your risks of brain and heart disease and cancer. Aptly called the “Golden Spice,” this medicinal herb is traditionally used to heal wounds and treat a variety of ailments, such as rheumatoid arthritis, conjunctivitis, small pox, chicken pox, urinary tract infections and liver issues.

Plants are versatile gifts from Nature that can serve you well either as food or medicine when SHTF. Learn more about useful plants to grow in your home garden at GrowYourMedicine.com.

Thyme Plant extract revealed to be more effective than ibuprofen

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thymeoil

Significant research has found thyme essential oil and its constituent thymol to be antiseptic. In fact, many mouth washes and antiseptic wipes often contain thymol.

 New research is also finding that thyme oil also reduces pain. Who would have thought?

Well, traditional medicines have been using thyme oil and other essential oils to help relieve pain for centuries.

thymeoil

Study finds Thyme Oil beats out Ibuprofen for pain relief

Researchers from Iran’s Babol University of Medical Sciences has confirmed that thyme is not only an excellent pain-relieving herb. It also reduces pain of difficult menstruation better than ibruprofen.

 The researchers tested 84 women university students who had reported difficult menstruation. The young women were aged between 18 and 24 years old. All were suffering from primary dysmenorrhea.

Primary dysmenorrhea is usually defined as painful cramping that may or may not come with other symptoms such as back ache, nausea, headaches and dizziness. Secondary dysmenorrhea usually indicates menses pain that is related to another underlying condition.

Here the researchers added to the definition of primary dysmenorrhea that it appears within two years of the beginning of menses (menarche) and no pelvic pain during the other parts of the monthly cycle. This is logical because painful menses is more frequently seen among younger women within the first few years of the beginning of menses

OTHER HEALTH BENEFITS OF THYME OIL

Antiseptic: Thyme essential oil is a good antiseptic and safeguards wounds and sores against infections. This is mainly due to the presence of components like Caryophyllene and Camphene in thyme.

 Tonic: Thyme essential oil also tones up the circulatory system, heart, digestive system, nervous system, muscles, and skin while fortifying them and boosting immunity.

Hypertensive: You might raise your eyebrows about this medicinal property and may not see it as a benefit. However, this property is very beneficial for those who are suffering from low blood pressure. Those type of people run the risk of falling unconscious at any time, and feeling sluggish. This oil can normalize their blood pressure by raising it, which is just as important sometimes as lowering it.

Antirheumatic: There are two main reasons behind rheumatism, arthritis and gout. The first is improper or obstructed circulation, and the second one is an increasing concentration of toxins like uric acid in the blood stream. Thyme essential oil can sort out both of these problems. Since it is a diuretic, it increases urination and helps in the removal of toxins from the body. Being a stimulant, it stimulates or activates circulation and thereby sorts out this problem in a separate way. Both ways helps cure rheumatism, and related conditions like arthritis.

Additional uses include:

• Thyme is useful on infections of the urinary tract and bladder, and also acts as a diuretic, increasing its effectiveness

 • Also use for candida and vaginitis

• Use to kill nail fungus

• Thyme is an ingredient in natural hand sanitizers

• Add thyme to a hot compress to relieve rheumatic pain, muscular aches and pains, sprains, sports injuries, sciatica, arthritis, gout

• Crush the fresh herb or use diluted oil as first aid on insect bites and stings

 • Use on athlete’s foot. For this use, you can apply the oil neat, or undiluted, but protect the skin with some fatty cream. Other neat applications include animal bites and boils.

• Use a one percent solution as an antibacterial wash for fresh produce

• Use in hair and skin care regimes, as a hair tonic or in a face wash and for treatment of things like acne or warts

• Use thyme in a sitz bath or massage to stimulate menstruation for weak or missing periods

• Use to kill parasites

Soure:http://www.healthy-holistic-living.com

 

What Is Thyme Good For?

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Botanical name: Thymus vulgaris

A perennial in the mint family of plants, thyme is a small, attractive herb with a plethora of small white, pink, or lilac flowers. Incredibly, there are more than 350 known thyme species, undoubtedly because they hybridize so easily. Thyme can be bushy or low-growing, with leaves varying in color from deep to paler green shades, some with touches of olive, silver (one of the hardiest), or bronze. Some of the variety names are lovely, like Archer’s Gold and Rainbow Falls, not necessarily reflecting the different scents which can be reminiscent of pine, caraway, lemon, camphor, or eucalyptus.

Thyme Nutrition Facts

Common thyme (T. vulgaris) or lemon thyme (T. citriodorus)is most popular for cooking, but it’s also used for medicinal purposes along with Spanish (T. zygis) and creeping thyme (T. serpyllum). These are native to southern Europe and western Asia and cultivated commercially in many areas around the globe.

Fresh or dried, thyme leaves and flowers lend a sprightly essence to flavoring casseroles, soups, stews, and sautéed vegetables. Chopped fresh or dried and combined with parsley and bay leaves, thyme is included in the French combination of herbs called bouquet garni, used to season stock, stews, and soups. Eggs, meats, fish, and bean dishes are all enhanced with a sprinkling of thyme.

Thyme is very easy to grow, especially in sunshine, thriving in rocky crevices or containers, with woody stems and base. It’s one herb which snow can be brushed from to harvest the sprigs for kitchen use. While this is an herb notable for deterring garden pests like beetles, the flowers are known for the nectar they generate, which attracts bees that subsequently produce thyme-infused honey. Thyme is so versatile that it’s also sought after for soap, toothpaste, cosmetics, perfume, and antibacterial cream.

Health Benefits of Thyme

Thyme goes beyond many other herbs with its wide array of uses: potpourri, mood-enhancing aromatherapy, sachets that repel moths, ointments for fighting infection in scrapes and cuts, and cough elixirs and mouthwashes for canker sores and throat infections. Thyme has been used as an expectorant and is particularly helpful as a remedy for upper respiratory tract problems like bronchitis. (The measurements to make your own cough medicine with a pestle and mortar is one to six ounces of thyme mixed with honey for daily ingestion, according to instructions by Maud Grieve in “A Modern Herbal,” published in 1931.)

In order to show what kind of nutrition thyme offers, a larger amount than would be eaten was used in the profile, but this shows what you get when you eat a teaspoon or a tablespoon of this fragrant herb. Thyme is an excellent source of vitamin C (75% of the daily recommended value), vitamin A (27%), fiber (16 %), riboflavin, iron (27%), copper, and manganese (24%), 11% each in calcium and manganese, and doses of vitamin B6, folate, phosphorus, potassium, and zinc as well.

Volatile oils in thyme include carvacolo, borneol, geraniol, and most importantly thymol, with powerful antiseptic and antibacterial properties that have also been shown to have antimicrobial activity against a host of different bacteria and fungi, including Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, E. coli, and the deadly Shigella sonnei.

Studies on thymol reported its ability to significantly increase healthy fats throughout the cells and even increase the DHA (docosahexaenoic acid, an omega-3 fatty acid) content in kidney, heart, and brain cell membranes. This combination of attributes in the oils, vitamins and minerals, plus rosmarinic and ursolic acids, which are powerful terpenoids, can even be cancer preventive.

Thyme Nutrition Facts

Serving Size: One (1) oz. of chopped thyme (28 grams)
Amt. Per Serving

Calories

 28

Carbohydrates

 7 g

Fiber

 4 g

Protein

 2 g

Studies on Thyme

The essential oil in thyme may have the ability to kill the deadly MRSA hospital ”superbug” according to scientists at the University of Brighton. Scientists found it destroyed MRSA within two hours, with no adverse effects on intact skin.

  MRSA is often carried on the skin or in the nostrils of healthy people, but when a carrier enters a hospital for an operation or any procedure that punctures the skin, bacteria can enter the body, causing serious medical problems, and each year up to 5,000 people die as a result.” The study was published in theInternational Journal of Essential Oil Therapeutics and was carried out by a team of microbiologists.1

Herbal preparations of thyme might be a more effective treatment for acne than prescription creams, according to researchers from Leeds Metropolitan University, who tested the effect of thyme, marigold, and myrrh tinctures on acne bacterium. While all three preparations killed the bacterium after five minutes, thyme was the most effective, and even had a greater antibacterial effect than benzoyl peroxide, the active ingredient in most anti-acne creams or washes, but without the skin irritation.2

Just in Thyme Chicken Salad

Thyme Healthy Recipes

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups dark-meat chicken, cooked & chopped
  • 1/2 cup raw cashews
  • 2 stalks organic celery, chopped
  • Small handful organic fresh Italian parsley, chopped (may also use curly parsley)
  • 2 teaspoons fresh thyme, chopped
  • 1/3 cup red onion, chopped
  • 1/2 cup to 1 cup fresh, raw cream
  • 1/2 teaspoon prepared mustard
  • Splash of organic olive oil
  • Juice of ½ lemon

Procedure:

Place chicken, cashews, celery, parsley, thyme, and onion in medium-sized bowl. Add lemon juice, raw cream, and mustard (the secret ingredient). Add a splash of organic olive oil and mix well.

(From: Just in Thyme Chicken Salad)

Thyme Fun Facts

Ancient Greeks used thyme for incense – in fact its name originally meant “to fumigate.” Meanwhile, the Romans added it to their cheese and alcohol as a remedy for melancholy. They both considered thyme an herb able to impart courage and energy, and used it with roses to sweeten the smell of their homes.

Summary

Thyme is a fragrant herb known for the warm essence it adds to casseroles, soups, sautéed vegetables, eggs, and meats. It’s an easy-to-grow herb offering an array of varieties in different shades of green and exuding subtle fragrance differences such as lemon, pine, or caraway.

While this herb has dozens of household uses, such as keeping moths from linens and beetles from the garden, and is used in soaps, cosmetics, and perfumes, thyme has also been known for millennia as a healer. Its antibacterial, antiseptic, and antimicrobial ability, primarily from the volatile oils carvacolo, borneol, geraniol, and thymol, have been clinically proven; for example, acne cream with thyme as the active ingredient is more effective than benzoyle peroxide. Rosmarinic and ursolic acids are terpenoids that have been shown to be cancer preventive.

Perhaps it’s not an overstatement to say “thyme heals all wounds.”

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