Edible Parts: Flowers  Leaves  Shoots
Edible Uses: Condiment  Tea

Leaves and flowering tops - raw in salads, used as a garnish or added as a flavouring to cooked foods, going especially well with mushrooms and courgettes[2, 4, 21, 46, 183, 238]. It is an essential ingredient of the herb mix 'bouquet garni'[238]. It retains its flavour well in long slow cooking[200]. The leaves can be used either fresh or dried[183]. If the leaves are to be dried, the plants should be harvested in early and late summer just before the flowers open and the leaves should be dried quickly[200]. A nutritional analysis is available[218]. An aromatic tea is made from the fresh or dried leaves[21, 183]. Pungent and spicy[183].

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Anthelmintic  Antiseptic  Antispasmodic  Aromatherapy  Carminative  Deodorant  Diaphoretic  Disinfectant  
Expectorant  Sedative  Tonic

Common thyme has a very long history of folk use for a wide range of ailments[218]. It is very rich in essential oils and these are the active ingredients responsible for most of the medicinal properties[218]. In particular, thyme is valued for its antiseptic and antioxidant properties, it is an excellent tonic and is used in treating respiratory diseases and a variety of other ailments[254]. The flowering tops are anthelmintic, strongly antiseptic, antispasmodic, carminative, deodorant, diaphoretic, disinfectant, expectorant, sedative and tonic[4, 7, 21, 200, 218]. The plant is used internally in the treatment of dry coughs, whooping cough, bronchitis, bronchial catarrh, asthma, laryngitis, indigestion, gastritis and diarrhoea and enuresis in children[238]. It should not be prescribed for pregnant women[238]. Externally, it is used in the treatment of tonsillitis, gum diseases, rheumatism, arthritis and fungal infections[238]. The plant can be used fresh at any time of the year, or it can be harvested as it comes into flower and either be distilled for the oil or dried for later use[238]. Thyme has an antioxidant effect, thus regular use of this herb improves the health and longevity of individual body cells and therefore prolongs the life of the body[254, K]. The essential oil is strongly antiseptic[4]. The whole herb is used in the treatment of digestive disorders, sore throats, fevers etc[4]. The essential oil is one of the most important oils used in aromatherapy[7, 210]. Its keyword is 'Bacterial'[210]. It is used especially in cases of exhaustion, depression, upper respiratory tract infections, skin and scalp complaints etc[238]. The oil can cause allergic reactions and irritation to the skin and mucous membranes[238].

Deodorant  Disinfectant  Essential  Fungicide  Pot-pourri  Repellent

An essential oil from the leaves is frequently used in perfumery, soaps, toothpastes, mouthwashes, medicinally etc[11, 21, 57, 89, 238]. It has fungicidal properties[171] and is also used to prevent mildew[218]. The leaves are dried and used in pot-pourri[238]. The plant makes an attractive ground cover for a sunny position[201]. Plants are best spaced about 30cm apart each way[208]. The dried flowers are used to repel moths from clothing[4] whilst the growing plant is said to repel cabbage root fly[18, 20].

Special Uses

Attracts Wildlife  Dynamic accumulator  Food Forest  Ground cover  Scented Plants