Herbal spotlight: thyme 🌱
Thyme, thymus vulgaris, is a plant in the Lamiaceae, or mint, family. The leaves and flowers are used medicinally. Thyme is warming and drying.
Thyme is a very powerful herb that needs to be used carefully. It is an effective expectorant, bronchodilator, antibacterial, antifungal, and vermifuge (a drug that causes the expulsion or death of intestinal worms, such as tapeworms).
Thyme is useful for infectious conditions of the respiratory and/or urinary tracts. Thyme essential oil can be added to vapor inhalations. Thyme tincture or a cup of hot tea with honey and lemon are both useful preparations as well. Thyme can also be applied externally to the chest in a balm, but never put thyme essential oil on the skin neet - always dilute it with a carrier oil like coconut or olive oil. Thyme essential oil is a hot oil, meaning it is very strong and can definitely cause burns if it is undiluted.
An overdose of thyme essential oil can cause gastrointestinal pain and the essential oil should not be used internally except for under the care of a qualified health professional. (Stick to teas and tinctures for internal use at home, as they are not as strong.)
Using thyme medicinally is contraindicated in pregnancy.
Thyme is the herb in the Santa Rosa Holistic Health logo. 😋