Thyme, found in most Mediterranean foods, has been used for years as a food, a food preservative, and a medicine. Fresh or dried, it is a staple in French cooking, especially stews, stock, soups, and roasts. It adds a savory flavor to many dishes. The ancient Egyptians used it as an embalming fluid, and Hippocrates recommended thyme for respiratory diseases and coughs. The Romans used it to combat the effects of poison and used it in a bath to rid the body of toxins.

Today, thyme can be found in some of our medications. It is found in Listerine and Vicks VapoRub, and many other medications. Thyme and its essential oil are used in diffusers to kill bacteria found in the air, and in ointments to fight off bacteria from cuts and scrapes. It is also used in throat gargles to stop coughs and sore throats.

In the cold and flu season, thyme can help kill bacteria and viruses because it is an antimicrobial and boosts your immune system. Adding thyme to teas and soups increases your ability to kill germs. We are hearing nearly every day about the contamination of our food. Washing your produce with a solution that has 1% thyme oil will kill bacteria that cause illnesses.

Fighting acne or skin outbreaks? A solution of thyme tincture is effective in fighting it. Thyme oil is also effective in resolving athlete’s foot and yeast infections. An extract of thyme is effective in lowering blood pressure by reducing LDL (bad cholesterol) and triglycerides and increasing HDL (good cholesterol). Thyme reduces inflammation, which may contribute to heart disease. The Mediterranean diet is considered healthy because it uses a lot of thyme and oregano.

Another active ingredient in thyme, carvacrol, increases serotonin and dopamine, the feel-good chemicals that boost your mood. Add more thyme to your diet to feel good.

Add thyme to your diet fresh or dried by making a tea, adding it to soups, stews, and roasts. Don’t hesitate to add it to chicken, fish, eggs, or veggie dishes. Make a salad dressing and add some thyme. To reap its health benefits, add thyme to just about any dish.

Until next time

Peace, Love, and Blessings ❤️