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Plant
Remedies Thyme
Thyme Thymus spp.
Garden thyme is an improved
cultivated form of the Wild Thyme of the mountains of Spain and other
European countries bordering on the Mediterranean. Pliny recommends it as
an antidote for snake bites, ‘poisons’ of marine creatures and
headaches.
The aerial parts are ideal for
deep-seated chest infections marked by thick yellow phlegm. They are also
useful as a digestive remedy, warming for stomach chills and associated
diarrhoea.
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Constituents
Volatile oils - linalol, thymol,
carvacrol, tannins, saponins, flavonoids
Character
Chinese herbal
medicine regards it as pungent, slightly bitter, warm, drying
Action
It traditionally acts as an
antiseptic expectorant, antispasmodic, astringent, diuretic, soothes
coughs, antibiotic, wound healing, topically – it can increase blood
flow to an area
Application
Tincture This
is traditionally prescribed for diarrhoea and stomach chills
Infusion This is
traditionally prescribed for chest infections, stomach chills or irritable
bowel
Gargle The infusion or
diluted tincture is traditionally used for sore throats
Essential oil
Chest rub Dissolving 10 drops
thyme oil in 20ml of almond oil or sunflower oil can be used for chest
infections
Oil Dissolve 10 drops in 20ml
of water is traditionally applied to insect bites
Massage oil Dissolving 10
drops of thyme and lavender oil in 25ml of almond or sunflower oil can be
used for rheumatic pain or strained muscles
Cautions
Avoid therapeutic
doses in pregnancy as the herb is a uterine stimulant
Thyme oil can irritate the mucous
membranes, so always dilute
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This page was last updated on 18 December 2006 21:23:58
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