Thyme, Common

Common Thyme

Botanical name: Thymus vulgaris

Life cycle: Perennial

Height: 30 cm

Position: Full sun

Soil preference: Well drained

Description

Common thyme is an aromatic, evergreen shrub growing to 30 cm high. It has thin woody stems and small, narrow, pointed, grey-green leaves, being paler underneath. The small flowers are lilac or white and occur in spring and summer. The flowers are fragrant and attract bees.

Uses

Culinary – Extremely fragrant and rich in essential oils, thyme is a staple in cooking. It brings a warm and pungent flavour to food. The leaves can be used as part of bouquet garni in soups and stews and can also be used in stuffings, salads and savoury dishes. Thyme is also nice stirred through cooked mushrooms and omelettes.

Medicinal - Medicinally, thyme has antimicrobial and antispasmodic properties and is often used to treat whooping cough, bronchial infections, sore throats and colds.

In addition to its antiseptic qualities, thyme has a carminative effect that can stimulate digestion and help dispel gas. The leaves can be made into a tonic and stimulating tea, used to treat digestive complaints and respiratory disorders.

The volatile oils in thyme are particularly antiviral and antifungal and can be used externally for fungal infections, bites, aches, and pains. Many pharmaceutical gargles, cough drops, mouth washes, and vapour rubs contain thymes constituent thymol.

Growing conditions

Thyme likes a well-drained soil in an open sunny position. Suitable for a neutral to slightly alkaline soil it will grow happily in a rock garden. Thyme does not like wet feet and will grow well in a container on a sunny windowsill or veranda. Prune after flowering and again in autumn.

9cm pot.

Organically grown plant in a biodegradable coir pot.