Thyme - The Herb That Stands the Test of Time

Thyme is a perennial evergreen in its warm native Mediterranean climate, but can be grown as an annual elsewhere. It’s an easy herb to grow from seed or propagate with green cuttings.

This tough plant doesn’t need much fertilization, but a top dressing of compost in early spring is always welcome. Thyme is drought tolerant once established.

Timeless Appeal

Thyme is a classic herb that is cherished for its flavor, aroma and potential health benefits. It is found in countless recipes and used to flavor foods like soups, stews, roasted vegetables, meats and poultry.

Thymes are closely related to mints and oregano, but have a flavor that is unique. It is an essential part of many Mediterranean dishes and pairs well with other herbs like rosemary, basil and parsley.

Dried thyme can be added to soups and stews at the end of cooking, when the dish is being removed from the heat, to bring a wonderful aroma to the kitchen and to help intensify the flavor of the dish. Thyme is also a great addition to marinades and roasted vegetable salads. Use a handful of fresh leaves or a teaspoon of dried in a salad dressing for best results.

Add Depth and Complexity to Your Recipes

Thyme pairs well with nearly any recipe, whether you’re cooking up roast chicken or a simple potato side dish. The herb’s savory, earthy-citrusy flavor is grounding yet not intense or overpowering like some herbs (especially oregano and rosemary).

It’s a key component in recipes inspired by southern European cuisine and an essential ingredient in Herbes de Provence and za’atar seasoning. It’s also often used in poultry seasoning recipes and with meat, particularly pork and lamb, especially as a rub or in roasted dishes.

When shopping for fresh thyme, look for bunches that are bright and verdant, with no signs of wilting. It should be fragrant, and the leaves should be crisp. The leaves may need to be separated from the woody stem. Unless a recipe specifies “bunch” or sprigs, the entire herb should be used in recipes, as it retains its flavor better than some other herbs do when dried.

Fresh or Dried

When dried, thyme maintains its flavor better than many other herbs. To dry thyme, place the leaves in a single layer on a baking sheet and set them in an oven at the lowest temperature. Leave the oven door open slightly so moisture can escape. Drying should take about 2-4 hours. When done, the leaves will feel crumbly and dry. Remove the herb from the oven and store it in an airtight container in a cool, dark area.

Fresh thyme pairs well with meats, fish and chicken (especially roast chicken) and goes nicely with soups and stews. It is also a key ingredient in savory herb blends like Herbes de Provence and za'atar.

Generally, recipes calling for fresh thyme can be substituted for dried, but it is usually best to add the herb early in the cooking process so that it can rehydrate and activate its flavors before the dish is finished. A typical recipe will call for a sprig or a handful of leaves.

Infuse in Oils or Vinegars

Thyme’s essential oil is fungicidal, so it can help keep mold at bay in the kitchen and other moist spaces. It also has natural insect repellant properties, and it can be added to homemade cleaners and sprays. A thyme vinegar is easy to make: add 5-10 sprigs of rinsed dried thyme to a cup of cold vinegar in a sterilized jar and leave in a warm, dark place for two weeks, shaking occasionally. The resulting thyme vinegar adds interest to salad dressings, stews and soups, and it makes a lovely gift.

If you don’t have fresh thyme, feel free to substitute with other savory herbs that are similar in flavor and character. Try spicier oregano, sweet and delicate marjoram, or peppery savory for more herbal aromas in a dish. Or use it in a bouquet garni bundle with other, more robust herb flavors to ambientally season your dish. Here at OE, thyme is the star of our lentil potato stew and vegan marinara, but it also shines in roasted vegetables, and in many other Mediterranean dishes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which plant has antibiotic and wound-healing properties?

People often ask about plants that have medicinal uses. Some of these include aloe vera, eucalyptus, chamomile, and lavender. If you're wondering why there aren't any plants used for cleaning and disinfecting purposes, it's because most plants have toxic qualities.

The reason why we use herbs for medicine is that they contain compounds that stimulate our immune system. This means that they help us fight infections and heal wounds.

Some plants also have anti-inflammatory properties. These include ginger, turmeric, and mint.

Herbs such as basil, fennel, marigold, and oregano are great for cleansing the body.

There are even some plants that help prevent cancer. Research shows that black raspberries may reduce the chances of developing breast cancer. The same goes for broccoli. It can help prevent colon cancer.

Is eating raw basil good for you?

I'm sure everyone knows that fresh herbs are great for cooking but did you know that you could eat them too? Raw, uncooked herbs are packed full of nutrients and vitamins that we normally have to cook.

They contain more antioxidants than any fruit or vegetable. And they also help our immune systems stay strong and healthy.

The best way to enjoy these delicious little green gems is to eat them raw from the garden. But there's nothing wrong with enjoying them cooked, either. They taste even better when sautéed in olive oil and served alongside pasta or rice.

There are lots of ways to incorporate raw herbs into recipes. Add them to salads, soups, sandwiches, wraps, omelets, stir-fries, and pesto.

Just make sure you wash them well first!

Is it okay to use dried herbs instead of fresh ones?

It is best to pick up fresh herbs whenever possible when using herbs.

Although dried herbs are convenient, they don’t provide the same benefits as fresh herbs.

Fresh herbs contain essential oils that give your food a unique flavor. These oils help preserve the nutrients within the herb.

Dried herbs lose all their flavor after drying, so they cannot replace fresh herbs.

You should only use dried herbs if you absolutely must. Otherwise, you should get your fresh herbs from the market.

Statistics

• The herbs market is highly competitive, with over 1,000 herb suppliers and over 15,000 herbs products available in the United States alone.
• For those with high cholesterol, garlic supplementation appears to reduce total and/or LDL cholesterol by about 10-15% (72Trusted Source73Trusted (healthline.com)

External Links

[TAG51]

• Health Benefits of Culinary Herbs and Spices - PubMed


• Use of echinacea in medicine - PubMed

[TAG54]

• Peppermint oil (Mintoil®) in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome: A prospective, double-blind placebo-controlled randomized trial


• Curcumin reverses the effects of chronic stress on behavior, the HPA axis, BDNF expression, and phosphorylation of CREB

[TAG57]

• Efficacy and Adverse Effects of Ginkgo Biloba for Cognitive Impairment and Dementia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis - IOS Press

[TAG59]

• Ashwagandha | Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center


• Grape Seed | Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

How To

What to look for in herbs?

Herbs contain natural compounds that may help treat various conditions. In addition, herbal remedies may provide relief when used along with conventional treatments.

Herbal remedies include teas, capsules, tablets, ointments, creams, lotions, oils, and topical applications. Some of these products are meant to be taken internally, while others are applied externally.

The most common uses of herbal remedies include relieving minor aches and pains, treating cold symptoms, reducing fever, controlling coughs and sore throats, easing digestion problems, soothing skin irritations, alleviating menstrual cramps, and providing general health benefits.

When buying herbs, look for the following:

• Freshly picked plants. Avoid dried herbs unless they've been stored in a cool place. If possible, buy herbs directly from farmers' markets.
• Pure extracts. These are made by extracting the active ingredients from herbs using alcohol or water. Look for 100% pure extractions.
• Certified organic herbs. Organic herbs must meet strict standards set forth by the USDA.
• Natural flavors. Many herbs have strong scents that can overwhelm other foods. Adding flavorings such as vanilla, almond, or orange helps mask their smell.
• Potency. The amount of active ingredient per unit weight varies depending on the type of herb.
• Packaging. When purchasing herbs, check the packaging to ensure that it's clean and free of chemicals.

Resources:

[TAG62] The 84-year-old Chen Xiangbai is a leading figure in Chaozhou Gong Fu Cha. He has collected, organized, and determined the standard Chaozhou Gongfu..

[TAG63] Hey ya'll, I'm Jess from Roots & Refuge Farm Welcome to a place that feels like home. A small farm with a big family. We hope you'll pull up a chair,

[TAG64] While Arabica beans are more popular, robusta coffee (Coffea canephora) also has a place in the world market. Robusta is less expensive to grow

[TAG65] Here is the Pioneer Woman's link to her squash Casserole Here is is the link to my video of her Chicken Spaghetti I hope you all enjoy the southern..

[TAG66] Soft rain with distant thunder in the quiet magical land of Hogwarts will help you forget about stress and problems. Magic healing rain with distant..

[TAG67] #Peasant #villagevlog #pastry The videos are shot in the Gakh region of Azerbaijan. We prepare delicious recipes in the village and present Azerbaijani

[TAG68] Fulljoy reasoning from Ras Papa owner of Nilotika Naturals located in Mekong, Uganda. In this clip Ras Papa gives us a tour of his farm Valeria Agro where

[TAG69] Follow Herbal Medicine Director, Peter Jackson-Main, as he takes you through a step by step instruction on how to make a powerful immune boosting tea.

[TAG70] I wanted to walk through the grocery store and show you some of my favorite high quality chocolate items, including some next level sugar free..

[TAG71] Are you ready to take the leap and learn the skills to supplement your self sufficiency Join this channel to get access to perks:

[TAG72] Learn herbs from respected professional herbalists offering world-class herbalist training. The NEW Professional Herbalist Course includes courses on over 600

[TAG73] Our apothecary at the Chestnut School is no mere medicine cabinet; it holds the stories and healing signatures of herbs gathered from local wildlands,

[TAG74] In this video, I share 6 veggies you can start in July right now! July is our hottest month, but don't let that fool you. Now is the best time to..

[TAG75] #herbalmedicine #feverfew #apothecary Welcome friends and join us in the Garden to harvest a lovely little plant that helps me with my migraines! Today we

[TAG76] Gardening and cooking with fresh ingredients is one of the reasons I love our life here. We have spent a lot of time in the garden over the last few..

[TAG77] Lemongrass is a perennial herb that thrives in tropical climates and is used in Thai and Vietnamese cuisine. It has a refreshing, citrus and

[TAG78] This video covers making a simple, non-electric, low maintenance, hydroponic set-up from things you have at home, no special tools or equipment...

[TAG79] Full home garden tour where we will give you a live update of our sun garden, cottage garden, patio garden, and vegetable garden. Take a peek at some

[TAG80] Every home cook should have a well-stocked and organized pantry. I've broken everything down in this video and have a master pantry list on Notion..

[TAG81] Creating a successful fruit tree guild is so easy and surprisingly quick, and here's how! In today's episode, I teach you the 6 main plant groups..

[TAG82] Hey guys! In today's video I am sharing with you 5 really easy and simple ways to use jiffy cornbread mix when you are on a budget! I love this stuff

[TAG83] Find out more about herbs and how to use them

[TAG84] I'm loving these different ways to prepare herbs! This herbal bath experience was legendary and definitely something I'm going to continue doing!..

[TAG85] On our last day at #pandamonium homestead, Ausia gave us fresh eggs from her hens, and herbs that we picked fresh from her garden. #fulltinyhouse #rvlife

[TAG86] Hogwarts Legacy ( Part 15 ) - Herbology Class PS5 [ No Commentary] Newt Scamander

[TAG87] Jekka's top 10 herbs you can find in show gardens at RHS Chelsea Flower Show in 2023

[TAG88] Join me in the kitchen today! We will be creating herbal salt seasoning blends, which is a wonderful way to preserve our summer bounty of herbs. Welcome

[TAG89] One question I get often is, "I have herbs growing, but I don't know what to do with them." Or, "How do I prepare them and harvest them?" So it will depend on

[TAG90] Hey ya'll, I'm Jess from Roots & Refuge Farm Welcome to a place that feels like home. A small farm with a big family. We hope you'll pull up a chair, grab

[TAG91] Alborosie’s Still Blazing from his album Soul Pirate (Deluxe Remastered Edition). Subscribe to Alborosie VEVO channel - https://www.youtube

[TAG92] Arusip fruit is in season today. I picked some and made jam. It is a perfect match to a bread and coffee in the morning. I went also to the top the waterfalls

[TAG93] #herbs #kitchengarden #gardening Herb Gardening For Beginners - DIY Kitchen Herb Garden Hope you find this video helpful! Thanks for watching! Misilla

[TAG94] Like life, tea is what you make of it and The Cup of Life helps individuals enjoy tea in more than one way. Join me on my tea adventures through my blog!

[TAG95] Join me and Kat Mackinnon, who shares an impressive amount of information about the medicinal gifts of the pine tree in a hilarious and quirky way!

[TAG96] Tongkat Ali is an herb that’s traditionally been used for sexual enhancement, energy, strength, fever, and several other conditions.  In ... Read more

[TAG97] Find out how to use willow bark for natural pain relief, backaches, muscular soreness, headaches, arthritis, and more!

[TAG98] Have you ever noticed how different a cough can feel? You may have a dry, coarse cough or one that ... Read more

[TAG99] Red clover is a medicinal plant that has been used for thousands of years to treat various ailments. In this ... Read more

[TAG100] Eurycomanone is a major quassinoid compound found in Tongkat Ali (Eurycoma longifolia). It is often regarded as being responsible for ... Read more

[TAG101] Join me in this episode for a deep dive into linden tree medicine. I share my favorite recipe so you can enjoy the medicinal benefits of delicious linden tea.

[TAG102] Lack of sleep can leave you with no energy, irritated, lethargic, and moody. Whether you struggle with falling asleep, waking ... Read more

[TAG103] I'll show you a compact, easy-to-travel-with natural first aid kit; a wonderful way to be prepared for everyday health concerns when you’re away from home!

[TAG104] Arrowleaf balsamroot (Balsamorhiza sagittata) is a stunning flower, a nutritious food, and a potent herbal medicine that grows all over western North America.

[TAG105] A tea assessment platform that rates teas based on objective quality markers and a sensory evaluation resulting in a list of the best teas produced each year.