Growing And Using Thyme for Health

Last summer I had one Thyme plant.

This season I have four – I started a new plant by dividing the Thyme I had and I bought 3 others.

The new 3 are Lemon Thyme, English Thyme and Pizza Thyme.

Here are some photos:

These all make a tasty tea. Sometimes I drink it on its’ own and sometimes I mix it with other herbs for flavor and more health benefits.

To make tea, use 1 tsp. dried or 1 Tbsp. fresh per cup. Put the herbs into a teapot or cup, poor boiling water over and steep at least 10 minutes, then strain. If using fresh, chop the herb so there is more exposed surface of the leaves to extract from. Sweeten with your preferred sweetener if you wish. I also use Thyme in Herbal Syrups For Health, Refreshing Ice Water and More! and Mixed Herbal Iced Tea for Health Benefits

I started drinking the tea last summer since I read that it can fight colds and flus and is good for respiratory health among many other health benefits. It has many vitamins and minerals. If you are interested you can research by googling Thyme medicinal benefits.

I have also been drying it and storing in a glass jar for winter use in teas and cooking. It is evergreen so I can pick it through Autumn and Winter, but it doesn’t grow much so it’s good to have some dried on hand.

I have a couple of shallow rectangular baskets that I lay herbs and flowers in to dry and that is typically how I dry it. Sometimes I’ll bunch it up, put a rubber band around the stems then hang with a paper clip under a wire shelf I have in the house.

Thyme is low-growing so is great to plant near something taller. My Pizza Thyme is growing near the Hot Lips Salvia and my garden Thyme is growing near a pink rose bush. Lemon Thyme is planted in a bed with mostly smaller herb plants. Thyme likes full sun. I have noticed it seems very hardy. Last summer after I went back to work and caring for my parents, I didn’t water as often as I should have but the plant did well still.

I am planting a food forest so I fit plants in where they make sense at the time. Curious about a food forest? Click here: Food Forest Gardening

Warmly,

Monica

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