Papaya - a world class meat tenderizer, natural digestive aid, prevents ulcers, and also a soft contact lense cleaner.Healing with Thyme
Thyme’s aromatic oil contains two chemicals-thymol and carvacol-that account for its medicinal value. Both chemicals have preservative, antibacterial, and antifungal properties. They also have expectorant properties and may be useful as digestive aids.
Antiseptic - Thyme fights several disease-causing bacteria and fungi in the test tube, supporting its traditional use as an antiseptic, though infusions of the dried herb are nowhere near as powerful as the oil or distilled thymol. Still, for garden first aid, you can crush some fresh leaves into minor cuts and scrapes on the way to washing and bandaging them.
Digestive Aid - Some studies show thymol and carvacol relax the smooth muscle tissue of the gastrointestinal tract, making thyme an antispasmodic. This action of these chemical constituents lend support to thyme’s traditional use as a digestive aid.
Women’s Health - Antispasmodics relax not only the digestive tract but other smooth muscles, such as the uterus, as well. Small amounts may help relieve menstrual cramps, lending credence to the Eclectic physicians’ use of this herb But in large amounts, thyme oil and thymol are considered uterine stimulants.
Pregnant women may use thyme as a culinary spice, but they should avoid large amounts and should not use the herb’s oil.
Cough Remedy - German researchers have lent support to thyme’s traditional use as a phlegrn-loosener (expectorant), and in Germany today, where herbal medicine is considerably more mainstream than it is in the United States, thyme preparations are frequently prescribed to relax the respiratory tract and treat cough, whooping cough, and emphysema. German medical herbalist Rudolph Fritz Weiss, M.D., writes:
“Thyme is to the trachea [windpipe] and the bronchi what peppermint is to the stomach and intestines.”
Rx for Thyme
For garden accidents, crush fresh leaves into the wound on the way to washing and bandaging it. Once wounds have been thoroughly washed, apply a few drops of thyme tincture as an antiseptic.
For an infusion to help settle the stomach, soothe a cough, or possibly help relieve menstrual symptoms, use 2 teaspoons of dried herb per cup of boiling water. Steep 10 minutes. Drink up to 3 cups a day. Thyme tastes pleasantly aromatic with a faint clove-like aftertaste.
In a tincture, take ½ to 1 teaspoon up to three times a day.
Medicinal preparations of thyme should not be given to children under age 2. For older children and people over 65, start with low-strength preparations and increase strength if necessary.