Papaya - a world class meat tenderizer, natural digestive aid, prevents ulcers, and also a soft contact lense cleaner.Thyme The Safety Factor
Use the herb, not its oil. Even a few teaspoons of thyme oil can be toxic, causing headache, nausea, vomiting, weakness, thyroid impairment, and heart and respiratory depression.
One animal study showed thyme suppresses thyroid activity in rats. Those with thyroid conditions should consult their physicians before taking medicinal doses.
Thyme and thyme oil may cause a rash in sensitive individuals.
Other Cautions
The Food and Drug Administration includes thyme in its list of herbs generally regarded as safe. For otherwise healthy non-pregnant, non-nursing adults who do not have thyroid problems, thyme is considered safe in amounts typically recommended.
Thyme should be used in medicinal amounts only in consultation with your doctor. If thyme causes minor discomforts, such as headache or nausea, use less or stop using it. Let your doctor know if you experience unpleasant effects or if the symptoms for which the herb is being used do not improve significantly in two weeks.
Time to Grow Thyme
Thyme is an aromatic, perennial. many-branched, groundcover shrub that reaches about 12 inches. It has small, opposite, virtually stalkless leaves and lilac or pink flowers that bloom in midsummer.
This hardy herb can be propagated from seeds, cuttings, and root divisions. Seeds require a temperature around 70°F to germinate and often do best when started indoors. For cuttings, snip 3-inch pieces from stems with new growth and place them in wet sand. Roots should appear in about two weeks. The best time for root division is in spring. Uproot a plant carefully, preserving as much of its root soil as possible. Divide it in half or thirds and replant the divisions 12 inches apart in moist soil.
Once established, thyme requires little care. It prefers welldrained soil on the dry side. Clumps tend to become woody after a few years. To prevent this, roots should be divided periodically. Wetting thyme leaves during watering reduces their fragrance. Thyme survives frost, but in areas with cold winters, use mulch. Thyme may be killed if winter temperatures drop below 10°F.
Harvest the leaves and flower tops just before the flowers bloom. Dry and store them in airtight containers to preserve the herb’s oil.