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Thymus vulgaris

Common name: Common Thyme Family: Labiatae
Author: L. Botanical references: 11, 200
Synonyms:  
Known Hazards: A comment has been made in one report on medicinal uses that the plant should be used with caution[21]. No explanation was given. It quite possibly refers to overuse of the essential oil. All essential oils, since they are so concentrated, can be harmful in large doses[K].
Range: S. Europe.
Habitat: Dry slopes, rocks and maquis. Always found on clay or limestone soils[89].
Edibility Rating (1-5): 4Medicinal Rating (1-5):3

Other Common Names:From various places around the Web, may not be correct. See below.
Common Thyme [H,E], Du Thym [E], Echte Tijm [D], English Thyme [H], French Thyme [H], Garden Thyme [B,H,P,L], Kekik [E], Pile [E], Summer Thyme [H], Tati-Zyako-So [E], Thym Grandes Feuilles [E], Thyme [S,E], Tomillo [E], Winter Thyme [H], Zombi Nan Bois [E],
Epithets:From a Dictionary of Botanical Epithets
vulgaris = common;
Systematics:From a USDA Plants Database
Order: Lamiales. Renamed to Lamiaceae -- Mint family
Other Range Info: From the Ethnobotany Database
Bahamas; Belgium; Britain; China; Dominican Republic; Europe; Haiti; Hungary; Mediterranean; Spain; Turkey

Physical Characteristics

An evergreen shrub growing to 0.2m by 0.3m . It is hardy to zone 7 and is not frost tender. It is in leaf all year, in flower from June to August. The scented flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by Bees, flies and Lepidoptera (Moths & Butterflies). It is noted for attracting wildlife. We rate it 4/5 for edibility and 3/5 for medicinal use.

The plant prefers light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils, requires well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. The plant prefers neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It requires dry or moist soil. The plant can tolerates strong winds but not maritime exposure.

Habitats and Possible Locations

Cultivated Beds, In Walls, In South Wall, In East Wall, In West Wall, Ground Cover.

Edible Uses

Condiment; Leaves; Tea.

Leaves and flowering tops - raw in salads, used as a garnish or added as a flavouring to cooked foods, going especially well with mushrooms and courgettes[2, 4, 21, 46, 183, 238]. It is an essential ingredient of the herb mix 'bouquet garni'[238]. It retains its flavour well in long slow cooking[200]. The leaves can be used either fresh or dried[183]. If the leaves are to be dried, the plants should be harvested in early and late summer just before the flowers open and the leaves should be dried quickly[200]. A nutritional analysis is available[218].
An aromatic tea is made from the fresh or dried leaves[21, 183]. Pungent and spicy[183].

Composition

Leaves (Dry weight)
In grammes per 100g weight of food:
Water: 7.8 Calories: 276 Protein: 9.1 Fat: 7.4 Carbohydrate: 63.9 Fibre: 18.6 Ash: 11.7
In milligrammes per 100g weight of food:
Calcium: 1890 Phosphorus: 201 Iron: 123.6 Magnesium: 220 Sodium: 55 Potassium: 814 Zinc: 6.2 VitaminA: 3800 Thiamine: 0.51 Riboflavin: 0.4 Niacin: 4.94
Source: [218]

Medicinal Uses

Disclaimer

Anthelmintic; Antiseptic; Antispasmodic; Aromatherapy; Carminative; Deodorant; Diaphoretic; Disinfectant; Expectorant; Sedative; Tonic.

Common thyme has a very long history of folk use for a wide range of ailments[218]. It is very rich in essential oils and these are the active ingredients responsible for most of the medicinal properties[218]. In particular, thyme is valued for its antiseptic and antioxidant properties, it is an excellent tonic and is used in treating respiratory diseases and a variety of other ailments[254].
The flowering tops are anthelmintic, strongly antiseptic, antispasmodic, carminative, deodorant, diaphoretic, disinfectant, expectorant, sedative and tonic[4, 7, 21, 200, 218]. The plant is used internally in the treatment of dry coughs, whooping cough, bronchitis, bronchial catarrh, asthma, laryngitis, indigestion, gastritis and diarrhoea and enuresis in children[238]. It should not be prescribed for pregnant women[238]. Externally, it is used in the treatment of tonsillitis, gum diseases, rheumatism, arthritis and fungal infections[238]. The plant can be used fresh at any time of the year, or it can be harvested as it comes into flower and either be distilled for the oil or dried for later use[238].
Thyme has an antioxidant effect, thus regular use of this herb improves the health and longevity of individual body cells and therefore prolongs the life of the body[254, K].
The essential oil is strongly antiseptic[4]. The whole herb is used in the treatment of digestive disorders, sore throats, fevers etc[4].
The essential oil is one of the most important oils used in aromatherapy[7, 210]. Its keyword is 'Bacterial'[210]. It is used especially in cases of exhaustion, depression, upper respiratory tract infections, skin and scalp complaints etc[238]. The oil can cause allergic reactions and irritation to the skin and mucous membranes[238].

We have a more details factsheet on the history and medicinal use of this plant. Email webmaster@pfaf.org for details.

Other Uses

Essential; Fungicide; Ground cover; Pot-pourri; Repellent.

An essential oil from the leaves is frequently used in perfumery, soaps, toothpastes, mouthwashes, medicinally etc[11, 21, 57, 89, 238]. It has fungicidal properties[171] and is also used to prevent mildew[218].
The leaves are dried and used in pot-pourri[238].
The plant makes an attractive ground cover for a sunny position[201]. Plants are best spaced about 30cm apart each way[208].
The dried flowers are used to repel moths from clothing[4] whilst the growing plant is said to repel cabbage root fly[18, 20].

Cultivation details

Prefers a light, dry calcareous soil and a sunny position[4, 7, 11, 27, 37]. Succeeds in dry soils, poor soils and tolerates drought once it is established[190]. Plants can be grown on old walls. Thymes dislike wet conditions, especially in the winter. A layer of gravel on the soil around them will help protect the foliage from wet soils[238].
Thyme is hardy to about -15°c[200], though it is even hardier when grown on old walls are in well-drained poor light soils[4].
Thyme is commonly grown in the herb garden, there are many named varieties[182]. It is also harvested commercially for its essential oil[218]. The leaves are very aromatic[190]. It is sometimes grown as an annual from seed when used for culinary purposes[200].
The flowers are rich in nectar and are very attractive to honey bees[4, 7, 200].
Thyme is a good companion for most plants[20, 54], it is said to repel cabbage root flies when grown near brassicas[18, 20].
This is a very difficult genus taxonomically, the species hybridize freely with each other and often intergrade into each other[200].

Propagation

Seed - sow spring in a cold frame. Seed can also be sown in autumn in a greenhouse. Surface sow or barely cover the seed. Germination can be erratic. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. The seed can keep for three years in normal storage[4].
Division in spring or autumn[200]. Larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found that it is best to pot up smaller divisions and grow them on in light shade in a greenhouse or cold frame until they are growing away well. Plant them out in the summer or the following spring.
Cuttings of young shoots, 5 - 8cm with a heel, May/June in a frame[200].
Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 5 - 8cm with a heel, July/August in a frame[200].
Layering.

Scent

Leaves: Crushed
The bruised leaves are very aromatic.

Cultivars

''
No entries have been made for this species as yet.

Suppliers

For more details of plant suppliers please see our Suppliers Page which lists many more places to look.

PFAF Web Pages

This plant is mentioned in the following web pages

Web References

References for thymus vulgaris (a possible synonym).

See the PFAF Links Pages for other sources.

Also try Photos and info from the The Plants Database which has 14,000 images.

References

[K] Ken Fern
Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.

[2] Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications 1972 ISBN 0-486-20459-6
Lots of entries, quite a lot of information in most entries and references.

[4] Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9
Not so modern (1930's?) but lots of information, mainly temperate plants.

[7] Chiej. R. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald 1984 ISBN 0-356-10541-5
Covers plants growing in Europe. Also gives other interesting information on the plants. Good photographs.

[11] Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981
A classic with a wealth of information on the plants, but poor on pictures.

[18] Philbrick H. and Gregg R. B. Companion Plants. Watkins 1979
Details of beneficial and antagonistic relationships between neighbouring plants.

[20] Riotte. L. Companion Planting for Successful Gardening. Garden Way, Vermont, USA. 1978 ISBN 0-88266-064-0
Fairly good.

[21] Lust. J. The Herb Book. Bantam books 1983 ISBN 0-553-23827-2
Lots of information tightly crammed into a fairly small book.

[27] Vilmorin. A. The Vegetable Garden. Ten Speed Press ISBN 0-89815-041-8
A reprint of a nineteenth century classic, giving details of vegetable varieties. Not really that informative though.

[37] Thompson. B. The Gardener's Assistant. Blackie and Son. 1878
Excellent general but extensive guide to gardening practices in the 19th century. A very good section on fruits and vegetables with many little known species.

[46] Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959
An excellent and very comprehensive guide but it only gives very short descriptions of the uses without any details of how to utilize the plants. Not for the casual reader.

[54] Hatfield. A. W. How to Enjoy your Weeds. Frederick Muller Ltd 1977 ISBN 0-584-10141-4
Interesting reading.

[57] Schery. R. W. Plants for Man.
Fairly readable but not very comprehensive. Deals with plants from around the world.

[89] Polunin. O. and Huxley. A. Flowers of the Mediterranean. Hogarth Press 1987 ISBN 0-7012-0784-1
A very readable pocket flora that is well illustrated. Gives some information on plant uses.

[171] Hill. A. F. Economic Botany. The Maple Press 1952
Not very comprehensive, but it is quite readable and goes into some a bit of detail about the plants it does cover.

[182] Thomas. G. S. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray 1992 ISBN 0-7195-5043-2
Contains a wide range of plants with a brief description, mainly of their ornamental value but also usually of cultivation details and varieties.

[183] Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9
Excellent. Contains a very wide range of conventional and unconventional food plants (including tropical) and where they can be obtained (mainly N. American nurseries but also research institutes and a lot of other nurseries from around the world.

[190] Chatto. B. The Dry Garden. Dent 1982 ISBN 0460045512
A good list of drought resistant plants with details on how to grow them.

[200] Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.

[201] Allardice.P. A - Z of Companion Planting. Cassell Publishers Ltd. 1993 ISBN 0-304-34324-2
A well produced and very readable book.

[208] Thomas. G. S. Plants for Ground Cover J. M. Dent & Sons 1990 ISBN 0-460-12609-1
An excellent detailled book on the subject, very comprehensive.

[210] Westwood. C. Aromatherapy - A guide for home use. Amberwood Publishing Ltd 1993 ISBN 0-9517723-0-9
An excellent little pocket guide. Very concise.

[218] Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. 1985 ISBN 0-917256-20-4
Details of over 1,200 medicinal plants of China and brief details of their uses. Often includes an analysis, or at least a list of constituents. Heavy going if you are not into the subject.

[238] Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995 ISBN 0-7513-020-31
A very well presented and informative book on herbs from around the globe. Plenty in it for both the casual reader and the serious student. Just one main quibble is the silly way of having two separate entries for each plant.

[245] Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. 1994 ISBN 0-7090-5440-8
An excellent, comprehensive book on scented plants giving a few other plant uses and brief cultivation details. There are no illustrations.

[254] Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London 1996 ISBN 9-780751-303148
An excellent guide to over 500 of the more well known medicinal herbs from around the world.

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Plant information taken from the Plants For A Future - Species Database. Copyright (c) 1997-2003.
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