Thymus, Thyme

Serpyllum, Mother of Thyme

Mother of Thyme: Serpillum, Serpyllum, Quendel
–Ajagandha (Ayurveda)
–Hasha, Jangali Pudina (Unani)

Thyme
Ortus Sanitatis, Meydenbach, 1491

Serpyllum
Ortus Sanitatis, Meydenbach, 1491

Thyme (Left), Mother of Thyme (Right)
New Kreuterbuch, Matthiolus, 1563

Thyme
Koehler's Medizinal Pflanzen, 1887

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Botanical name:
Thymus vulgaris; T. serpillum is Mother of Thyme
Small-leaved (most common), Broad-leaved, Headed and Unscented types were known
Lemon-scented Thyme was sometimes called for, as in Tincture of Lemon Thyme

Parts used:
Herb

Temperature & Taste:
Warm, dry. Pungent

Classifications:
2A APERIENT.    2D ATTENUATERS OF CONGEALED BLOOD.    2J. RAREFYING
3G. EMMENAGOGUE.    3K. EXPECTORANT
4f. SPLENETIC.    4i. UTERINE.    4j. NERVINE
Preparers and Purgers of Melancholy

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Uses:
1. Clears Wind-Cold, Resists Poison, Promotes Sweat:
-prevents and treats acute infectious and epidemic disease including Colds, Flu
-Cough due to Wind and Cold
-acute infections of the Lungs, Urinary system, or digestive system.

2. Clears Cold Phlegm, Benefits the Lungs, Stops Cough and Wheezing:
-irritable and spasmodic Coughs, including that of Whooping Cough, acute or chronic Bronchitis
-Asthma, Emphysema, shortness of Breath, Chest pain
-swollen, sore Throat (West, TCM)

3. Calms the Mind, Clears Wind, Stops Spasms:
-Headache, Dizziness, Fearfulness, Melancholy and Epilepsy.
-especially useful for Nightmares.
-Sciatica and chronic pains of the Head. The flowers have also been used as a stimulant in Lethargy.

4. Prepares Melancholy:
-Thyme was often used for Melancholy, both of the Mind, but also to help purge the Melancholy Humor.
-Galen said it eradicated Melancholy or any other humor from the Spleen

5. Warms the Uterus, Moves the Blood, Promotes Menstruation:
-promotes menstruation when obstructed by cold, or congealed blood
-leukorrhea from cold and damp, as well as frigidity.

6. Warms the Stomach, Clears Cold:
-Colic, Dyspepsia, and against gastric fermentation;
-Diarrhea, Gastroenteritis
-Abdominal Pain, Abdominal Cramps, and Vomiting from cold. (TCM, West)

7. Clears Damp, Promotes Urine:
-obstructed Urine (Unani)

8. Kills Worms:
-Hookworm, Tapeworm, but also Thread, and Roundworms. (Oil is best)

9. Externally:
Clears Poison, Eases Pain, Reduces swelling:
-applied to Abscess, Swellings, Warts, Eczema, Psoriasis, Ringworm and roughness of the Skin
-beaten with vinegar and applied to Warts: "It dissolves Warts". (Avicenna)
-Hildegard used it for Leprosy.
-joint pain, Gout, and Sciatica
-wash or bath for Paralytic or Wasting Limbs
-topically for pain and swelling of the Liver or Spleen
-applied to swollen Testicles.
-bruised with vinegar and applied over bruising and blood clots (Unani)
-topically for Hair loss and Alopecia (with vinegar)
-mouthwash for pain and swelling of the Teeth and Gums.
-repels Mosquitoes

Dose:
Powder: 1–3 grams
Decoction: 3–6 grams (added towards the end)

Substitutes:
1. In general, Thyme and Mother of Thyme can replace one another, with the latter regarded as stronger.

Main Combinations:
Anise & Thyme

1. Thyme is very often combined with Aniseed for 2 totally separate functions:
i. used for Cold-Phlegm and acute Wind-Cold Coughs, Bronchitis, Asthma etc., with Licorice, Coltsfoot, Plantain etc.
ii. used for Spleen Damp and Melancholy, with Dodder, Polypody etc
2. Acute Sore Throat:
i. Thyme with Sage as a gargle
ii. Thyme with ... available in PRO version
iii. Thyme with ... available in PRO version
3. Whooping Cough:
i. Thyme with ... available in PRO version
ii. Thyme with ... available in PRO version
iii. Thyme with ... available in PRO version
iv. Thyme with ... available in PRO version
4. Cough:
i. in infants, Thyme with ... available in PRO version
ii. Cold Cough, Thyme with ... available in PRO version
5. Cough and Bronchitis, Thyme with ... available in PRO version
6. Asthma and Bronchitis, Thyme with ... available in PRO version
7. Promote Menstruation:
i. Thyme with ... available in PRO version
ii. Mother of Thyme with ... available in PRO version
8. Nightmares, combine Thyme with Camomile
9. Abscess, Thyme with ... available in PRO version
10. Bath for Rheumatism and to strengthen, Thyme ... available in PRO version

Major Formulas:
Decoction of Thyme
Decoction of Thyme of Andernacus
Decoction of Parsley and Thyme
Decoction for Chlorosis
Decoction for Cold Coughs (Nicolas Myrepsus)
Syrup of Betony (Pharmacopoeia Augustana)
Syrup of Horehound (Fernelius)
Powder of Three Peppers (Diatrion Piperion) (Mesue)
Electuary of Hyssop (Diahyssopus) (Nicholas)
Indian Pills (Mesue)

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Cautions:
1. Not used in full doses during pregnancy

Main Preparations used:
Distilled Water of the flowering Herb, Spirit, Distilled Oil, Tincture of Lemon Thyme