Thymus vulgaris (Thyme)
- Shanti Bants
- Jan 3, 2025
- 5 min read
Common name(s): Thyme, Common Thyme, Garden Thyme, German Thyme, Cimbru
A well known edible, medicinal and support plant used often for it's antiseptic properties in treating respiratory illnesses. Thymes anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties are very effective and used in many commercially used products.
Environment
Origin: Southern Europe, Zone 7-10
Thymus vulgaris is naturally found in southern Europe from Spain to southern France and Italy in the Mediterranean region growing in open fields or on dry rocky slopes from sea level to an altitude of 1,000 m (3,280 ft). It is also widely cultivated in the United Kingdom, United States and Australia for its culinary purposes.
Identification
Taxonomy: Plantae > Tracheophyta > Magnoliopsida > Lamiales > Lamiaceae > Thymus > Thymus vulgaris
Height: 0.1 - 0.3 m (0 - 1 ft)
Width: 0.4 m (1 ft)
Foliage Type: Evergreen
Habit: Spreading-ascending
Bark Type: Woody
Leaf: The grey-green elliptical to linear leaves are covered in fine hairs and are up to 15 mm (2/3 in) long. They are aromatic when crushed and contain an oil called thymol.
Flower: The small 5 mm (¼ in) long 2 lipped campanulate flowers have 5 used sepals forming a 2 -lipped tube with the upper one having 3 teeth. The throat is bearded and broad and the flowers are arranged in an axillary whorled raceme that appears from late spring to early summer.
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Pollinator: Bees, Flies, Lepidoptera
Flower Time: Oct - Dec (SH) | Apr - Jun (NH)
Fruit: The tiny nut produces numerous small seeds that are very viable but the plant may be reproduced vegetatively.
Fruit Time: Dec - Feb (SH) | Jun - Aug (NH)
Cultivars:
'Aureus'
This Plant Has Leaves That Are Variegated With Yellow.
'Silver Posie'
This Plant Has Leaves With White Marginal Markings.
Cultivation
Growth Type: Shrub
Climate: Temperate
Natural Soil: Well drained poor, dry sandy-stony to light loamy soil, alkaline pH 6.5-8.5
Aspect: Full sun, open to exposed position, drought tolerant, heavy-frost tender
Propagation: seed, cutting, division
Sow fresh seed during early spring in pots and in cold climates place in a cold frame.
Take soft tip cuttings in spring and semi hardwood cuttings taken during summer.
Divide established clumps during spring.
Pruning: May require an annual light trim after flowering to thicken up or to contain
Fertilising: Not normally required, if container grown apply liquid fertiliser monthly
Attracts: birds
Allies:Important:
Pest and Disease: Bayeriola thymicola, Cerococcus corymbosus, Chrysolina americana (rosemary beetle), Diaspidiotus labiatarum, Diaspidiotus thymbrae, Diaspidiotus thymicola, Eriococcus thymi (heather scale), Heliococcus minutus, Longitarsus obliteratus, Peliococcus proeminens, Prodontria modesta, Pseudophilotes abencerragus, Spinococcus marrubii (hoarhound mealybug)
Harvest
Edible Parts: leaves, flower
Edible Uses:
Leaves and flowering tops - raw or cooked.
The leaves can be used either fresh or dried. 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.
An aromatic tea is made from the fresh or dried leaves.
Medicinal Parts: Whole plant
Medicinal Uses: In particular, thyme is valued for its antiseptic and antioxidant properties, it is an excellent tonic and is used in treating respiratory diseases.
The flowering tops are anthelmintic, strongly antiseptic, antispasmodic, carminative, deodorant, diaphoretic, disinfectant, expectorant, sedative and tonic.
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.
Externally, it is used in the treatment of tonsillitis, gum diseases, rheumatism, arthritis and fungal infections.
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.
The essential oil is strongly antiseptic. The essential oil is one of the most important oils used in aromatherapy, its keyword is 'Bacterial'
The whole herb is used in the treatment of digestive disorders, sore throats, fevers. It is used especially in cases of exhaustion, depression, upper respiratory tract infections, skin and scalp complaints.
Support Uses:An essential oil from the leaves is frequently used in perfumery, soaps, toothpastes, mouthwashes, and medicine.
It has fungicidal properties and is also used to prevent mildew.
The plant makes an attractive ground cover for a sunny position. Plants are best spaced about 30cm apart each way.
The dried flowers are used to repel moths from clothing whilst the growing plant is said to repel cabbage root fly.
Warnings: It should not be prescribed for pregnant women.
The oil can cause allergic reactions and irritation to the skin and mucous membranes. Dilute oil in carrier oil before topical use.
Avoid if inflammatory disease of the gastrointestinal tract.
Caution if sensitive to grasses.
Allergen Potential: Medium
Chemical Constituents
alpha-Thujene, alpha-Pinene, beta-Pinene, beta-Myrcene, alpha-Phellandrene, Carene<δ-2->, D-Limonene, beta-Phellandrene, para-Cymene, gamma-Terpinene, Terpineol, Terpinen-4-ol, Thymol, Caryophyllene, Cyclohexene, 1-methyl-4-(5-methyl-1-methylene-4-hexenyl)
Nutritional Information
Food Name: Thyme, dried, ground
Energy, with dietary fibre (kJ): 120
Energy, without dietary fibre (kJ): 83
Moisture (g): 89.6
Protein (g): 1.5
Total fat (g): 0.3
Available carbohydrates, with sugar alcohols (g): 2.6
Available carbohydrates, without sugar alcohol (g): 2.6
Starch (g): 0T
otal sugars (g): 2.6
Added sugars (g): 0
Free sugars (g): 0
Dietary fibre (g): 4.7
Alcohol (g): 0Ash (g): 0.9
Preformed vitamin A (retinol) (µg): 0
Beta-carotene (µg): 2230
Provitamin A (b-carotene equivalents) (µg): 2300
Vitamin A retinol equivalents (µg): 383
Thiamin (B1) (mg): 0.06
Riboflavin (B2) (mg): 0.21
Niacin (B3) (mg): 0.7
Niacin derived equivalents (mg): 0.99
Folate, natural (µg): 105
Folic acid (µg): 0
Total Folates (µg): 105
Dietary folate equivalents (µg): 105
Vitamin B6 (mg): 0.14
Vitamin B12 (µg): 0
Vitamin C (mg): 29
Alpha-tocopherol (mg): 0.2
Vitamin E (mg): 0.21
Calcium (Ca) (mg): 90
Iodine (I) (µg): 6.6
Iron (Fe) (mg): 2.8
Magnesium (Mg) (mg): 12
Phosphorus (P) (mg): 58
Potassium (K) (mg): 210
Selenium (Se) (µg): 0.9
Sodium (Na) (mg): 7
Zinc (Zn) (mg): 0.4
Caffeine (mg): 0
Cholesterol (mg): 0
Tryptophan (mg): 17
Total saturated fat (g): 0
Total monounsaturated fat (g): 0
Total polyunsaturated fat (g): 0
Linoleic acid (g): 0
Alpha-linolenic acid (g): 0
C20:5w3 Eicosapentaenoic (mg): 0
C22:5w3 Docosapentaenoic (mg): 0
C22:6w3 Docosahexaenoic (mg): 0
Total long chain omega 3 fatty acids (mg): 0
Total trans fatty acids (mg): 0
References
Borugă, O., Jianu, C., Mişcă, C., Goleţ, I., Gruia, A. T., & Horhat, F. G. (2014). Thymus vulgaris essential oil: chemical composition and antimicrobial activity. Journal of medicine and life, 7 Spec No. 3(Spec Iss 3), 56–60.
Kirkland, P. (2024). Thymus vulgaris. Plant File, record 1507. https://www.plantfileonline.net/McClure
S & Roth, S (1995) Companion Planting. Lothian Succesful Gardening. ISBN: 0 85091 691 7
Plants For A Future contributors (2024). Thymus vulgaris - L. Plants For A Future. https://pfaf.org/User/plant.aspx?LatinName=Thymus+vulgaris
Tancred, J., Allardice, P., Stackhouse, J., Akeroyd, S., & Wharton, L. (2007). Natures Medicines. Readers Digest Association. ISBN: 1 876689 16 1
Unknown. (2023). Thymus vulgaris (garden thyme). World Species. Retrieved from https://worldspecies.org/ntaxa/869122
Unknown. (2023). Australian Food Composition Database downloadable files: Nutrition File. Food Standards Australia. Retrieved 30/06/2024 from https://www.foodstandards.gov.au/science-data/monitoringnutrients/afcd/australian-food-composition-database-download-excel-files
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