Thyme is used to season all kinds of dishes, either by itself or as part of a blend or bouquet garni alongside other common herbs like rosemary, sage, and marjoram. Fit for every diet and very rarely considered an allergen, thyme can be consumed by anyone looking
Is common thyme edible?
Both types are edible, but creeping thymes are usually small and tedious to harvest and are therefore more valuable as ground covers. Garden thyme (Thymus vulgaris), also known as common, English, or French thyme, is most often used as a seasoning. The flavor of this hardy perennial is pungent and strong.
What thyme is not edible?
All thymes (and there are over 350 species in the genus Thymus) are edible and this includes varieties usually thought of as ornamental or medicinal. However, some are more popular in cooking than others.
Is thyme poisonous?
Commonly used for cooking, thyme is considered safe when used in normal food amounts. It also appears to be well-tolerated in dietary supplement forms. However, the overconsumption of thyme may cause upset stomach, cramps, headaches, and dizziness.
Can you eat thyme raw?
Can you eat raw thyme leaves? Thyme (thymus vulgaris) is an herb that can be consumed fresh or dried. Like other herbs and spices, it’s packed with disease-fighting nutrients and antioxidants. The easiest way to make this common herb a part of your regular diet to make sure you keep some dried thyme in your kitchen.
What types of thyme are edible?
But when it comes to the kitchen, the players are few. There are only about half a dozen considered suitable for cooking. Out of this group, I find four to be most useful: French thyme, lemon thyme, oregano-scented thyme, and caraway thyme. French thyme (Thymus vulgaris) is the one that most people know.
What is the most common thyme for cooking?
Common thyme and lemon thyme are the varieties most often used in cooking. Lemon thyme looks similar to common thyme but offers a distinctive lemon aroma and flavor. You may also encounter woolly thyme, creeping thyme, wild thyme, and elfin thyme—all of which are better suited for rock garden filler than culinary use.
What is the difference between thyme and wild thyme?
—Medicinal Action and Uses—In medicine, Wild Thyme or Serpolet has the same properties as Common Thyme, but to an inferior degree. It is aromatic, antiseptic, stimulant, antispasmodic, diuretic and emmenagogue.
Can you cook with mother-of-thyme?
Mother of thyme may be added to stews and soups for flavoring purposes. Despite its fragile appearance, this vigorous herb does best in average soil. In fact, too much fertilizer or water can harm the plant by making it grow too quickly, risking damage from winter freezes.
Can you eat English thyme?
English thyme is a low-growing plant with fragrant leaves. This herb goes well with just about everything. Add it (fresh or dried) to blended herb mixtures, or use in soups, sauces, beans, meat dishes, and more.
What does thyme do to the body?
Thyme contains chemicals that might help bacterial and fungal infections. It also might help relieve coughing and have antioxidant effects. People commonly use thyme for cough, patchy hair loss (alopecia areata), dementia, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
Are thyme stems poisonous?
When you have an herb such as thyme, it works great to put whole sprigs in your recipe. When you are cooking the dish some of the leaves may come off bu the stem stays intact and you can simply remove the stems when you are done. Alternatively, you can pluck the leaves and add them to your dish.
Does thyme make you sleepy?
Did you know that thyme contains an anxiolytic active ingredient that could be beneficial to sleep? Thyme can therefore help anxious people to relax, much like its friend verbena.
Does thyme raise blood pressure?
Thyme is a flavorful herb packed with numerous healthy compounds. Rosmarinic acid is one such compound. Research has linked it to many benefits, such as reduced inflammation and blood sugar levels, as well as increased blood flow. It may also help reduce blood pressure ( 25 , 26 ).
How do you eat raw thyme?
Put it on the counter and roll it firmly on the table with the palm of your hand. You will feel the skin start to give. Now cut it in half and squeeze it using a lemon squeezer. You will be amazed how much more juice there is compared to that of a regular green lime.
Is thyme good for your lungs?
Respiratory Support
Thyme is great for respiratory health as well, with some clinical studies showing its use in soothing coughs and relieving chest congestion. While fresh thyme is the most helpful for this, the essential thyme oils available in thyme tea may have some of these benefits, too.
What can I do with wild thyme?
The flowering parts of the plant are used to make medicine. People take wild thyme for breathing problems including cough, bronchitis, and swollen airways. They also take it for kidney and bladder disorders, to improve blood circulation, to lower bad cholesterol, and to treat intestinal gas and colic.
How do you identify wild thyme?
Wild thyme is most recognizable by its distinctive scent, which is released as soon as the leaves are rubbed against or crushed underfoot. All plants in the thyme genus smell similarly musky, rich and aromatic, although there will be slight variances between species.
What is the difference between English thyme and regular thyme?
The most popular thyme is English thyme (Thymus vulgaris). English thyme is not native to England—the Romans introduced the herb—but the Brits took it on as their own. It has the strong, distinctive flavor that we most associate with the herb today. Another good culinary option is French thyme (Thymus vulgaris).
Which is the best thyme?
Top 10 Thyme Varieties
- Creeping Pink Thyme.
- Elfin Thyme.
- Juniper Thyme.
- Lavender Thyme.
- Italian Oregano Thyme.
- Silver Thyme.
- Caraway Thyme.
- Pennsylvania Dutch Tea Thyme. As its name suggests, Pennsylvania Dutch Tea is perfect (fresh or dried) for tea-brewing, and can be substituted for any recipe calling for English thyme.
Are thyme flowers edible?
Thyme is a widely used culinary and aromatic herb, that is also grown for its ornamental and edible purple flowers.
Gerardo Gonzalez loves cooking. He became interested in it at a young age, and has been honing his skills ever since. He enjoys experimenting with new recipes, and is always looking for ways to improve his technique.
Gerardo’s friends and family are the lucky beneficiaries of his delicious cooking. They always enjoy trying out his latest creations, and often give him feedback on how he can make them even better. Gerardo takes their input to heart, and uses it to continue refining his culinary skills.