Breckland Thyme
It is probably one of the most popular herbs used in folk medicine, and it grows in fields, along roads, and by the sea. Other names are Creeping Thyme, Mother of Thyme, Wild Thyme.
Usage
Breathing problems
It’s been used to treat bronchitis, and other respiratory conditions.
Digestion
Breckland Thyme helps with indigestion, upset stomach and gas.
Congestion & Mucus
Because of its expectorant properties, it’s also helps with congestion and chest colds and can assist in breaking up mucus.
How to add breckland thyme to your diet?
Make a Tea
Thyme has a nice smell, and it’s great to be taken during winter to help soothe sore throats.
Fresh and dried for cooking
Thyme pairs well with meats of all kinds, soups, eggs, pastas, vegetables and beans.
Thyme with other herbs
Great to use to flavor food with other spices and herbs like parsley, chives, thyme or basil.
The ancient Romans believed that this aromatic plant scares off snakes, scorpions, and other poisonous animals.
Pink to lilac flowers create round flowers on the tops of the stems, with a strong and pleasant scent.
It grows on sunny dry slopes, rocky places, pastures, meadows, in parks, gardens, in fields, along roads, and by the sea.
It originates from Central Europe and Western Siberia but is widespread throughout Europe and Asia.
About
Thymus serpyllum is a perennial 20-30 cm tall, bushy plant. The leaves are of unequal size and shape, from linear to round, ovate, lanceolate, uninterrupted along the edge, rough, almost leathery.
For a quality yield, thyme requires a lot of light and heat. It is suitable for medium-light, permeable soils with enough moisture. Irrigation is usually needed for a satisfactory yield. propagated by direct sowing, seedling production, and division.
Composition
The use of thyme is based on the content of essential oil. The dry herb contains about 0.6% of essential oil, which consists mainly of cineole, while thymol is present in a smaller amount. In addition to essential oil, the dry herb also contains tannins (about 7%), flavonoids, bitter substances, phenyl carboxylic acid, and 40-50 mg of vitamin C per 100 g of dry drug.
The entire above-ground part of the plant is collected in flowers (Serpylli herba). It dries in the shade. After drying, the coarse twigs are discarded manually.
Essential oil of this plant gained popularity due to its phytochemical composition, which is generally affected by geographic region, plant phenophase, habitat, and climatic conditions.
Science
It has an ever-growing number of uses in contemporary medicine due to its pharmacological properties: antioxidative, antimicrobial, and anti-cancerogenic activities. The properties of the essential oil are related to the cumulative effect of its components. Further research into the effects of essential oil will establish the precise mode of action as well as the general recommendation for use.
Safety
Breckland thyme is safe, in general, when used according to recommendations. However, the essential oil can be toxic orally. In sensitive individuals, it can cause digestive issues, sudden headaches, or dizziness.
Also, it may slow blood clotting. While tea is generally safe for most people, like all foods and drinks, it may not be for everyone. Those on blood thinners or other chronic illnesses medication should check with their doctors before drinking thyme tea or avoid it completely. Individuals with hormonal imbalances or similar conditions should avoid it as well.
Fun Facts
The Saxons immersed Breckland thyme in water in which children bathe, in order to improve their stamina and physical strength.
Sources
Pruteanu, A., Popescu, C., Vladut, V., & Gageanu, G. (2018). Biochemical analysis of some vegetal extracts obtained from indigenous spontaneous species of Thymus serpyllum L. Romanian Biotechnological Letters, 23(5), 14013-14024.
Samein, N. M., & Kamel, F. H. (2019). EXTRACTION OF COMPOUNDS FROM THYME LEAVES AND THIER ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITY. Diyala Journal of Agricultural Sciences, 11(1).