Has anyone heard about thyme as a remedy?

August 12, 2002

Thymol is an antiseptic. Read the ingredients on the

back of major mouthwash brands and you'll see it as

one of their primary ingredients. I use it as one of

my main ingredients for herbal mouthwashes also. I

know that doesn't rerally answer your question for

your use but it is a useful herb in fighting most

things.

Good luck!

Nate

--- snowkitty912002 <janzabo wrote:

> I've bought some for the upcoming colder months

> (well, they don't

> start around here 'til November), but like

> clockwork, my son and I

> have been having problems with bronchitis, flu and

> colds starting in

> late fall for the past couple of years. Because I

> suspect some of the

> problems were caused by a very old carpet in our

> house (I kept it

> clean, but it had trapped lots of dirt and dust),

> and we got a new

> carpet last spring, maybe this coming year will be

> better for us. We

> also have a tree in our front yard that drops lots

> of leaves, and

> perhaps molds on those leaves cause problems.

>

> However, I've been thinking of natural immune

> boosters and natural

> antibiotics. I've bought oregano in the past, and

> it was so-so.

> Garlic seemed to have an effect. I can't use

> echinacea, because it

> causes a skin reaction and my eyelids swell.

>

> I read about how an extract of thyme, called thymol,

> was used for to

> combat the flu epidemic of 1918 while reading a

> history article. I

> thought it would be a good idea to add thyme to my

> arsenal for the

> winter. I wonder if anyone here has had experience

> with it.

>

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August 12, 2002

Thyme--Oh, now you're on one of my favorite topics. One of my favorite books is Heinermans Encyclopedia of Fruits, Vegetables and herbs. Heres the scoop on Thyme for those who don't know!!!

Thyme(Thymus vulgaris)

Europe's most renowned folk healer, the French herbalist Maurice Messegue, had this to say about thyme: "Grom my long years of experience as an herbalist, I can appreciate thyme because of its antiseptic qualities. It contains thymol and its smell destroys viruses and bacteria in the atmosphere as it destroys infectious germs in the body. I do not know any infection that cannot midigated if treated with this precious herb. It is an excellent weapon against epidemics and much cheaper than other means of controlling them From boils to typhoid and whitlows to tuberculosis, it is excellent beyond compare!" This puts thyme in the same realm as garlic, both being Natures antibiotics and replacements for pennicillin and various sulfa drugs."

Messegue devised various preparations-gargling(sore throat),mouthwash(bad breath,tooth decay,cold sores) and drinking (common cold, influenza, fever,allergies) make a tea by steeping a dozen sprigs of fresh thyme in 1 3/4 pints of boiling water, covered and away from the heat for half an hour. Strain and drink 3-4 cups daily.

External purposes-such as a hot compress on the chest to help break up lung congestion in cases of asthma, bronchitis, cold and flu or as a massage lotion for aching joints and muscles, put 1 1/2 handfuls of fresh thyme in 2 pints of boiling water, covered and away from the heat, and steep for 40 minutes. Strain and use.

Footbaths, handbaths and a douche were also used by him for promoting better blood circulation, getting rid of nail fungus and athlete's foot, reducing a fever and treating Candida albicans or yeast infection of the vagina. One handful of fresh thyme is added to 1 1/4 pinto of boiling water, covered and removed fromt he heat and steeped about 25 min. Strain and soak hands and feet in this solution while still somewhat hot; douch with it when lukewarm.

The above solutions may be used to bathe wounds and burns, in the form of compress on bumps and bruises and as a wash for sore eyes when moderately cool. Especially good for red eyes which have been irritated by the chlorinated water in public swimming pools.

For festering sores and boils of any kind-mix together 1 tsp ground thyme, 1/2 tsp lime juice, 1/2 tsp onion juice with just enough honey to form a soft sticky paste. Then apply directly on the sores or boils, leaving for 12 hours or so. Change again or wash away when showering or bathing and apply some new paste. Makes them heal a lot faster.

A health liqueur for tonic and preventative purposes may be made by soaking 6 fresh or dried sprigs of thyme in 1 1/2 cups of fine brandy for 5 days, shaking several times each day. Taking several teaspoonfuls of this throughout the day when you feel a cold or flu coming on, will prevent it or lessen the seriousness of them if you come down with it. This also tonifies the stomach and stimulates the appetite a little when a person doesn't especially feel like eating but needs to for sustenance.

Messegue came us with an herbal toothpaste made of 3 handfuls of fresh thyme, which hs been lightly crushed with a rolling pin, in 1 cup brandy for about 5 hours. A soft-to-medium bristled brush can then be dipped in this solution and the teeth cleaned each day. This solution is good for about 4-6 brushings before more needs to be made.

A salve can be made at home for helping to heal cuts, bruises, rash and so forth on the skin, especially in the area of the face, neck, throat, and forehead. But its use also extends to burns, wounds and sores located elsewhere on the body as well.(have recipe,too lazy to type it--ask if you want it)

Thymol also helps to relax tense muscles and tight blood vessels. To help relieve migraine headaches or stomach cramps, just make a tea out of fresh or dried thyme, according to any of the previous directions and drink 1 cup of warm tea on an empty stomach before laying down for awhile. Also soak a small cloth dish towel in some of the hot tea, wringing out the excess and apply across the forehead and lay another dry hand towel over that to relain the heat longer. Change several times when it turns cold and continue the process for about an hour before getting up. Having the hot tea beside you on the couch will prevent you from having to get up ever so often or you should have someone help you.

Thyme is one of several aromatic herbs(peppermint, rosemary,sage and savory), which are handy to use in purifying water in courtries such as Mexico, Spain, Portugal, Greece, Italy and believe it or not, parts of the Soviet Union where drinking waters are in serious question as to purity. About 1 good handful of cut thyme to 1 gallon water. Cover and boil, then reduce heat and simmer, covered for 20 minutes. Strain and you now have safe drinking water that won't give you any more diarrhea and fever.

~~I enjoy learning about simple ways to help ourselves, and this is one of the simpliest methods. I want you all to realize that there are many herbs, and many will treat the same things Thyme will, so realize that we have many herbs to choose from, when one is not available, look for another.

Elaine~~

-

snowkitty912002

twobears

Monday, August 12, 2002 2:41 AM

[herbal remedies] Has anyone heard about thyme as a remedy?

I read about how an extract of thyme, called thymol, was used for to combat the flu epidemic of 1918 while reading a history article. I thought it would be a good idea to add thyme to my arsenal for the winter. I wonder if anyone here has had experience with it.