Thyme
A Mediterranean herb used in cooking, medicine, and ornament.
It is a low-growing, hardy perennial with small, fragrant leaves and thin, woody stems.[1] Dried aerial parts of plants from the genus Thymus, which are flowering plants in the mint family Lamiaceae, are used as a culinary herb known as thyme, and these plants are indigenous to Mediterranean regions including North Africa, the Levant, and Southern Europe.[2] Thyme can be purchased in either fresh or dried form, and fresh thyme is often sold as bunches of sprigs.[3][4]
Quick Facts
- Serving size
- 100 g
- Calories
- 101
- Protein
- 6
- Carbohydrate
- 24
Facts from the source article.
Key facts and history
The name of the fish genus Thymallus originates from the faint smell of thyme in the flesh of grayling.[5] The Romans are credited with introducing thyme across Europe; they utilized it for purifying living spaces and for adding flavor to cheese and liqueurs.[6][7] During the medieval period in Europe, people put thyme under their pillows to encourage sleep and to keep away bad dreams.[6] Knights and warriors were given gifts containing thyme leaves by women, as it was thought to make the recipient courageous.[6]
At funerals, thyme served as incense and was also laid upon coffins because it was believed to help secure the deceased's journey to the afterlife.[8] For optimal growth, thyme requires a location that is hot and sunny, with soil that drains well, and it is planted in the spring as a perennial.[9] Propagation of thyme is possible through seeds, cuttings, or by dividing rooted sections, and the plant has good tolerance for drought conditions.[9] Bouquet garni and herbes de Provence are two culinary mixtures that commonly include thyme as an ingredient.[10]
What the cited sources add
A 1931 herbal by Grieve notes that Garden Thyme is an improved form of Wild Thyme from Mediterranean mountains, and that the narrow-leaved variety is more aromatic.[7] Grieve also states that the name "Thyme" comes from a Greek word meaning "to fumigate," referencing its use as incense.[7] Medical News Today reports that a 2023 study found thyme can reduce systolic and diastolic blood pressure, though further research is needed.[11] The same source states that a 2023 study found thyme oil decreases breast cancer cell viability by 50%.[11]
The Almanac notes that thyme comes in over 50 varieties and that fresh thyme should be stored refrigerated, lasting 1 to 2 weeks.[1] Grieve adds that thyme roots extract soil goodness, so subsequent plants need deeper trenching and manure.[7]
References
- "Thyme", Almanac.com. facts only, no text reused. almanac.com
- Wikipedia, "Thyme" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: Norman, "Herb and Spices The Cook's Reference: Over 200 Herbs and Spices, with Recipes for Marinades, Spice Rubs, Oils and more", Dorling Kindersley Limited, 2015, p. 96–99 (original not read by us) en.wikipedia.org
- Wikipedia, "Thyme" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: "Food Storage - How Long Can You Keep Thyme"; "7 Herbs That Taste Good When Dried", The Spruce (we also read that source) en.wikipedia.org
- Wikipedia, "Thyme" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: "Thyme", Almanac.com (we also read that source) en.wikipedia.org
- Wikipedia, "Thyme" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: "The Ecology and Management of the European Grayling Thymallus thymallus (Linnaeus)", Institute of Freshwater Ecology, p. 3 (original not read by us) en.wikipedia.org
- Wikipedia, "Thyme" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: Grieve, "A Modern Herbal", 1931; "New RHS Dictionary of Gardening", Macmillan, 1992 (we also read that source) en.wikipedia.org
- Grieve, "A Modern Herbal", 1931. facts only, no text reused. botanical.com
- Wikipedia, "Thyme" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: "Thyme (thymus)", English Plants (original not read by us) en.wikipedia.org
- Wikipedia, "Thyme" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: "Herb File. Global Garden", global-garden.com.au; Peter, "Handbook of herbs and spices Volume 2", 2012 (original not read by us) en.wikipedia.org
- Wikipedia, "Thyme" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: Walker, "What Is a Bouquet Garni? Easy Homemade Bouquet Garni Recipe, Plus Tips for Cooking With Bouquet Garni - 2022 - MasterClass", Masterclass, 2 September 2021 (original not read by us) en.wikipedia.org
- "Medical News Today - What are the benefits of thyme?", MedicalNewsToday, 23 August 2018. facts only, no text reused. medicalnewstoday.com
Each numbered sentence above was checked against the source it cites before publication. Sentences citing Wikipedia adapt text from the English Wikipedia article Thyme (contributors), used under CC BY-SA 4.0; this entry is available under the same licence. Other sources were used for facts only; no text or images are copied from them.
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