Thyme: More Than a Kitchen Herb

Thyme is one of the most useful plants in the kitchen. It flavors roasts, soups and stews, and grows happily in a small pot on a sunny windowsill.

A long tradition

The ancient Greeks and Romans used thyme in cooking and in rituals. In many European homes, a warm drink of thyme and honey was a common winter tradition when someone had a tickly throat.

What we know

Thyme contains a strong-smelling oil called thymol. Thyme has been studied, often together with other herbs, as part of cough syrups in some European countries. For a simple home tea, think of it as a warm, comforting drink, not as a medicine.

A warm thyme and honey drink

• Put a few sprigs of fresh thyme, or one teaspoon of dried thyme, in a cup.
• Pour on hot water, cover and steep for about ten minutes.
• Strain and stir in a spoon of honey.

Never give honey to babies under one year old.

Growing thyme

Thyme likes sun, poor soil and not too much water. It is a perfect plant for a sunny pot or the edge of a path. Cut it back after flowering to keep it bushy.

Safety notes

• Thyme in food and tea is generally considered safe for most adults.
• Thyme essential oil is very strong and should never be swallowed or used undiluted on the skin.
• If a cough lasts more than a couple of weeks, if you have a fever, or trouble breathing, see a doctor.

The everyday herb

Thyme shows that many "medicinal" herbs are also simply good food. Using them in cooking is one of the easiest ways to bring them into daily life.