
What foods do you use Thyme with?
Thyme is typically used in savory dishes like braised or roasted meat, vegetables, or fish, as well as in savory baking. It can also be used to add flavor and depth to marinades, soups and stocks, cocktail elements, and teas. Old Thyme Sour Cocktail. Grilled Salmon With Thyme and Lemon. Walnut Honey and Thyme Goat Cheese Toast.
What are the nutritional benefits of thyme?
- Has more potassium, iron and calcium
- Shared many of the health benefits of thyme; is used for respiratory tract disorders, such as coughs, asthma, croup and bronchitis
- Also used for GI disorders, such as heartburn and bloating
- Can help treat menstrual cramps, rheumatoid arthritis, UTIs, headaches and heart conditions
Is it safe to eat thyme?
When taken by mouth: Thyme is LIKELY SAFE when consumed in normal food amounts. Thyme is POSSIBLY SAFE when taken by mouth as medicine for short periods of time. In some people, it can cause digestive system upset, headache, or dizziness.
Can You substitue Fresh Thyme for dried thyme?
Dried thyme can be substituted for fresh thyme in most recipes. However, that does not mean that you can just replace the fresh thyme your recipe calls for with an equal amount of dried thyme. Use the following conversion ratio if you are planning to substitute dried thyme for fresh thyme.

Is it okay to eat thyme?
Cooking With Fresh Thyme Fresh thyme can be added to a recipe whole with the stem, or the leaves can be removed from the stem and then sprinkled into a dish. If a recipe calls for a "sprig" of thyme, the leaves and stem should be kept intact.
Is thyme safe to eat raw?
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. This herb has a long history of use in natural medicine and a proven track record as a natural medicine that can fight off bacteria.
Who should not eat thyme?
Scientists have theorized that thyme can make hormone-sensitive conditions worse. 6 For that reason, women with breast cancer, uterine cancer, ovarian cancer, endometriosis, or uterine fibroids should be cautious about using thyme.
What does thyme do for the body?
Thyme essential oil is often used for aromatic and therapeutic purposes because of its active substance, carvacrol. In a 2013 animal study , carvacrol was shown to increase concentrations of serotonin and dopamine, two hormones that regulate mood.
What happens if you eat too much thyme?
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.
Is it OK to eat thyme stems?
The stems of thyme are edible but are typically too woody to enjoy. The leaves are really what you are after, but leaving the leaves attached to the stem saves prep time. You can just remove and discard the stem and any attached leaves after cooking.
Can fresh thyme make you sick?
Thyme is LIKELY SAFE when consumed in normal food amounts. Thyme is POSSIBLY SAFE when taken as medicine for short periods of time. It can cause digestive system upset. Thyme oil is POSSIBLY SAFE when applied to the skin.
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 ).
Is dried thyme as good as fresh?
While you can use fresh herbs, after cooking them for 10 minutes or longer, the natural oils that make the herbs taste fresh are released. This means that even if fresh herbs are used, they will have the same impact as dried ones. In stovetop recipes, dried herbs generally work the same, or better than fresh herbs.
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.
Can I drink thyme tea daily?
Prepare it as a tea. Put a teaspoon of thyme in boiling water, let it stand for 10 minutes and then strain. Add a drop of lemon juice to enhance its disinfectant qualities. You can drink up to three cups a day.
Is drinking thyme tea good for you?
It contains essential vitamins and minerals As Poon points out, fresh thyme contains vitamins A and C, copper, fiber, iron, and manganese—all of which are present, to some degree, in its tea form as well. Vitamins A and C, in particular, can help give your body's infection-fighting forces a boost.
How do you eat fresh thyme?
Thyme (fresh and dried) pairs well with meats of all kinds, chicken, stews, soups, eggs, pastas, vegetables and beans. Fresh thyme is nice with fish and seafood. Think of thyme when you are making lasagna, sautéing or roasting vegetables, roasting chicken, pork, lamb, or beef, and making any sort of potato dish.
How do you consume thyme?
You can also use dried thyme, but remember to strain the leaves from your drink to avoid unpleasant textures. For fresh leaves, add several sprigs of thyme to a cup of boiling water and let steep for 5 to 8 minutes. If any leaves fall off the sprigs and into your water, you can strain them before drinking.
What part of the thyme plant do we eat?
Both the leaves and the flowers are edible. You can use the stems, but they might be a bit woody to eat.
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What herbs are edible?
The stems of herbs vary in their texture from the more stick-like to a texture that is softer and more edible. Herbs like thyme, oregano and rosemary are more stick-like and things like parsley and cilantro having a softer, more edible texture. In truth, this is a matter of personal preference.
How to dry herb stems?
For your leftover stems, you can dry them in an oven at 170°F for about an hour and then crush them in a mortar and pestle or blender until they are a fine powder and then mix with an equal amount of salt. It is a good idea to experiment with one or two herb stems at a time until you get the flavors you love.
Can you use whole stems in a dish?
The stems can be dried and used for the salt rubs that you ask about (more on this in a bit). The technique of adding whole stems to a dish for an herb such as parsley or cilantro won't work as well.
Can you use parsley stems in recipes?
In truth, this is a matter of personal preference. For me, I prefer to not use the more stick-like herb stems in my recipes but would not hesitate to include something like parsley or cilantro stems.
Can you put whole sprigs of thyme in a recipe?
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.
Is it healthy to use one herb stem at a time?
It is a good idea to experiment with one or two herb stems at a time until you get the flavors you love. Lastly, there is no reason to think that this is anything but healthy for you. Herbs are a great way to bring both terrific flavor to your food and help you reduce the amount of added salt as a seasoning.
Is it safe to eat thyme stems?
Do you know if it is safe and/or healthy to eat the stems/woody portion of the thyme herb if they are diced up? I often use thyme in cooking and the little stems frequently end up in my cooking. I also have read that you can use them to make salt rubs.
Where is thyme used?
Thyme is a wonderful ingredient that’s used in cuisines around the world, particularly in France, Italy, and across the Mediterranean.
How to lower heart rate with thyme?
One sure way to use thyme to help lower your heart rate is to substitute it for salt in your foods.
How to make thyme repellent?
In order to get the best pest fighting results, rub thyme leaves between your hands to release the essential oil. You can also make homemade repellant by mixing four drops of thyme oil to every teaspoon of olive oil, or mixing five drops for every 2 ounces of water.
Why is thyme essential oil used?
Thyme to boost your mood. Thyme essential oil is often used for aromatic and therapeutic purposes because of its active substance carvacrol. In a 2013 study, carvacrol was shown to affect neuron activity in ways that boosted the subjects’ feelings of well-being.
What is the best herb to use with fish?
Fresh leaves or whole sprigs can be used while preparing meat or poultry. Thyme is also an excellent ingredient to use with fish, like in this heart-healthy white fish recipe.
What to do when you have a sore throat?
Next time you’re faced with a cough or sore throat, try drinking some thyme tea.
What family is thyme from?
Thyme is an herb from the mint family that you probably recognize from your spice set. But it’s so much more than an after-thought ingredient.
What is thyme used for?
While thyme is commonly used to flavor food, this herb has been used since ancient times for different health and medicinal benefits and as a preservative. Today, it’s used in a wide variety of products ranging from mouthwashes to teas and even nasal sprays. Thyme, which is from the mint family, has tiny, sage-green leaves and thin stalks.
Is thyme a mint?
Thyme, which is from the mint family, has tiny, sage-green leaves and thin stalks. It can be used fresh, dried, or made into an essential oil. While there are many claims about thyme’s health benefits, most of them have yet to be confirmed by scientific research.
Is thyme oil safe to use?
A serving of thyme is typically two tablespoons when fresh or one teaspoon when dried. Thyme is safe when used in normal amounts for cooking. However, if you plan to ingest it as an essential oil, you should bear in mind that it’s at a higher concentration in that form and may cause side effects. While fresh or dried thyme is safe to use as a flavoring in food when pregnant, it’s important to consult your doctor before ingesting it as an essential oil.
Can you use dried thyme instead of salt?
Fresh or dried thyme can be used as a substitute for salt when cooking to help decrease your salt intake or manage high blood pressure.
Is thyme oil good for you?
Thyme can be added to your foods, used as a tea, applied to your skin as an essential oil, gargled as thyme oil, or even inhaled. While there are various claims about the health benefits of thyme, scientific research is lacking in many areas or only based on animal research.
Can you grow thyme in the refrigerator?
You can grow thyme or purchase it fresh or dried from most grocery stores. Dried thyme can be stored at room temperature, and fresh thyme should be refrigerated or frozen. If you’re purchasing thyme as an essential oil, you can store it in the refrigerator or keep it in a dry, cool space away from direct sunlight.
Does thyme help with skin infections?
That said, thyme does contain the compound thymol, which can help control or neutralize some bacterial, parasitic, fungal, or viral infections. Research also suggests that it may have analgesic, antibacterial, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory properties that can help with skin conditions, pain from bug bites, rheumatoid arthritis, and more.
Why is thyme good for you?
Thyme promotes good health by protecting us from diseases causing microbes and microbial infections due to the presence of antimicrobial compounds such as thymol and carvacrol .
How much potassium is in thyme?
Potassium in thyme (609mg per 100 grams) is a natural vasodilator that relaxes blood vessels, improves blood circulation, and provides relief from hypertension.
Does thymol cause allergic reactions?
Thymol and carvacrol in thyme irritate the mucous membrane in some individuals and cause allergic reactions.
Does thyme help with diabetes?
When consumed in moderation, thyme could help in managing diabetes. Phytonutrients in thyme aids in regulating blood sugar levels. Dietary fibers in thyme slow down the absorption of sugar by the bloodstream, and thus aids in managing diabetes. With a low glycemic index of 45, it slowly releases sugar into the bloodstream ...
Where is thyme grown in 2021?
Thyme (scientific name-Thymus Vulgaris) is an evergreen shrub known for its medicinal and culinary uses. Cultivation of thyme dates back to the Egyptian era. It is native to the Mediterranean region and certain parts of Africa. Thyme provides many health and beauty benefits due to the abundance ...
Can thyme cause diarrhea?
In some individuals, thyme may cause allergic reaction s such as skin irritation, itching, skin redness, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Does thyme help with constipation?
The laxative properties of dietary fibers in thyme improve bowel movement and relieve constipation.
What is thyme used for?
Thyme is an extremely fragrant Mediterranean herb that has been used in Italian, French, and Middle Eastern cuisine for centuries. It has made its way around the world and can be found in American and Caribbean dishes as well.
How long can you keep fresh thyme in the fridge?
You can keep fresh thyme usable for up to two weeks simply by wrapping the sprigs in damp paper towels and leaving them in your refrigerator’s crisper drawer. Alternatively, you can dry fresh thyme by hanging it in a location with dry, moving air or by using a food dehydrator.
How long does thyme last in the fridge?
The extra cooking time makes it mellower. Do store thyme properly. Thyme is one of those hardy herbs that can last for a while, even without being refrigerated. Even so, it will last for even longer if you keep it in the refrigerator.
Is it better to add thyme to stew or stock?
Do add thyme early in the cooking process. Thyme is one of those herbs that can stand up to long cooking times and is actually better for dishes that will be braised for hours. When it is included in stocks and stews, it is typically added early on for this reason. Adding it early is especially important if you are using the dried herb. Drying concentrates the flavor in much the same way that it does with oregano. The extra cooking time makes it mellower.
Do you measure thyme?
Do measure thyme properly. When cookbooks refer to measurements of thyme, they will usually use the term sprig unless they are referencing dried thyme leaves. There is no agreed-upon definition of sprig when it comes to measuring thyme, but what should work is a main stem about 5 inches long along with its branches and leaves.
Can you store thyme while it is wet?
Don’t store thyme while it is moist. Storing thyme while it is wet will result in the leaves blackening and falling off within a few days. They will also lose their flavor.
Is thyme a drawback?
Thyme’s pungency is one of its greatest benefits, but can be a drawback if it is used incorrectly. Follow the tips below to get the best results from thyme.
How to dry thyme before eating?
If you don’t want to eat the flowers, harvest the stem and the leaves before the thyme blooms . Dry them by hanging them upside-down in a dark room until they dry completely. When they’re dry, it’s easy to strip the leaves off the stems.
What is thyme in the US?
Thyme (Thymus spp.) is an aromatic herb that grows in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 4 through 9. It’s a hardy perennial grown for its attractive foliage as well as for its culinary uses. More than 220 varieties of thyme are known to exist.
What is the smell of thyme?
Spicy orange (Thymus ‘Spicy Orange’) creeping thyme is one type of creeping thyme. It produces tiny pink flowers and has a dense mat of foliage, which emits an orange-spice scent when it’s crushed. This type of thyme can be grown either indoors or outdoors.
How long does it take for thyme to germinate?
Plants will germinate in one to 12 weeks.
Where do thyme seeds grow?
They do best in well-drained soil with abundant sun. Keep them on the dry side. Thyme is suited for a Mediterranean climate, so keep this in mind while you're cultivating it. They’re native to the Mediterranean regions of Europe, Africa and Asia.
When does thyme flower?
They grow at the top of the stems in a sphere-shape with elongated verticillaster. In nature, the flowering season is from May to September. Thyme is easy to care for once it’s established, and it tolerates drought conditions.
Can you eat thyme flowers?
To eat them, use the flowers as a garnish while they’re still attached to the stem. You can also break them up and sprinkle them over a dish. Thyme flowers add a lemony flavor to dishes, and some culinary applications recommend using them to make a flavored butter. In some regions of the world, thyme flowers are used as medicine.
What is thyme used for?
— used widely in culinary preparations to orange, lemon and caraway thyme, each with their own unique flavor. Thyme is used fresh or dried in cooking. Advertisement.
How to make thyme tea?
If you wish to make your own thyme tea, boil 1 1/2 cups of water. Place four (or more) fresh thyme sprigs in the water and steep for up to 20 minutes. Tea made from dried thyme leaves is also available in stores. Read more: The Many Benefits of Vitamin A and How to Get the Right Amount.
What is thyme essential oil used for?
In traditional medicine, thyme has been used for high blood pressure, toothache, headache, cold, fever, and skin, eye and liver diseases.
Is thyme tea safe?
Thyme tea, bre wed from the fresh or dried leaves of the thyme plant, when consumed in amounts used for cooking, is considered generally safe. Although not yet scientifically proven, thyme is perceived to have health benefits including anti-hypertensive, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
Is thyme bad for you?
Her cookbook, "Flourless. Recipes for Naturally Gluten-Free Desserts," was published in 2014 by Chronicle Books. Though thyme can have many health benefits, it can also produce negative side effects.
Can you take herbs as tea?
Herbs and supplements can be taken as teas, oils, syrups, powders, tablets or capsules. As the Clinic cautions, there is a lack of research in alternative treatments mainly because large, carefully controlled medical studies are costly. Fewer resources are available to support trials of CAM therapies.
Is thyme oil fresh?
Thyme is used fresh or dried in cooking. Thyme has been used culinarily and medicinally for centuries, reports an article in the January/February 2016 issue of the journal Nutrition Today. Common thyme typically contains 0.4 to 3.4 percent volatile oil and is commercially prepared by distillation of its leaves.
