Thyme - kitchen thyme - pot 9x9 cm (Thymus vulgaris)

Thyme, like many of our current kitchen herbs, is native to the countries around the Mediterranean. In nature, it usually grows on rocky slopes. Thyme has been used for centuries to prepare food, as medicine, in various rituals and sacrifices. The true thyme is an evergreen, bushy semi-shrub that grows about 20 to 30 centimeters tall. It has many fine ascending greenish-brown twigs that become woody in the second season. On the twigs are small, needle-shaped medium green leaves that smell strongly, especially when bruised. Thyme blooms from May to September with small white to light purple lip-shaped flowers that are very popular with bees and bumblebees.

GROWTH TIPS:
Thyme prefers to grow in a sunny, dry spot. The plant thrives in a sandy, nutrient-poor calcareous and well-drained soil. To keep young fresh plants, it's best to prune back strongly in the fall, after flowering. This will promote growth in the spring. New young branches will then easily grow on the old wood. Pluck a few twigs as needed for immediate fresh use or cut some twigs in the summer to dry and store. After about 3 years, however, it is better to transplant thyme or replace it completely. As the plant ages, you end up with a wilted bush with bare branches inside and leaves only on the outside. In addition, older plants lose much of their aroma. Thyme can be grown well in pots or containers on the patio. Make sure the soil drains well. Wet winters can be fatal to the plant, especially when grown in pots.

CULINARY
:Thyme is one of the most well-known and widely used kitchen herbs. It can be used both fresh and dried. Let a few sprigs cook in your dishes, but remove them before serving. Do use thyme in moderation, or it will quickly dominate. You can use thyme to add extra flavor to broths, marinades, sauces and soups. It also goes perfectly with game dishes and on the barbecue. A classic is the use of real thyme mixed with parsley and bay leaf, the 'bouquet garni' known from cookbooks. Thyme can also be used to coat in oil or vinegar, to make your own thyme oil and thyme vinegar.

MEDICINAL:
Thyme promotes the digestion of fatty foods and stimulates the appetite. However, it has traditionally been used mainly for its antiseptic and anti-bacterial properties. In addition, thyme has an expectorant effect. Thyme tea or thyme syrup can be used for respiratory problems, bronchitis and persistent coughs. It is often a component of cough syrups. Use it also as a mouthwash against infections in the mouth and throat. A few leaves of thyme or thyme oil in the bath are soothing and help with insomnia and migraine.