May Newsletter

May 2011

Thyme

He causeth the grass to grow for the cattle, and herbs for the service of man: that he may bring forth food out of the earth...

From The Herb Patch

Welcome to the May issue of Herbs and Heirlooms Newsletter!

Is It Time for Thyme?

There are so many different herbs that start growing and flourishing in the spring that it is almost impossible to choose from among the many varieties to write about. So, I have decided to write this month about an herb that is used both for culinary and medicinal purposes. Knowing what I do about thyme, makes me wonder why I don’t literally use this herb on a daily basis, and so I will probably somehow incorporate this herb in my daily life, whether through food or in a tea or tincture. I have already made herbal oil from this super medicinal dried herb and have found it to be what it claims in the following paragraphs.

*This article was taken from Countryside Magazine, March/April edition.

T

his common culinary spice of thyme, with the botanical name of Thymus vulgaris, is only one member of a larger general that includes over 400 species and even more varieties. The thymus genera are originally native to the Mediterranean region and are a perennial plant that grows wild. Thyme is a prolific, fragrant creeping groundcover and often displays an attractive spray of flowers spanning the spectrum from white to lilac.

The principal active chemical constituents of thyme consist of the phenols, thymols and carbacrol. A 1977 article in the scientific journal, Chemical Abstracts, revealed that thymol's antimicrobial activity is 18 times more powerful than phenol. Phenol is the major antiseptic used in commercial germicidal cleaners like Lysol.

Thymol is one of the most potent antimicrobial substances known and far surpasses even the strongest antibiotics. It has been illustrated in the Journal of Chemistry and the Merck Index of Drugs & Chemicals to destroy parasites, worms, fungi, bacteria, mosquito larvae, and many viruses, something antibiotics don't even touch.

Medical Properties
Anti-aging, highly anti-mocrobial, antifungal, antiviral, antibacterial, antiparasistic, antiseptic, disinfectant. A solution of thyme's most active ingredient, thymol, is used in many over the counter products such as mouth wash and vapor rubs because of its purifying agents.

The pharmaceutical and cosmetic industry is also privy to thyme's important medicinal effects of the oil of thymus vulgaris. They have used it in gargles, cough drops, vapor rubs and mouth washes for many years.

Uses
Infectious diseases, cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer's disease, muscular atrophy, sprains, rheumatism, hepatitis, respiratory problems, digestive complaints, the prevention and treatment of infection, dyspepsia, chronic gastritis, bronchitis, pertusses, asthma, laryngitis, tonsillitis, styes and aid with pink eye, nightmares in children, and enuresis (bedwetting) in children.

Thyme just happens to be one of the many ingredients found in Me Me’s Superblast! I have had some great feedback on results of people using this product. Most have reported that their infected throats (some strep throat) have been healed in a short time. There was one young man that had a severe eye infection (usually has them several times a year) that works with my husband who actually tried Superblast in some water and made an eye wash! OUCH!
Anyway, he said it really stung for a few minutes, but the infection greatly improved within a few hours of doing this. His eye was completely healed within 2 days versus using antibiotic crème in his eye that cost him about $50 that normally took two weeks to completely heal.

Recipes

 Since Mothers Day is coming up very soon now I thought it would be a good idea to throw in a few recipes

Me Me’s stuffed eggs (I refuse to call them deviled)

6 eggs (Preferably from free range chickens)
2 tablespoons mayonnaise (I use Duke’s or 365 brand) May need more mayo depending on taste
1 teaspoon mustard (to taste)

1 teaspoon of favorite herb such as dill weed or paprika (optional)
1/2 teaspoon honey

Place eggs in a medium saucepan and cover completely with water. Add a pinch of salt. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat; boil for at least 10 minutes. Remove pan from heat and pour off hot water. Gently shake pan to slightly crack eggs while adding cold water to cool down the already cooked eggs. Let stand until cooled. Crack and peel eggs, then slice in half lengthwise. Scoop out yolk and put in a small bowl. Mash yolk and add above ingredients. Herbs can be mixed inside of yolk mixture or sprinkled on top. Taste! Scoop mashed yolk back into the egg white. Enjoy!!

Lemon-Chip Cookies or Lemon-Balm Cookies

My daughter recently had a spring tea party (country style) and I made these cookies. They turned out exceptionally well! You can use the original chocolate chips or use chopped herbs to make this great tasting cookie taken from an old cookie recipe book.
Cream 1 cup softened butter with 1 cup sugar. Beat in 1 egg, 1 ½ teaspoons shredded lemon peel, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, (I used more) and 1 tablespoon water. Stir together 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour, ¼ teaspoon baking soda, and ¼ teaspoon salt; stir into creamed mixture. Stir in one 1-ounce square semisweet chocolate, grated (1/3) cup. Shape into two 9-inch rolls Wrap in waxed paper or clear plastic wrap. Chill thoroughly. Cut into ¼-inch slices. Place on ungreased cookie sheet. Bake at 350º for 10 to 12 minutes. Makes about 6 dozen.

Cures in the Cupboard

Taken from The Herb Companion Magazine

Save money with 11 remedies that could be as close as your kitchen.
We expect to find help for our ailments at the health-food store or the drugstore. But for a surprising number of conditions, help is as near as your kitchen cupboard. We have been collecting, researching and testing folk remedies for more than two decades—and all of the remedies have been reviewed for safety by medical doctors, naturopathic doctors and other experts.
*If you have an existing health condition, check with your physician before trying any of these remedies.

BAD BREATH, GUM DISEASE AND TOOTHACHE
Coconut oil, baking soda
Coconut oil can ease ailments of the mouth, such as bad breath, gum disease and toothache. For help with any of these conditions, brush your teeth with a mixture of 1/8 teaspoon baking soda and 1/2 teaspoon organic extra-virgin
coconut oil (which you can find at a health-food store). You also can rub coconut oil on sore gums for relief.
*A note from Alice
I mixed together in a small container some coconut oil (hardened), baking soda, and a small amount of peppermint oil that I already had made.  The mixture tasted pretty good and it added a whitening and polishing effect to my teeth. I use this mainly before going to bed and it works better than some toothpastes. Normally, I use a brand of toothpaste by Toms of Maine that has propolis and myrrh in it, without flouride.

DANDRUFF
Thyme
We all have dead cells that fall from our scalp as new cells come in. But some people have a greater number of cells falling out that are bigger and easier to see. Dried thyme can help get rid of dandruff. Boil 1 cup water, and add 2 heaping tablespoons dried thyme. Let simmer 7 to 10 minutes. Use a strainer to collect the thyme, and discard. Let the tea cool. Wash your hair with a regular shampoo. While your hair is still damp, gently massage the cooled tea into your scalp. Do not rinse.

HEADACHE
Green tea, mint
Fatigue, anxiety and stress can trigger headaches. For fast relief, brew a cup of green tea and add sprigs of fresh spearmint or peppermint. If you don't have fresh mint available, use a peppermint or spearmint tea bag. Combine a bag each of green tea and mint tea to make a powerful brew that will diminish your headache in about 15 minutes.

MEMORY PROBLEMS
Carrot juice, milk, fresh ginger, sage tea, cloves
For mild memory problems, try this memory-improving drink. Mix 1/2 cup of carrot juice with 1/2 cup of milk and drink daily or use daily doses of fresh ginger in cooking or tea. Ginger is known to improve memory. Or brew a cup of sage tea, and add four cloves. Drink daily. Sage and cloves are believed to strengthen memory.
And who doesn’t need that!!!

SINUS PROBLEMS
Tomato juice, garlic, cayenne pepper, lemon juice
When your sinuses feel clogged and uncomfortable, this bracing drink can help. Combine 1 cup tomato juice, 1 teaspoon freshly chopped garlic, 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (according to your spice tolerance) and 1 teaspoon lemon. Heat the mixture until warm. Drink slowly, and it should help clear sinuses quickly.

KEEPING CLEAN THIS SPRING

Try these simple herbal tips as you prepare your home for spring

With Spring Right Around the Corner, it's time to make your house a clean and happy home—and preferably a home of non-toxic chemicals. Use revitalizing herbs, such as basil, juniper, ginger and thyme, to energize your senses and inhibit the growth of microorganisms.

      Add a drop of your favorite herbal essential oil to a scrap of fabric or a handkerchief and toss it into the dryer with your clothes for a pleasing scent. Rosemary, sage, lemon balm or cardamom will keep insects away from your wardrobe.

*A note from Alice: Since I make some of my own oil, I have tried the oil on a scrap of cloth mentioned above and it really works. It also gives the clothes a softer feel without using fabric softener or sheets. Try using cinnamon oil! I have used lavender oil that I made from my own lavender dried stems, cinnamon oil and/or cloves smells wonderful. Orange or tangerine oil is great also. There are many options here!

      Hide dried herbs in sachets (made from scraps of cloth or paper envelopes) in your furniture to add subtle aromatherapy to any room. Use lavender flowers for relaxation and mint leaves for energy and focus.

*A note from Alice: A real quick way to use dried herbs in any room is to buy a box of herbal tea such as spiced teas or some of the mints and tuck them away in your dresser drawer or even under your car seat for a quick air freshener without chemicals. Since I am highly allergic to most air freshener products, I rely on natural ways to make my home smell better.

      Clean wood furniture and floors with tea: Just boil a few tea bags in a quart of water, wipe the surface with the cooled brew and buff with a clean cloth.

      Mix a few drops of essential oils with vinegar, lemon juice or baking soda for a natural cleaning agent.

UNTIL NEXT TIME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

HAPPY MOTHERS DAY!