10 Tasty Thyme Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What not to mix with thyme? ›

Thyme is a Mediterranean herb with dietary, medicinal, and ornamental uses. The flowers, leaves, and oil of thyme have been used to treat a range of symptoms and complaints. These include diarrhea, stomach ache, arthritis, and sore throat. The most common variety is Thymus vulgaris.

Winter thyme, also called German thyme, is a bit larger and more cold-hardy. English thyme is a third variety of T. vulgaris, often called common or garden thyme. It is viewed as having the strongest flavor of the three.

Furthermore, various experimental models of liver injury have demonstrated that thyme possesses hepatoprotective effects. Either ethanolic or methanolic extracts of thyme effectively suppress N-nitrosodiethylamine or aflatoxin-induced oxidative liver damage [14,15].

Lowers blood pressure and cholesterol levels: Thyme exerts antihypertensive effects, so it is an excellent herbal choice for anyone who has high blood pressure symptoms. A recent animal study discovered that Thymus vulgaris extract might dramatically lower the heart rate of people who have hypertension.

But when it comes to the kitchen, the players are few. There are only about half a dozen considered suitable for cooking. Out of this group, I find four to be most useful: French thyme, lemon thyme, oregano-scented thyme, and caraway thyme. French thyme (Thymus vulgaris) is the one that most people know.

Thyme is a versatile herb with an earthy flavor. You'll find it in many major world cuisines, including Mediterranean, French, Middle Eastern, and Italian. Thyme can be used fresh or dried, and works well in soups, roasted vegetables, pasta, sauces, pizzas and more!

Whole sprigs of thyme can add layers of flavor to sauces, beans, soups and stews (just remove before serving). Because rosemary is more assertive, try chopping the herb finely and mixing it with garlic, salt or lemon zest. Rosemary loves playing with fat, which is why it pairs well with roasted meats and olive oil.

People who are allergic to thyme or similar plants like basil, oregano, sage, and lavender may experience negative symptoms. These can include skin sensitivity if you touch thyme leaves or nausea, heartburn, diarrhea, and vomiting if you eat it or drink thyme tea.

Mood. 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 does thyme do for hair? ›

With its anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, it's no surprise that thyme essential oil is often used for hair growth and scalp health! In the scalp, thyme can help lessen dandruff by preventing inflammatory bacteria and nourishing the follicle, creating a healthy environment for new hair cells.

Oregano. Oregano works as a substitute for thyme as a fresh or dried herb. They are similar in taste since they are both members of the mint family. Use fresh oregano in an equal amount to replace fresh thyme and dried oregano for dried thyme.

Common thyme and lemon thyme are the varieties most often used in cooking. Lemon thyme looks similar to common thyme but offers a distinctive lemon aroma and flavor. You may also encounter woolly thyme, creeping thyme, wild thyme, and elfin thyme—all of which are better suited for rock garden filler than culinary use.

One of the most popular culinary thymes, lemon thyme (Thymus serpyllum citratus) is known for its enticing lemon scent and taste. Sometimes listed in catalogs as Thymus x citriodorus, it is a hardy perennial that grows 4 to 12 inches tall. Leaves may be green or edged in yellow, depending on the selection.

Chives, cilantro, and basil are not ideal companion plants for thyme because they have different growing requirements and may compete for the same nutrients in the soil.

Hormone-sensitive conditions such as breast cancer, uterine cancer, ovarian cancer, endometriosis, or uterine fibroids: Thyme might act like estrogen in the body. If you have any condition that might be made worse by exposure to estrogen, don't use thyme.

Certain medications, supplements, herbs, and foods may interact with thyme. Other interactions may exist, but these are not well-documented or researched. If you're taking any medications, it's important that you talk with a healthcare provider before using thyme supplements.