he plant and its history

thyme, thymus capitatus

Wild thyme, coridothymus capitatus

Thymus capitatus is the main representative of shrubs in Mediterranean

countries. It is also traded as Spanish oregano. It has similar aroma and
properties with oregano. It is considered one of the best foods for bees and
the honey produced in regions where thyme is abundant is of excellent
quality. Thyme leaves are oblong and smooth. The flowers are pink and
rarely white. They form conical inflorescence.
Ancient Greeks had dedicated the plant to Aphrodite and Ares, gods of
power, courage, beauty and love. They used thyme to add aroma to
cheese and wine and were very fond of thyme honey. They used to
prepare an invigorating drink by simmering wine or water with figs and
thyme. The elderly routinely drank thyme infusions to preserve their
mental and physical strength and to prevent illness. They also used to
burn thyme to repel poisonous reptiles and scorpions.
It is said that Alexander the Great bathed in thyme infusion in order to
repel fleas. The use of is a representative example of the Hippocratic belief
that diet should also be remedial and thus play a crucial role when it
comes to health.
Therapeutic properties

It is used to sooth bronchitis and intense coughing and for respiratory

problems and flu. It is also used for tonsillitis and pharyngitis.
As a poultice, made with vinegar, it provides relief for the respiratory
system when placed on the chest. It helps with asthma as an infusion. It is
used as a tea for tackling phlegm, ground and combined with vinegar.
It helps dilate the female reproductive tract and thus acts to relieve
cramps during menstruation. It is a diuretic and helps treat bladder and
urinary tract infections.
It sooths the stomach, has anti-ageing properties and helps strengthen
memory (its Greek name thymari is derived from the word thymisi,
which means to remember). It is excellent for stimulating the immune
system and considered to be very effective in the treatment of toothaches.
Uses

Thyme is used as an antioxidant in foods and as a spice. It fragrances olive

oil, olives, pickles, vinegar, salt, pulses, vegetables, salads, sauces and
soups, giving a delectable taste. Marinates meats, poultry and fishes Also
it is used for pastries and desserts and in various herb blends. It is one of
the ingredients of Benedictine liqueur. Can be consumed fresh or dried.
Besides culinary uses, thyme is known about its beneficial properties.
A handful of dried thyme in a warm bath is helpful for rheumatoid pains.
Reduced to a high density, thyme tea can be used in the form of
compresses for the treatment of eye styes.
It may well be a very effective natural alternative solution for the
treatment of acne.
Mainly known as St. Johns wort.
There are a number of interpretations of the association of the plants
name with John the Baptist. According to one version, it was named St
Johns wort because, along with other plant tips, St John used them as food
when in the dessert.
According to another version, it is said that it owes its name to the
semitransparent and red-black spots on its petals. The latter were
interpreted as a symbol of the blood of St John, while the transparent
spots on the petals were seen as a symbol of the tears shed when he was
beheaded. Finally, another version how of this association occurred is the
fact that the plant blooms around St Johns the Baptists day on the 24th
of June.
Therapeutic properties

St Johns wort is thought of as:

An antidepressant, calming, antispasmodic and an aid for improved quality
of sleep during times of insomnia. According to several international
scientific studies, the effect of St Johns wort on depression is positive.
Soothing agent for the sensation of burning and an aid for healing of burns
and wounds.
Tonic and stimulating for exhausted systems.
Soothing and relieving in cases of bronchitis, cough and asthma.
Emmenagogue and regulatory for periods.
Diuretic.

Spasmolytic.
Remedy for stomach and bowel upsets.
Antipyretic and painkiller.
and its history
Use
external use

Mild rub or apply local patches with saturated gauze.

nly when there is no direct sunlight exposure and even better in the
evening.
,
.
According to tradition balsam oil was used as treatment for stomach
ulcers.

Lavender (Lavandula stoechas)

Lavandula angustifolia is the most popular cultivated species.

Lavender is a multi-branched shrub. Its stems bear oblong leaves which

are covered in fine hairs and it is intensely aromatic. Lavender flowers are
small, usually violet in colour, held on dense spikes, on the tops of which
large red bracts develop.
It has been well-known since antiquity. Ancient Romans used lavender in
cookery, but also to scent garments, bed sheets and baths.
The word lavender is derived from the Latin lavare (to wash).
Therapeutic properties

According to folk medicine, lavender is spasmolytic, diuretic and a

disinfectant.
Wild lavender was used to prepare a potent therapeutic oil which had wide
use in past times; karabachi, which was also used as a beauty product. It
has also been used in cases of skin conditions as massage oil.

Aromatherapists use lavender for the treatment of all skin problems,

including psoriasis.
The herb has antiseptic, bacteriocidal, emmenagogue, analgesic, relaxing,
soothing, spasmolytic, antihypertensive, demulcent, tonic, diaphoretic,
bile-stimulating, antirheumatic, antihelminthic properties and is an
antidote in some cases of poisoning.
It acts against coughs, asthma, whooping cough and laryngitis.
Use

Lavender essential oil is used in perfumery, soap making and treatment of

neurasthenia. As, mentioned, it also has antiseptic properties and thus is
used to treat injuries and burns.
A few drops of essential oil applied to the bed pillows can combat
insomnia.
Lavender oil can also sooth pain. Aching areas can be massaged with a
few drops of lavender oil, diluted in olive oil. Diluted in a bath it can help
with vaginitis. Lavender flowers are used to scent clothes and protect
them from moths.
Lavender is used in sweet and in savoury dishes and, in the form of a
decoction containing honey as well, it is exceptionally tonic in cases of a
tired and weakened system.
In cookery it can be used in combination with other aromatic plants such
as thyme, fennel, rosemary, oregano to marinade meats, poultry and fish.
It combines very well with lemon. Foods which are based on lemon, such
as marmalades, juices and sauces can be scented with lavender. In
general it suits all citrus fruits, as it mellows their acidity. As a result, less
sugar is needed for sweet citrus-based recipes.
It is also used in distillery and in bakery.
It can be used fresh or dried.
The plant and its history
Greek Sage (Salvia fruticosa)

Sub-shrub with woody stems and greyish-green ovate leaves. It has

white/purple/pinkish flowers that form bunches. The name of the plant is
derived from the Latin verb salvare, which means to save; hence it is
the saviour plant. It is thought of almost as a panacea.

The French call it Greek tea. The Chinese named this holy herb of the
ancient Greeks Greek shoot and regarded it as superior to their own
teas. It is said that during the acme of trading of Chinese tea with the
west, they would trade two bundles of their own tea for one of Greek sage
Therapeutic Properties

Aids the treatment of tonsillitis, gingivitis, mouth ulcers and bad breath. It
is anti-pyretic, stops diarrhoea and is effective against sore throats and
headaches.
Sage contains a number of substances that fight vaginal yeast infections.
It helps with memory and British scientists confirmed that sage blocks the
action of the enzyme that breaks down acetylcholine, which results in the
preservation of the complex that prevents Alzheimers disease.
Rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory substances. Aids the relief of
symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome and rheumatoid disease.
It is an emmenagogue as it aids blood flow from the uterus.
It reduces perspiration and as it also has oestrogenic and tonic properties,
it helps relieve symptoms of menopause.
In the very hot regions of the dessert, a mixture of herbs is used to
prepare a tea, where sage is the main ingredient. It helps reduce the risk
of dehydration through its action of reducing perspiration.
It is an insect repellent (moths, wheat weevil etc)
Use

It is used as a condiment and as a preservative in the food and the oil

industry. It gives aroma to poultry, meats, fish, pasta and legumes. Due to
its intense aroma it is used in small quantities and does not combine
easily with other herbs.
Infusions prepared from it are usually solely from sage.
In the case of tonsillitis and mouth ulcers, gargle warm sage infusion made
with two to three teaspoons of dried sage per cup of boiling water. For
gingivitis, fresh sage leaves are rubbed on the teeth and gums.
For vaginal candidiasis drink sage infusion or use it to cleanse.

Sage tea

One teaspoon of dried sage per three cups of boiling water. Bring the
water to a boil, add the sage and boil for 4-5 minutes.

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