Aromatherapy Thursday ~ Thyme

Thyme is often thought of as a seasoning for poultry or other meats but just like most other herbs it has many great properties that are used in aromatherapy, homeopathy and cosmetics.

These wonderful organic seeds were found in ETSY shop Cubits at
 http://www.etsy.com/shop/cubits?ref=seller_info

From a gardener's perspective, thyme is a wonderful plant because it is easy to grow and maintain. It is also wonderful to have in the garden because of the wide variety of thyme plants that you can pick from.  They can vary from plants that are bushy and tall to some that are ground cover.  They also come in different shades of greens and have different shaped/size leaves, so you can easily enhance the visual affect of your herb garden by adding a few different thyme plants.  I also love the fact that it comes in so many different scents; lemon thyme is scented like heavenly lemon and traditional English time was what I enjoyed in my garden.  As I would weed my beautiful little ground covers I could feel my mood get better and stress gently waft away on the scent of thyme.

Romans are said to have also used this plant's aroma to chase away melancholy.  Today it is used in the same manner and used by aromatherapists to strengthen one emotionally and mentally.  Whenever I am breathing the scent in while I work with a sachet mix that includes a little thyme I can feel the my brain fog lift.

Cosmetically, thyme is considered a good disinfectant, an antiseptic, and great for toning the skin.  Because of these great cleansing and toning properties thyme is often found in quality natural face creams, baths, lotions, and more.

Thyme is also useful as a natural decongestant, it can aid in digestion and is also thought to be a good muscle relaxant.  But as with any other homeopathic remedy you should always check with your doctor before using and never use this as a substitute for medical treatment.

Whenever using an essential oils conduct an allergy test prior to use and never apply directly to your skin or directly stick your nose close to the bottle (dropper, spoon, cover, etc.)  Often essential oils are strong enough to burn the thin membranes inside your nose.