THYME

                               THYME 

                                                         

Pronounced: TIME

Nutrition

A perennial herb from the mint family. Most common variety is garden thyme with gray-green leaves and a pungent minty, light-lemon aroma. Another well-known subvariety is lemon thyme, an herb with a more pronounced lemon aroma.

ETHNICITY

Southern Europe, Mediterranean

SEASON

available year-round

HOW TO STORE

Dried thyme should be stored in a cool, dark place for no more than 6 months.

MATCHES WELL WITH

beef, carrots, chicken, figs, fish, goat cheese, lamb, lentils, onions, peas, pork, potatoes, soups, tomatoes, venison

Health benefits of thyme herb

• Thyme contains many active principles that known to have disease preventing and health promoting properties.

• Thyme herb contains thymol, one of the important essential oils. Thymol has been found scientifically to have antiseptic, and anti-fungal characteristics. Thyme contains many flavonoid phenolic antioxidants like zeaxanthin, lutein, apigenin, naringenin, luteolin, and thymonin. Fresh thyme herb has one of the highest antioxidant levels among herbs, a total ORAC (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity).

• Thyme is packed with minerals and vitamins that are essential for optimum health. Its leaves are one of the richest sources of potassium,iron, calcium, manganese, magnesium, and selenium. Potassium is an important component of cell and body fluids that helps controlling heart rate and blood pressure. Manganese is used by the body as a co-factor for the antioxidant enzyme, superoxide dismutase. Iron is essential for red blood cell formation.

• The herb is also a rich source of many important vitamins such as B-complex vitamins, , vitamin-A, vitamin-K, vitamin-E, vitamin-C, and folic acid.

• Thyme provides 0.35 mg of vitamin B-6 or pyridoxine; furnishing about 27% of daily recommended intake. Pyridoxine keeps up GABA (beneficial neurotransmitter in the brain) levels in the brain which has a role as a stress buster.

• Vitamin-C helps the human body develop resistance against infectious agents and scavenge harmful, pro-inflammatory free radicals.

• Vitamin-A is a fat-soluble vitamin and antioxidant that is required maintaining healthy mucus membranes and skin and is also essential for vision. Consumption of natural foods rich in flavonoids like vitamin-A and beta-carotene helps protect from lung and oral cavity cancers.

Thyme leaves offer significant levels of quality phytonutrients profile. Just 100 g of fresh leaves provides (% of Recommended daily allowance)

Selection and storage

Dried thyme herb leaves.

Both fresh and dried forms of thyme herb can be available in the herb store. Buy fresh thyme whenever possible since it is superior in nutrients and rich in flavor. The leaves of fresh thyme should feature light green, and free from any dark spots or yellowing.

Fresh thyme should be stored in the refrigerator wrapped in a slightly dampen paper towel. Dried thyme can be kept in a tightly sealed glass container and stored in a cold, dark, and dry place, where it will stay fresh for up to six months.

Culinary uses

Thyme herb imparts intense flavor to the recipes, and therefore, should be added sparingly. In order to keep its fragrance and flavor intact, thyme herb is generally added at the final stages in the recipes. It is done so to prevent evaporation of its essential oils in cases of extended cooking methods.

Here are some serving methods:

Thyme herb used to marinate chicken and vegetable recipes.

Photo courtesy: lizadaly

• Thyme herb tea is a popular health drink.

• Thyme has been used in the preparation of season soups, and sauces.

• The herb is one of the ingredients in bouquet garni along with bay leaf, parsley,and celery.

• Thyme, along with other spicy items, has been used to marinate and stuffing to chicken, fish and meat recipes.

Medicinal uses

• Thyme contains many important essential oils, which are found to have antiseptic and anti-fungal applications.

• Throat gargling with tepid thyme water or drinking few sips of thyme tea may help relieve coughs, sore throat, and bronchitis symptoms.

• In the pharmacy, thyme based formulations has been used as an anti-septic mouthwash in the treatment of caries and gingivitis. (Medical disclaimer).

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