COMMON NAME: Thyme, Red

SCIENTIFIC NAME: Thymus vulguria, T. zygis, T. sylvestris, T. sabulicola

FAMILY NAME: Lamiaceae (Mint)

INDIGENOUS COUNTRY: Spain

COUNTRY OF PRODUCTION: Spain, Hungary, France

HISTORY INFORMATION: Red Thyme is native to Spain and Portugal. It is used in cooking and as an ornamental plant especially good for rock gardens. There is also an Moroccan thyme called Red Thyme. Most Red Thyme is synthetically enhanced.

GENERAL INFORMATION: All thymes need to be used with care because of toxic phenols, carvacrol, and thymol. Very difficult to get Red thyme without some adulteration. I have heard all kinds of stories about how Red Thyme is produced: its gathered earlier in the year while white thyme is gathered later or visa vera; it is the first distillation and White Thyme is produced later in the distillation process; or Red thyme is aged White Thyme. It seems that commercial food processors want a dependable thyme scent. Most red thyme is controlled by stretching with natural or synthetic materials. You can tell it by the smell. True Thyme does not smell as strong.

DESCRIPTION OF PLANT: An evergreen perennial herb growing to 1ft high with small gray-green leaves and white flowers.

PARTS PROCESSED: Flowering tops and whole plant of zygis or vulgaris.

PROCESSING METHODS: Steam distilled.

COLOR RANGE: Clear to Reddish brown or orange.

CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS: Class: Phenol. 20% thymol enhanced if standard. Premium is approx. 50% thymol, carvacrol 30%

PHYSICAL ACTIONS AND USES: Anti-infectious, antibacterial, antifungal, antiparasitic, antiseptic, antispasmodic, analgesic, expectorant, cholagogue, choleretic, cicatrizant, anthelmintic, febrifuge, tonic, general stimulant. Used for acne, impetigo, abscesses, wounds, flu, coughs, asthma, muscular aches and pains, upset stomach, flatulence, edema, and depression.

MENTAL USES: I handle every day decisions easily. I am able to make hard decisions quickly and effortlessly. I have my head in the clouds with my feet firmly on the ground.

EMOTIONAL USES: Mentally confused, depressed, head in the clouds, dislike being practical or facing reality, live in fantasy world TO mentally alert, able to perceive and deal with the practical world as it is, feel good about making decisions, mentally grounded, can make light of self, laughing, happy.

SPIRITUAL USES: Can indicate that you have the ability to float through life, but lately things have happened and you have had to land. Gullible and naïve or how could you have believed that come to mind when you think of yourself. As you look into the world and yourself, you are not so happy about what you are seeing. Hold in there as soon this will pass and you will be stronger and very few will be able to fool you. This is all about getting you to see the more unpleasant side of life so that you can be a more complete and hold person. Your ideas about your self and your world are changing. At first it may seem that it is for the worst, but with time you will see this as a blessing.

APPLICATIONS: Aroma lamp, bath (under proper supervision and fixed oil), diffusor, inhaler, light bulb ring, liquid candle, massage, mist spray, steam inhalation.

WARNINGS\CONTRAINDICATIONS: Toxic, avoid in pregnancy, with children and babies, skin irritation, avoid with high blood pressure.