Herbes de Provence

Herbes de Provence
"Herbesdeprovence" by Flickr user: French Tart-FT ( http://www.flickr.com/photos/frenchtart/ ). Licensed under CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons - https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Herbesdeprovence.jpg#/media/File:Herbesdeprovence.jpg

Monday, September 22, 2014

Herb of the Month: Thyme

Thyme, the Namesake of this Blog, as Herb of the Month


Each month, an herb shines in the spotlight: its scent, flavor, even literary associations may make it a candidate for adulation. This month, thyme, also known as Thymus vulgaris, takes the stage.

Thyme is a tiny plant with a bold flavor and scent. In the herb garden, thyme, a perennial,  is easy to grow: just plant it in a reasonably sunny area and water it occasionally. Bees love thyme, so this is a good herb to encourage bee populations--an important consideration in the increasing times of bee colony collapse.

"Thymus vulgaris 001" by H. Zell - Own work. Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons - http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Thymus_vulgaris_001.JPG#mediaviewer/File:Thymus_vulgaris_001.JPG


For such a small herb, thyme has a pronounced flavor. Try this herb added to poultry, soups, and stews: perfect for the emerging colder weather. In addition, I like to saute tomatoes with thyme and black pepper for an intriguing side dish.

"Thymus vulgaris". Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons - http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Thymus_vulgaris.jpg#mediaviewer/File:Thymus_vulgaris.jpg


Medicinally, this herb contains thymol, which has antiseptic properties. For this reason, many natural mouthwashes contain the essential oil of thyme. Thyme can also be used to treat bronchitis and other infections.

For its versatility and beauty, thyme deserves its place as herb of the month. Enjoy, and bon appetit! 


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