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# Time for thyme?
- URL: https://betonica-school-of-herbal-medicine.ghost.io/time-for-thyme/
- Published: 2026-11-02T15:38:12.000Z
- Updated: 2026-11-02T15:38:12.000Z
- Author: Student number 458900

We all know a cold – a tickly or sore throat that progresses to a runny, then a blocked nose, and usually we cough a lot as the lungs try to clear out the mucous produced as they fight infection.

**Common or garden thyme (*Thymus vulgaris* L.)** has a long history of use as a medicinal herb, with a particular affinity for the respiratory system (our lungs and airways). Seventeenth century herbalist Nicholas Culpeper called it ‘a notable strengthener of the lungs’, (Culpeper, 2007/1653, p.289) and many herbalists before and since have agreed with him.

Thyme contains two very powerful volatile oils – thymol and carvacrol, which have expectorant, antispasmodic and antimicrobial actions (Pengelly, 2004). These actions are useful in coughs and colds because they (respectively) help bring up mucous, soothe coughing spasms and are antiseptic against infective microbes (McIntyre, 2003). Thyme is a safe herb with no reported side effects or drug interactions (Hoffmann, 2003), though avoid in pregnancy or with high blood pressure (Jones, 2023).

**So, as a herbalist, here are three ways I use thyme, and the benefits and cautions of each:**

**1\. Thyme infusion or ‘tea’.** Simple and effective – brew a cuppa with 2 tsp fresh or 1 tsp dried Thyme leaves. Cover and steep for ten minutes, then drink. 

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/c7/38/c73825ce-926e-4074-bdb7-340dec180829/content/images/2026/10/IMG_1438.jpeg)

Image Author’s own

**Benefits:** Suitable for anyone, but make weaker for babies (Hedley & Shaw, 2020). Plus, this is hydrating - important when ‘streaming’ with cold, and losing fluids. 

**Cautions:** Only keep for 24 hours.

**2\. Thyme syrup.** Make a strong Thyme decoction by simmering 4 tsp of dried Thyme (or 8 tsp fresh) in 2 cups of water for 20 minutes, allowing half of the water to evaporate. Remove from heat, strain, and stir in an equal amount of honey or sugar to make a syrup consistency. Bottle and store in fridge. Take a spoonful as required. 

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/c7/38/c73825ce-926e-4074-bdb7-340dec180829/content/images/2026/10/IMG_1430-1.jpeg)

Image Author's own.

**Benefits:** Sweetness makes this palatable, especially to children, while the sticky consistency helps coat the throat acting as a demulcent (softening and soothing inflamed tissues). Will keep for 2 weeks refrigerated (Hedley & Shaw, 2020).

**Cautions:** Honey is not suitable for children under 12 months. Some people may want/need to avoid any sugar.

**3\. Thyme steam inhalation.** Add a big bunch of thyme to a bowl of just boiled water. Then lean over the bowl with a large towel covering both your head and the bowl, close your eyes and inhale the steam and Thyme vapours for at least five minutes. 

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/c7/38/c73825ce-926e-4074-bdb7-340dec180829/content/images/2026/10/IMG_1447.jpeg)

Image Author’s own

**Benefits:** Very effective decongestant. Babies and small children can be held on an adult’s lap in a bathroom with the thyme in a hot bath and the steam all around.

**Cautions:** Caution needed around very hot water.

If you have thyme growing in your garden, all of these remedies can be made using your own fresh thyme. If not, it’s a very easy herb to source, as it is widely cultivated and available both fresh and dried as a cooking herb, which makes it a perfectly sustainable and ethical herb for regular use (Khela, 2026).

Finally, although herbalists might use thyme for other more serious respiratory conditions, if your symptoms persist longer than usual for a cold, or get worse e.g. phlegm turns green, difficulty breathing properly, consult a medical herbalist or other health professional for advice.

**References**

Culpeper, N. (2007). *The English Physician Enlarged* (R. Mabey, Ed.). The Folio Society. (Original work published 1653).

Hedley, C. & Shaw, N. (2020). *A herbal book of making and taking.* Aeon.

Hoffman, D. (2003). *Medical Herbalism: The science and practice of herbal medicine*. Healing Arts Press.

Jones, L. (2023). *A working herbal dispensary: Respecting herbs as individuals.* Aeon Books Ltd.

Khela, S. 2026\. *Thymus vulgaris*. *The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species* 2026:

e.T203348A88330009\. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2026-1.RLTS.T203348A88330009.en. Accessed on 20 October 2026.

McIntyre, A. (2010). *The complete herbal tutor: A structured course to achieve professional expertise.* Gaia.

Pengelly, A. (2004). *The constituents of medicinal plants: An introduction to the chemistry and therapeutics of herbal medicine* (2nd ed.).CABI Publishing.

**Social Media Post**

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/c7/38/c73825ce-926e-4074-bdb7-340dec180829/content/images/2026/10/thyme-in-bed-1.jpeg)

Thyme growing. Image Author's own.

**Time for thyme? Want to know how herbalists use thyme for coughs and colds?**

Read my blog to discover:

· Three home remedies using thyme for a cough or cold

· Which methods are best for babies/children/adults

· Why herbalists love this garden favourite

Shout out to herbal mentors: @betonica @herbalreality @theherbsociety