Botanical atlas

Wild Thyme

Thymus serpyllum

Long before it found its way into cottage gardens, wild thyme scented the hillsides of Europe, where shepherds and foragers gathered it for coughs, digestive complaints, and simple everyday ailments. Ancient Greeks burned it as incense for courage, and it was tucked into pillows and posies to freshen sickrooms and ward off fatigue. Country households traditionally brewed it into tea for chest colds and sore throats, and its honey, made by bees working thyme-covered slopes, was treasured as a delicacy in its own right. Even today, herbalists reach for wild thyme much as their grandmothers did, as a warming, aromatic ally for the cold season.

Safety.

Wild thyme is generally recognized as safe when used in the modest culinary and tea amounts described here, but its essential oil is concentrated and should never be taken internally or applied undiluted to the skin, as it can be irritating and, in excess, toxic. Those with allergies to plants in the mint family, and pregnant or breastfeeding women, should avoid medicinal-strength preparations and stick to normal culinary use only. As with any herb used medicinally, it is wise to speak with a qualified healthcare professional before using wild thyme for symptom relief, especially alongside other medications.