A Respiratory Solution:
Have you had it yet? The sick and tired of being sick and tired feeling? That annoying cough persistently comes on, even though you're already exhausted from coughing. First, it starts as a tickle in your throat, and your chest tightens. Each cough feels painful and drains you even more, leaving you desperately wanting some relief. It’s “been going around” and might come to you if it hasn’t already. A great solution is a solution made from honey and thyme. Because let’s be honest, when it comes to sickness, “ain’t nobody got time for that”. This recipe comes from, Forgotten Home Apothecary: 250 Powerful Remedies at Your Fingertips - Nicole Apelian. Apelian has quickly become one of my favorite authors. Most of my blogs have followed her well organized work.
In reference to Thyme, a quote from the Bronchium article says:
This humble Mediterranean herb has always held a special place in history. For thousands of years, this garden herb has been vital to many cultures, religions, and medical breakthroughs. As an antidote for poison, a plague preventative, a symbol of bravery in battle, and a sturdy companion to the grave. The use of Thyme for medicinal purposes can be traced back to the Roman era; where eating it before and during meals was believed to 'protect' you from poison. It is believed that Thyme was first used for purely medicinal purposes during the Black Death in 1347. Since then it has been used to cure various kinds of ailments, even more commonly for the treatment of cough.”
Ingredients:
1 cup fresh thyme leaves or ½ cup dried thyme |
1 cup of raw honey |
Instructions:
1. Harvest and Prepare Thyme & Honey
1. For fresh thyme, be sure to separate the leaves from the stem.
2. For dried thyme, you don’t have to do this
3. Be sure to use honey that has a viscosity high enough to stir. Usually, I warm my honey in a water bath if need be.
2. Combine Thyme and Honey
1. In a dry, clean glass jar, place your thyme.
2. Pour your sweet honey over the herbs.
3. If the jar is not truly clean, you run the risk of mold.
3. Mix
1. Stir the warm, thick honey until it glides smoothly around the spoon. Add the thyme, and mix until the earthy scent combines with the sweet honey aroma.
4. Infuse
1. For at least 3-4 days, seal the jar and forget about it. Store it in a cool, dark place. If you let it infuse for a full week, the flavor and medicinal properties will be at a potent peak.
5. Filter
1. With the mesh strainer that usually hides in the back of the cabinet (or with the cheesecloth you keep forgetting to pick up at the store), strain the mixture into a new, clean glass container. Using the water bath method, warming the jar with the honey and thyme solution will help with this process.
2. Essentially, you are separating the thyme leaves from the honey. If you don’t separate the two, you are at risk of mold growing.
6. Store
1. If all directions were followed with diligence, if your glass jar is cleaned, sealed and properly (in a cool, dark place), your Thyme and Honey solution should last several months.
Dosage:
1. You can take it straight on 1-2 teaspoons.
2. Personally, I think this sounds perfect to add a spoonful to hot water or an herbal tea.
Thyme against respiratory infections:
The oil found in Thyme has antispasmodic properties. Thyme’s soothing effects relaxes the bronchial muscles the same way the saline solution in a nebulizer can. By calming the muscles making you cough, relief is give n.
Honey:
My grandmother, who survived the Great Depression, Tuberculosis, WWII and everything in between, heard me (at about 7years old) mercilessly coughing one night. With a house filled with NyQuil, Robitussin, and every other OTC medication, she brings me a tablespoon full of honey. Obediently, I swallowed the golden syrup and was immediately relieved. According to the Cleveland Clinic, “Research shows that honey has some antimicrobial and anti-inflammation properties. Honey can help by decreasing inflammation and irritation in your throat,”
Conclusion:
In your garden this year, Thyme is never a waste - pun intended. Even a small pot in the window is enough to grow for a season. Follow my instructions in the two-part blog on “Harvesting Herbs,” for proper instructions on how to turn your plant into medicine. Honey, full of healing power, is always best locally sourced. It’s a staple that needs to be in your homemade First Aid Kit at all times. For this coughing season, use these two ingredients to combat your cough because, honey, you have thyme for that.
Sources:
- Apelian, Nicole. Forgotten Home Apothecary: 250 Powerful Remedies at Your Fingertips. Global Brother, 2024
- Sourced from: Cleveland Clinic. “Health Essentials.” “Honey for Your Sore Throat”, Cleveland Clinic, 13 Feb. 2023 https://health.clevelandclinic.org/honey-for-sore-throat-and-cough
- Sanofi. "Thyme Cough Syrup.” “Bronchicum” All Rights Reserved. MAT-AE-2300501-V1-, 24 Aug. 2024, https://www.bronchi-arabia.com/en-ae/power-of-herbs/thyme-cough-syrup
About Me:
Hello, my name is Shannon. I joined FireKeepers International as a volunteer in 2023. In
2014, I began the Master Herbalist program at Trinity School of Natural Health and
completed the program in September of 2017. Since then, my main studies have been
Biblical truths, astronomy and the Hebrew language. I am a born and raised
“Michigander,” currently living in one of Northern Michigan’s beautiful national forests.
When I’m not keeping busy with the homestead, you can find me out in nature or
hibernating in my cabin.