Q: My mother saved an old 2007 article of yours talking about thyme tea helping diabetics with a urinary tract infection. We can’t find thyme tea anywhere. Would you please help?
A: Thyme is a garden herb that has been used for countless years because of its anti-oxidant properties.
While anecdotal, it is said to be rich in minerals, phenols and flavonoids. The University of Maryland Medical Center has indicated it can relieve coughs, treat bronchitis, promote good digestion, increase the flow of urine, cleanse the organs of the body, relieve gas and bloating. It is purported to be an excellent source of vitamin K vital for blood clotting. It cleanses scrapes and cuts with its antiseptic and disinfectant properties, treats PMS symptoms, is taken for sprains, joint pain and more.
This delicate herb known as thymus vulgaris can be found in grocery or health food stores in tea bag form, in garden centers in seed packets for planting by you in a pot or garden, or through a local nursery as a potted plant. There are more than 60 varieties from which to choose, to include orange, silver, lemon and French varieties. The product is often confused with oregano, being similar in looks and taste. You might even find one of your friends or neighbors has thyme growing in a garden and who would be delighted to share the wealth. Thyme is best cultivated in a hot, sunny location, is commonly planted in the spring and will continue to grow as a perennial. Fresh product is commonly sold in bunches or sprigs. Depending on how the fresh form is used for tea or to flavor a meal, the whole sprig may be used or the leaves can be removed and the stems discarded. The product will retain its flavor on drying.
Individuals who wish to prepare their own supply of thyme tea should ideally choose fresh gray/green leaves free of blemishes and discoloration. To make a pot of tea, boil a pot of water and add one tablespoon per cup of dried thyme, perhaps a bit more when using fresh plant leaves. Cover the brewing container while the herbs are infusing to trap all of the volatile oils rather than have them evaporate in the air. Let the “tea” steep for about three minutes and strain before drinking. For those who will drink the tea because of a scratchy throat, try adding honey and a bit of fresh lemon
Oil of thyme contains somewhere between 20 and 54% of thymol, an antiseptic that is the main active ingredient in a number of commercially produced mouthwashes and in some all-natural hand sanitizers. Most of the thyme oil found today is produced in France, with distillation taking place during the flowering phase in May or June and again in the fall. The product in oil form is available commercially.
Dried and fresh thyme is often used to flavor carrots, lamb, pork, soups, chicken and a great deal more. Always attempt to procure the herb fresh but when the dried form is used, be sure to store it in a cool, dry place for no more than six months.
As an alternative, if your mother is fighting recurrent urinary tract infections, she might choose to visit her physician and present him or her with a urine sample for culture. This is a simple process that will allow the doctor to prescribe antibiotic, if appropriate but back on the home front, she might be diligent about recognizing the first signs of a UTI, and remember to drink 100% cranberry juice or eat a handful of dried cranberries daily. She should also increase her water consumption in an attempt to flush her system before the infection really takes hold.
Readers who are interested in learning more can order Dr. Gott’s Health Reports “Bladder and Urinary Tract Infections” and “Compelling Home Remedies” by sending a self-addressed, stamped number 10 envelope, and a $2 (for each report) to Peter H. Gott, MD Health Report, PO Box 433, Lakeville, CT 06039. Be sure to mention the title(s) or print an order form from www.AskDrGottMD.com.
