Thyme on your side
Welcome to the herb garden! I thought I would do something a little different, as I wandered through my local nursery looking for herbal inspiration, something I wouldn’t normally look at struck me...seeds!! In one graceful yet impulsive moment I purchased some herb seeds to get a greater understanding and experience of herbs.
In the Druid’s Garden (and my garden)this week is Thyme (Thymus vulgaris). I planted 30 of these tiny seeds in my seed tray and as I write this, the fresh new plants are just breaking the surface ready to start their life!
For me, thyme was a herb I had seen everywhere, but I wasn’t exactly sure what to do with it! The ancients knew the value of Thyme not only for culinary benefit, but also for its cleansing capabilities. Thyme was burnt in the temples to cleanse and fumigate after an animal sacrifice. The direct translation of the word means to fumigate! Interestingly enough modern science has confirmed the antiseptic and antibacterial properties of this herb.
Want to give your bed of straw a little extra clean zing? It was good enough for Jesus! It was said that the bed of straw in the manger had Thyme through it. The ancient Egyptians even used Thyme in the embalming process, and the ancient Greeks believed that thyme baths and incense were a source of courage!
Thyme has a lot of this stuff called Thymol which interestingly enough is the main ingredient in many mouthwashes because of its antiseptic properties.Before the use of antibiotics, it was used to medicate bandages, and is still effective for treating the fungus that infects toe nails! As a tea it’s great for bronchitis and other respiratory ailments. The oil is said to be effective in treating head lice, but be careful if you have a sensitive scalp!!
In the cooking (and for me-the eating)arena, Thyme is used in Mediterranean dishes, but should always be used with caution, especially when using the dried herb. It has a distinct flavour, and it’s better to use less and then add more as cooking progresses! Its perfect partner is meat, in particular lamb, where it’s best used as a primary flavour. As for the hot herbal cooking tip for this month, try putting a sprig of thyme in your next casserole to really take the flavour to the next level. Just be sure to remove it before serving.
Thyme enjoys hot, sunny conditions and oddly enough is most aromatic when grown in soils that are low in nutrients and well drained. Once established, thyme requires very little watering and happily grows from cuttings. For something a little different, try growing thyme as an effective and aromatic, drought tolerant ground cover in your garden!
We have just scratched the surface of the medicinal and culinary benefits of this truly magnificent ancient herb. So why not get some Thyme and really make good use of your herb garden to help in everyday life!
Ben Sorensen is a multi-award winning radio and TV presenter, and host of the popular radio segments, Ben Sorensen’s REAL Country & Ben Sorensen’s Druid’s Garden, heard all over Australia. Ben has a passion for herbs, quantum physics, and promoting a better way of life! For more information on Ben Sorensen visit www.BenSorensen.com or www.DruidsGardenOnline.com Sponsored by: www. MeditateWithCds.com
Druid’s Garden
Win a Druid’s Garden Pack
This weeks prize is Ben Sorensen’s 2 Multi award winning Meditation and Relaxation CDs, Forest of Light and Sounds of the Forest! Total of 7 packs nationally, prize pack valued at $45 each. To go in the draw to WIN this weeks Druid’s Garden Pack- fill out the entry form at
www.DruidsGardenOnline.com. Winners will be notified by mail.
Welcome to the herb garden! I thought I would do something a little different, as I wandered through my local nursery looking for herbal inspiration, something I wouldn’t normally look at struck me...seeds!! In one graceful yet impulsive moment I purchased some herb seeds to get a greater understanding and experience of herbs.
In the Druid’s Garden (and my garden)this week is Thyme (Thymus vulgaris). I planted 30 of these tiny seeds in my seed tray and as I write this, the fresh new plants are just breaking the surface ready to start their life!
For me, thyme was a herb I had seen everywhere, but I wasn’t exactly sure what to do with it! The ancients knew the value of Thyme not only for culinary benefit, but also for its cleansing capabilities. Thyme was burnt in the temples to cleanse and fumigate after an animal sacrifice. The direct translation of the word means to fumigate! Interestingly enough modern science has confirmed the antiseptic and antibacterial properties of this herb.
Want to give your bed of straw a little extra clean zing? It was good enough for Jesus! It was said that the bed of straw in the manger had Thyme through it. The ancient Egyptians even used Thyme in the embalming process, and the ancient Greeks believed that thyme baths and incense were a source of courage!
Thyme has a lot of this stuff called Thymol which interestingly enough is the main ingredient in many mouthwashes because of its antiseptic properties.Before the use of antibiotics, it was used to medicate bandages, and is still effective for treating the fungus that infects toe nails! As a tea it’s great for bronchitis and other respiratory ailments. The oil is said to be effective in treating head lice, but be careful if you have a sensitive scalp!!
In the cooking (and for me-the eating)arena, Thyme is used in Mediterranean dishes, but should always be used with caution, especially when using the dried herb. It has a distinct flavour, and it’s better to use less and then add more as cooking progresses! Its perfect partner is meat, in particular lamb, where it’s best used as a primary flavour. As for the hot herbal cooking tip for this month, try putting a sprig of thyme in your next casserole to really take the flavour to the next level. Just be sure to remove it before serving.
Thyme enjoys hot, sunny conditions and oddly enough is most aromatic when grown in soils that are low in nutrients and well drained. Once established, thyme requires very little watering and happily grows from cuttings. For something a little different, try growing thyme as an effective and aromatic, drought tolerant ground cover in your garden!
We have just scratched the surface of the medicinal and culinary benefits of this truly magnificent ancient herb. So why not get some Thyme and really make good use of your herb garden to help in everyday life!
Ben Sorensen is a multi-award winning radio and TV presenter, and host of the popular radio segments, Ben Sorensen’s REAL Country & Ben Sorensen’s Druid’s Garden, heard all over Australia. Ben has a passion for herbs, quantum physics, and promoting a better way of life! For more information on Ben Sorensen visit www.BenSorensen.com or www.DruidsGardenOnline.com Sponsored by: www. MeditateWithCds.com
Druid’s Garden
Win a Druid’s Garden Pack
This weeks prize is Ben Sorensen’s 2 Multi award winning Meditation and Relaxation CDs, Forest of Light and Sounds of the Forest! Total of 7 packs nationally, prize pack valued at $45 each. To go in the draw to WIN this weeks Druid’s Garden Pack- fill out the entry form at
www.DruidsGardenOnline.com. Winners will be notified by mail.
Subscribe to Holistic Bliss
| You can now have Holistic Bliss delivered to your door via Australia Post every month! Only $33 per year! SUBSCRIBE by clicking on the link below, which will take you to PayPal's secure payment portal. Happy, healthy reading all year round! |
Client Testimonials
“We recently came across your magazine. Congratulations on its publication!”
Angie and Terry Atman, Pathways to Mastery
“Today was the first time I saw Holistic Bliss at my local organic shop in Gympie. It is great to see a local mag.”
Julie-Ann Payne
I find Holistic Bliss such an inspiring read every month. Great mag!
Helen Barber - 2b Creative
Angie and Terry Atman, Pathways to Mastery
“Today was the first time I saw Holistic Bliss at my local organic shop in Gympie. It is great to see a local mag.”
Julie-Ann Payne
I find Holistic Bliss such an inspiring read every month. Great mag!
Helen Barber - 2b Creative