Thyme (ten)
Thymus vulgaris · Lamiaceae
A crossing plant — kept in both Haitian & Caribbean and Adriatic & Balkan traditions. Two shores, one root.
Thyme
ten
Thym
Thymus vulgaris
Majčina dušica / Timijan
Lamiaceae
Traditionally used
Respiratory: cough, bronchitis, pharyngitis, sinusitis (expectorant, antispasmodic, antimicrobial). Digestive: bloating, dyspepsia (carminative). Antimicrobial, antifungal. Oral hygiene.
In Haitian practice
Ten (tèm) itilize tradisyonèlman ann Ayiti pou tous, bronchit, ak enfeksyon respiratwa. Bouyi ak myèl pou fè siro natirèl. Itilize tou kòm kondiman medikal nan manje. Kèk fanm itilize li apre akouchman pou netwaye itè (kaut). Le thym est utilisé en Haïti pour la toux, la bronchite et comme siro naturel bouilli avec du miel. Utilisé aussi après l'accouchement dans certaines pratiques traditionnelles.
On the Adriatic shore
Čaj od majčine dušice: 1–2 žlice sušene trave na 200 ml, 10 min. Za kašalj, bronhitis, grlo. Sirup: odvar s medom. Ispiranje rana.
Prepared as
Aerial parts (leaves, flowers), essential oil
Chemistry
Essential oil (thymol 30–50%, carvacrol) — antimicrobial (bacterial membrane disruption), antifungal, antiviral, mucolytic, antispasmodic (smooth muscle).
In three languages
Kreyòl — Respiratwa: tous, bronchit, farennjit, sinizit. Dijestif: vant make, dyspepsi. Antimikwòb, antifongik. Ijyèn bouch. Ten (tèm) itilize tradisyonèlman ann Ayiti pou tous, bronchit, ak enfeksyon respiratwa. Bouyi ak myèl pou fè siro natirèl. Itilize tou kòm kondiman medikal nan manje.
Français — Respiratoire : toux, bronchite, pharyngite, sinusite (expectorant, antispasmodique, antimicrobien). Digestif : ballonnements, dyspepsie (carminatif). Antimicrobien, antifongique. Hygiène buccale. Le thym est utilisé en Haïti pour la toux, la bronchite et comme siro naturel bouilli avec du miel.
Safety
Safety notes for this plant are still being written. Until they are, treat it with a cautious hand.
Plants can look similar and be misidentified — always verify with a local herbalist or guide before use.
Sources & lineage
EMA Thymi herba well-established; Vitasović-Kosić 2021; Insular Pharmacopoeias
Kept alongside