At Nature's Blends, we offer a huge range of natural, health supporting products sourced from across the world for the benefit of our many customers. One such product is Thyme Honey, which we source from the sun-kissed shores of Spain on the Iberian Peninsula that is as tasty as it is beneficial to overall health. Its innate goodness is immediately evident when you open the pot, and its herbal aroma stimulates your olfactory senses. It looks pretty amazing too, as its deep red, orange and yellow hues are almost as soothing to the eye as this rich honey is to the body.
Thyme Honey is becoming increasingly popular as a supplement to everyday health, thanks to its natural properties which it takes from the entire plant its made from. Here we look at thyme in closer detail, just some of its most beneficial characteristics and why including it in your diet is a wise move.
Thyme And Its History
There are many types of thyme plants, all belonging to the Thymus family, which is a variety of mint. The most common type used commercially is Thymus Vulgaris, and it is from this particular genus that most Thyme Honey is created. The plant itself is a perennial (a plant that lives for more than two years), and it thrives in hot areas of the world in well-drained soil.
This evergreen herb is one that has been used throughout recorded history, the earliest mentions of it dating back to the ancient Greeks, who believed that burning it as incense is something that provided courage. The Romans were also keen on the aromas thyme produced, which is what led them to ‘purify’ their homes with the herb, as well using it to flavour liqueurs and cheeses.
Thyme is an extremely versatile and helpful plant and when its used in oil or honey form and what it offers is experienced, it’s not hard to see why it’s so popular.
Organic Thyme Honey and Its Benefits
Honey bees create Thyme Honey from the pollen of the thyme plant, and it has a number of health benefits and medicinal uses. For example:
A Powerful Antioxidant
In our daily lives, things like air pollution, pesticides and even sunlight contribute to the creation of free radicals, but a regular dose of thyme honey can help to minimise the damage they cause.
Anti-Inflammatory Properties
The soothing, anti-inflammatory characteristics of Thyme Honey are evident from the moment you let its calming vapours fill your nose. It has a distinct, spicy and mildly bitter taste and it is effective at fighting inflammation all over the body, thanks to the high concentration of thymol (a helpful plant phenol). For example, if you have a sore throat, there’s nothing quite as gentle and soothing as a cup of Thyme Honey tea.
Cough Suppressant
If you have a nagging cough, Thyme Honey is a great way to get it under control, as it is able to combat the symptoms of the buildup of mucus and respiratory distress and leave you feeling calmed and relieved. At this time of the year coughs and colds are everywhere, so having a supply of Thyme Honey on standby for you or your family is a great idea.
Healing Properties
Whilst Thyme Honey is delicious as something you can spread on toast and enjoy as part of a tasty breakfast. It's also something that is incredibly useful when applied topically to cuts, burns and wounds. The reason for this is that it has powerful antibacterial properties that help to reduce swelling and inflammation on areas of the skin that have become damaged.
Anti-Allergenic
Thyme Honey has yet another use as a weapon against season allergies, thanks to the fact that it contains a variety of anti-allergenic compounds such as Quercetin. Quercetin is known to stabilise cell membranes of basophils and mast cells - those that release the histamines that cause a reaction - which helps to reduce the frequency and severity of allergic reactions.