Coridothymus capitatus (L.) Reichb
Thyme
Folklore –
Where is it referred to in the Tozfot?
Who are the people who use it?
For what medical purpose is it used?
Uses –
In the treatment of –
Disease of the digestive tract
Temporary paralysis of the limbs
Description – A dwarf-shrub of the Labiatae family whose 20-40 cm high. The plant grows on limestone terrain. On chalk and marl in the mountainous area, and in the coastal plain - on kurkar. The branches are woody, growing in high density to form a tangled dome. The leaves are narrow, hardened and pointed, growing densely on the branches. The leaf is covered with pits, containing glandular hairs giving off a characteristic smell. Thyme flowers from May to October. The pinkish-purple flowers are arranged in a dense egg like head. The fruit is composed of four nutlets. The plant is collected throughout the year.
Reference and Folklore – The Jewish forefathers used thyme as an edible plant: "A package of Azov and the Seyah and the Kornit (Thyme) pluck and eat" (Tozfota, Sabbath XV, XII) and for heating "A package of Azov and the Seyah and the Kornit (Thyme) if he put inside as timber or as food for the livestock eats from them on Sabbath" (Tozfota, Sabbath XIIII, XII).
From Maimonides - "Hasha, he is a species of the Tsatar (Thyme), His Greek name is Thymeron and in Spanish Tomyla".
Maimonides refers to thyme as a medicine that cleanses all that is in the chest a "miracles cleansing".
" For bee stings and wasps from what shall he drink for their healing, seed of Altiah (Alcea Setosa (Boiss) Alef.) five Drachmons (3.732 grams), cooked in half a Litra (358.5 grams) of water and an Uncia (1/12 of a Litra) of wine and drink it. After Balmitae be Alnamam (Thyme), drink from his leaves the weight of a Shekel (7.2 gram) in two Uncea"
Folk medicine – Thyme is widely accepted in the folk medicine of many Jewish community's and the Arabs living in Israel, as a remedy for cough, cold, toothache, disease of the digestive tract, in severe constipation, temporary paralysis of the limbs, labored breathing, loss of appetite and general weakness.
Uses – Pour a spoonful of thyme leaves, green or dry, into a cup of boiling water, wait a few minutes, filter and drink. This tea is very efficient in treating disease of the digestive tract, cough, cold, severe constipation and general weakness.
To help open the airway: cook a handful of Thyme in a Liter of water. As the steam rises from the kettle create a tent from a towel on the head, and breathe the steam.
For toothache: chew 5-10 leaves and place the chewed material on the painful teeth.
For temporary paralysis of the limbs: cook 100 grams of leaves in a liter of water for half an hour. Filter and pour the fluid into a warm water bath. Stay in the bath for half an hour. Repeat this treatment every day for a month.