Flowering Thyme: for Beauty and Strength
Thyme is an herb of multiple magical purposes and a wide variety of stories and lore. Thyme was known to the ancient Greek and Mediterranean cultures as an herb which grants courage-- in the European West, as well, Thyme is noted as an herb beloved of warriors and knights.
Thyme is believed to restore vigor and strength and support a person in the face of battles or obstacles. In both ancient Crete and ancient Egypt thyme was used in funeral rites: the herb is still used to this day both for its spiritual and scientific/medicinal qualities of purification and fortification.
In modern witchcraft, Thyme is ruled by the planet Venus and the element Air.
It is said that wild thyme specifically is associated with the Fae-- globally, the herb's scent is associated with such otherworldly messengers.
Thyme is antiseptic, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory. It fights deep-chest spasmodic coughs, colds, congestion, and bronchitis. It is a natural expectorant. A cup of thyme tea at bedtime is a useful cough remedy. Thyme is also absolutely amazing for the skin: many of the sought-after properties in high end skin care are naturally present in thyme.
In our garden right now, all of our thyme varieties are in bloom. On these gorgeous Spring mornings, the intoxicating scent of hundreds of tiny thyme flowers is enough to convince a skeptic of their otherworldly abilities. The beauty of this scent inspired me to make a batch of facial oil from the flowering thyme heads. This oil isn't strained and isn't fancy, but it is easy enough for anyone to make in their own kitchen, and it works beautifully. Please note: this oil is not for eating! Instructions for use follows the recipe below.
Flowering Thyme Facial/Beauty Oil with Vanilla Sugar
Ingredients:
2 tsp skin-safe castor oil (omit if sensitive)
2 tsp jojoba oil
2 tablespoons unscented coconut oil
4 tsp vitamin E oil
1 tsp vanilla sugar (see my post on how to make this here, or use plain raw granulated sugar)
3 heaping tablespoons fresh flowering thyme heads
Directions:
Muddle (crush) the thyme heads slightly with a mortar and pestle. then place them into an old clean spice jar-- see photo below.
Pour the oils and sugar over the thyme. Cap the jar with the spice cap with holes in it: this will act as a natural strainer as you use the oil.
Cap and store in a sunny location for a few days before use.
To use:
Shake well and pour a little on your hands. Apply to the skin with fingertips: massage in circular motions for 1 or 2 minutes. Wipe off with a warm, steamy washcloth. This makes an excellent cleansing oil and makeup-remover. It can also be used as an all-over moisturizer after the bath. As the thyme steeps in the oil, the scent will become stronger and the oil may turn greenish: this is normal and nothing to be concerned about. Discard after a few months, if you have any left-- a season (3 months) is a good rule.
Enjoy! Happy Spring, and please visit us on Instagram @cauldronkitchenwitchery
Thyme is believed to restore vigor and strength and support a person in the face of battles or obstacles. In both ancient Crete and ancient Egypt thyme was used in funeral rites: the herb is still used to this day both for its spiritual and scientific/medicinal qualities of purification and fortification.
In modern witchcraft, Thyme is ruled by the planet Venus and the element Air.
It is said that wild thyme specifically is associated with the Fae-- globally, the herb's scent is associated with such otherworldly messengers.
Thyme is antiseptic, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory. It fights deep-chest spasmodic coughs, colds, congestion, and bronchitis. It is a natural expectorant. A cup of thyme tea at bedtime is a useful cough remedy. Thyme is also absolutely amazing for the skin: many of the sought-after properties in high end skin care are naturally present in thyme.
In our garden right now, all of our thyme varieties are in bloom. On these gorgeous Spring mornings, the intoxicating scent of hundreds of tiny thyme flowers is enough to convince a skeptic of their otherworldly abilities. The beauty of this scent inspired me to make a batch of facial oil from the flowering thyme heads. This oil isn't strained and isn't fancy, but it is easy enough for anyone to make in their own kitchen, and it works beautifully. Please note: this oil is not for eating! Instructions for use follows the recipe below.
Flowering Thyme Facial/Beauty Oil with Vanilla Sugar
Ingredients:
2 tsp skin-safe castor oil (omit if sensitive)
2 tsp jojoba oil
2 tablespoons unscented coconut oil
4 tsp vitamin E oil
1 tsp vanilla sugar (see my post on how to make this here, or use plain raw granulated sugar)
3 heaping tablespoons fresh flowering thyme heads
Directions:
Muddle (crush) the thyme heads slightly with a mortar and pestle. then place them into an old clean spice jar-- see photo below.
Pour the oils and sugar over the thyme. Cap the jar with the spice cap with holes in it: this will act as a natural strainer as you use the oil.
Cap and store in a sunny location for a few days before use.
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| Built-in strainer! |
To use:
Shake well and pour a little on your hands. Apply to the skin with fingertips: massage in circular motions for 1 or 2 minutes. Wipe off with a warm, steamy washcloth. This makes an excellent cleansing oil and makeup-remover. It can also be used as an all-over moisturizer after the bath. As the thyme steeps in the oil, the scent will become stronger and the oil may turn greenish: this is normal and nothing to be concerned about. Discard after a few months, if you have any left-- a season (3 months) is a good rule.
Enjoy! Happy Spring, and please visit us on Instagram @cauldronkitchenwitchery
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