Magickal Properties of Thyme for Herbalism & Witchcraft

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Lore & History of Thyme

Thyme is a creeping, aromatic herb originally native to the Mediterranean and Spain.

In folk medicine, thyme has been utilized heavily for its many herbal properties, including expectorant, antispasmodic, antiseptic, nervine, digestive, disinfectant, etc. 

In Ancient Egypt, thyme was valued as part of the embalming process.

In Morocco, it has a history of being used to fumigant against illnesses.

Old folk occult practices believed placing thyme under a pillow protects against negative spirits, including those that cause nightmares.

In Ancient Greece and Rome it was seen as a symbol of strength, power, courage and sacrifice

In Ancient Greece, they used thyme as a talisman to guard against disease and would burn thyme to purify their temples. 

Some Romani believed wild thyme was to be avoided, believing its presiding spirit was evil. A spell containing thyme would hasten someone's death or inflect them with a disease by bringing it into the intended victim's home.

In some areas of Europe, thyme was included as a funerary sprig. It is said that wearers of thyme will see fairies.

In Spain and Portugal, thyme was used to protect against the evil eye. Burning of thyme utilized the aromatic smoke as purification.

It was customary for ladies to embroider a bee hovering over a sprig of thyme on scarves to present to knights due to its energy of bravery.

Magickal Attributes of Thyme

Thyme carries feminine energy related to the water elements and the planet Venus. This energy creates its association with deities of beauty and fertility, including Aphrodite and Venus. Wild Thyme, in particular, is considered sacred to the Norse goddess Freya.

It's occult attributes range and include: Affection, Communication, Cooperation, Courage, Dreams, Happiness, Love, Psychic Abilities, Protection, Purification, Success.

Magickal Uses

• Give food with thyme to someone you want to promote congeniality with

• Sweep a room with thyme after an argument

• Use to ease sadness & restore optimism

• Cleanse a room with thyme before a meeting to promote cooperation

• Hang on a room to promote cooperation and congeniality

• Grow in your garden to draw fae and nature spirits to help with your garden

• Use to purify spaces of negative energies

• Create a cleaning spray with thyme to cleanse spaces energetically and physically.

•  Place thyme oil on temples to clear the mind, ease anxiety, and promote creativity and intuition.

• Add thyme to a dream sachet to promote prophetic dreams

• Bathe in a bath with thyme to promote love & heal from heartbreak 

Medicinal Actions of Thyme

Thyme is a widely used herb in folk medicine, with centuries of use backing its validity. Most of its folk uses to connect to the digestive and respiratory functions of the body.

It is also well known to protect against infections with its antibacterial, antimicrobial, antiviral and antioxidant herbal actions. This can be seen as one of the ingredients in the famous Four Thieves Vinegar.

Other uses are its nervine actions to help aid the nervous system, and its uterine tonic, making it an ally for menstrual uses as well.

Energetically, thyme is drying & warming.

Medicinal Actions include: Anti-inflammatory, Antibacterial, Anticatarrhal, Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, Antiseptic, Antispasmodic, Antiviral, Astringent, Carminative, Diaphoretic, Diuretic, Emmenagogue, Expectorant, Nervine

*Safety: Thyme’s essential oil can cause skin irritation; use with caution. Use only culinary amounts during pregnancy as it has been linked with uterine stimulation. 

Chevallier, Andrew. Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants. St Leonards, Nsw., Dorling Kindersley, 2001.

Cunningham, Scott. Cunningham’s Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs. Woodbury, Mn., Llewellyn Publications, 2013.

---. Cunningham’s Encyclopedia of Wicca in the Kitchen. Llewellyn Worldwide, 8 Apr. 2012.

Giesecke, Annette, and P Ovidius Naso. The Mythology of Plants : Botanical Lore from Ancient Greece and Rome. Los Angeles, Ca, J. Paul Getty Museum, 2014.

Hoffmann, David. Medical Herbalism : The Science and Practice of Herbal Medicine. Rochester, Vt., Healing Arts Press, 2003.

Schulke, Daniel, and Benjamin Vierling. The Green Mysteries an Occult Herbarium. Three Hands Pr, 2017.

Information offered on From the Witch's Kitchen websites is for educational purposes only. The From the Witch's Kitchen makes neither medical claim, nor intends to diagnose or treat medical conditions. Links to external sites are for informational purposes only. The From the Witch's Kitchen neither endorses them nor is in any way responsible for their content. Readers must do their own research concerning the safety and usage of any herbs or supplements.