Practical
Plants

Acinos arvensis

Basil Thyme

an annual or perennial herbaceous herb of the Acinos genus in the family Labiatae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Family
Labiatae
Genus
Acinos
Life cycle
annual, perennial
Woodiness
herbaceous
Height
0.15 m
Spread
0.3 m
Fertility
self fertile
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Flower colours
indigo, violet
Pollinators
Bees

Uses

Edible uses

The flowering tops are used as a flavouring[8][3][4] and in salads[6]. Said to be similar to thyme in odour but milder and more pleasant[4]. The plant is only faintly aromatic and does not really make a very good substitute for thyme[238, K].

Plant part
Leaves
Product or use
Salad

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

Basil thyme was a great favourite of the ancient herbalists, though it is little used medicinally at present[8]. The herb is diuretic, odontalgic, rubefacient and stomachic[8][9][6]. The essential oil has been applied externally as a rubefacient, whilst one drop of it put into a decayed tooth is said to alleviate the pain[8]. The plant has also been added to bath water, especially for children, and is said to be a strengthener and nerve soother[8]. The flowering plant is harvested in the summer and is normally used fresh in infusions[6].

Plant part
Leaves
Product or use
Diuretic
Plant part
Leaves
Product or use
Odontalgic
Plant part
Leaves
Product or use
Stomachic
Product or use
Rubefacient

Material uses

The plant makes a good ground cover[7].

Ecology and functions

Ecosystem niche
Soil surface

Environment

Range
Europe, including Britain, from Scandanavia to the Mediterranean and east to W. Asia.
Habitat
Dry sunny banks and in fields on chalky, gravelly and sandy soils[2].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
no shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 4+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline, very alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

Seed - sow early spring in a cold frame. If you have sufficient seed then you could try sowing in situ in April or May. Germination should take place within a month. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in the summer. Division in spring. Basal cuttings in late spring. Very easy[K].

Cultivation

Succeeds in any well-drained soil[7], though it prefers a light well-drained dry soil in full sun[1][6]. Prefers sandy and alkaline growing conditions[6]. Dislikes shade. A very hardy plant, tolerating temperatures down to at least -15°c[6]. A short-lived perennial, but the plants usually self-sow when they are growing in a suitable position[6].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

    ↩

  2. Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press 1962-00-00

    ↩

  3. Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984-00-00 ISBN 3874292169

    ↩

  4. Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9

    ↩1↩2

  5. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

  6. Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995-00-00 ISBN 0-7513-020-31

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7

  7. Phillips. R. & Foy. N. Herbs Pan Books Ltd. London. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30725-8

    ↩1↩2

  8. Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  9. Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202

    ↩

Edit this page