Combustion of thyme

I was using my coal fired riveting forge outside a couple of days ago, and the fire was dull. But I was feeling cold, heavy and phlegmatic, so on a whim I put thyme into the fire as I knew it made me feel more airy and light when drunk as tea. However what happened was that the fire increased in intensity but not in heat. The coals were bright and there was a lot barely visible flames burning high and very little smoke, but it didn't put off much heat. The iron likewise despite being bright cherry red in colour was cool enough that I could bring my bare hand to within a 1/3rd of an inch before it felt uncomfortable, and although it had the colour of red it wasn't radiant, more like it was painted red. as soon as the thyme burned away the reaction ceased and the fire went back to being cool and dull. I tried clearing the sifts and working the bellows harder, but nothing had the same effect. My guess is that excessive air and water energy was somehow messing with an otherwise normal fuel-air reaction. Any other ideas?

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