Thyme (thyme, Bogorodskaya herb). Thyme: medicinal properties and contraindications

Jan-21-2017

What is thyme, medicinal properties and contraindications, what beneficial properties does this plant have? All this is of great interest to those who healthy image life, monitors his health, and is interested in traditional methods treatment, including with the help of medicinal herbs and spices. So we will try to answer these questions in the following article.

Thyme (creeping thyme) is a perennial subshrub up to 15 cm high with creeping shoots and strong fragrant smell. Its thin, pubescent stems are red-brown. Leaves are opposite, short-petiolate, elliptical or ovate, up to 10 mm long and 3.5 mm wide, hard. The flowers are small, pinkish-purple, collected in axillary half-whorls, forming capitate inflorescences at the ends of the branches.

The fruits consist of 4 dark brown nuts. It blooms in June–August, the fruits ripen in August–September. Propagated by seeds and vegetatively (by seedlings). Raw materials are harvested in the flowering phase, on the waxing Moon, at sunrise, in dew, cutting off shoots without the rough bases of the stems.

Women are advised to collect purple-red flowers in June - July, while the color is clearly visible purple. For men, it is better to use pink thyme flowers collected in July - August. Dry the raw materials in attics, under sheds, spreading them out in a thin layer, stirring occasionally. In fire dryers, the temperature should not exceed 34–40 °C. After drying, the raw material is threshed, separating the coarse stems. Shelf life – 2 years.

Thyme is one of the oldest medicinal and spicy-aromatic plants, used since time immemorial and as a cult plant.

Creeping thyme is found throughout almost the entire steppe zone of Eurasia. Although the homeland of common thyme is the Mediterranean and it is found in the wild on the northwestern coast Mediterranean Sea, in Spain and in the south of France, it is cultivated even in the Krasnodar region.

Thyme is undemanding to soil fertility. Areas with high standing, heavy clay soil are completely unsuitable for them; plants suffer from prolonged stagnant moisture.

Thyme is propagated by seeds, and species with creeping shoots - vegetatively. Sunlit areas protected from cold winds are allocated for cultivation. The seeds are very small, so they are sown superficially, no deeper than 1 cm. They can be sown both in spring in open ground and late in autumn under snow. For seed germination, high soil moisture is needed. Small shoots appear after 2–4 weeks and at first develop very slowly.

Caring for thyme consists of thoroughly clearing weeds, loosening the soil between the rows and fertilizing with mineral fertilizers. For seed purposes, thyme is harvested from the second year of the growing season. The harvest is harvested in the mass flowering phase, starting from the second year of life, in dry weather. The first cutting of the above-ground mass is carried out in June, the second in September - October.

It’s not for nothing that thyme is called a home first aid kit. Small thyme leaves are completely dotted with glands containing fragrant essential oil. It is used in medicine as a highly effective bactericidal agent. The herb contains 0.6% -1.0% essential oil. The herb also contains tannins and dyes, bitterness, gum, quinic, caffeic, ursulic, chlorogenic, oleic and oleanolic acids, flavonoids, resins, fats, a large amount of mineral salts, vitamin C. The plant, which is inconspicuous in appearance, is classified as an aphrodisiac.

Benefits of thyme:

The above-ground part of the plant contains 0.5 - 1% essential oil, its main component is thymol, as well as carvacrol, linene, caryophyllene, borneol, terpineol, terpinene. Thymol is one of the strongest antiseptics today. In addition to essential oil, creeping thyme contains bitter, resinous and tannins, flavonoids, triterpene, ursolic, thymunic, oleanic, caffeic acids, saponins, minerals, vitamin C and carotene.

Thanks to this composition, creeping thyme is widely used in herbal medicine. It is used as an expectorant (an extract is made from common thyme and added to pectusin, a cough mixture). In combination with other carminative herbs, thyme is useful for bloating, colic, and intestinal dysbiosis. The infusion of the plant is used to rinse the mouth and throat for sore throats and stomatitis.

Thyme effectively helps with diseases such as joint and muscle rheumatism, bruises and non-infectious rashes. To combat them, take thyme baths.

Thyme essential oil is very useful in cosmetology. It stops hair loss, restores life to weakened, damaged hair that has been subjected to intense exposure. chemical substances during the dyeing and curling process.

Thyme tea helps children with dysbiosis.

Thyme extract and its essential oil are used in the perfumery and cosmetics industry in lotions, creams for normal and oily skin, shampoos and bath foams, as a flavoring agent for toilet soaps, lipsticks, and toothpastes. If you hang a cloth bag of thyme in your apartment, harmful microorganisms and chemical pollutants will disappear from the air. Their place will be taken by the beneficial and fragrant phytoncides of thyme. And if you put clothes in the closet with them, it repels moths.

Thyme is widely used as a seasoning and spice; it can be added to food as an independent seasoning, but more often it is part of mixtures.

In everyday life, thyme is used as a spice for salting, soaking, as a seasoning for vegetables, meat, fish dishes, for flavoring sausages, sauces, cheeses, jellies, tea. In cooking, the apical parts of non-lignified twigs are used: added to sandwich butter often together with tarragon and to flavor honey. Thyme greens can be added to food as an independent seasoning. However, most often it is part of various herbal mixtures for garnish, where it is indispensable along with parsley and bay leaf. Thyme is also used in cosmetics.

The thyme plant is a wonderful addition to tea and in the production of aromatic alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.

Harm:

Any plant can cause harm to humans if abused. Consuming an excessive amount of decoction can cause insomnia and nightmares. Correct dosage Thyme decoction is necessary for hypertensive patients and people suffering from Parkinson's disease. Taking decoctions is not compatible with certain medicines active action, consulting a doctor in this case will not be superfluous.

The harm of thyme decoctions when taken with alcohol is obvious! This can lead to low blood sugar and other unpleasant consequences. The herb, spice thyme may be harmful to people suffering from peptic ulcer, pyelonephritis.

But the main caveat is that active thyme accumulates toxic substances. To use a plant for treatment and health improvement, you need to be sure that it is collected away from roads and industrial enterprises with harmful emissions. The ecological integrity of the place where the plant is collected is the key to its effectiveness and benefits, otherwise there will only be harm!

In addition, it should be remembered that treatment with medicinal herbs requires compliance with:

Thyme is used in both folk and official medicine with great activity. Spice contains essential oils, flavonoids, vitamins C, E, B vitamins, rutin. This herb is rich in potassium, zinc, manganese, and concentrates iron, magnesium, selenium, and barium. Can be called whole line beneficial properties of thyme spice:

• It has anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antimicrobial, and refreshing effects.
• Indispensable in cases where it is necessary to achieve an analgesic effect, as it has a good effect on sensitive nerve endings. It is considered a pain reliever for radiculitis.
• Herbal infusion liquid extract, used as an expectorant and bactericidal agent. Indicated for bronchitis, whooping cough, softens cough.
• For some diseases of the stomach and intestines, the medicine “thymol” is prescribed; it is prepared on the basis of thyme.
• In dentistry, thyme compounds are used to anesthetize areas of manipulation and disinfect the oral cavity.
• IN folk practice Thyme tea is used as a diaphoretic and diuretic.

The plant has antiseptic, bactericidal, analgesic, diuretic, expectorant, diaphoretic, anti-inflammatory, anticonvulsant, antitumor, mild hypnotic, sedative (calming) effect.

Tea made from thyme herb is useful for insomnia, sluggish circulation, anemia, nervous exhaustion, long-term depressive and stressful conditions, a “twilight” state of mind, constant negative effects on the nervous system, with poor memory, hypertension, cerebral sclerosis in old age, irritability, neuroses, epilepsy, hysteria, convulsive syndromes, atherosclerosis, pain in the heart area, gout, anorexia

To improve digestion, juice secretion in the stomach and intestines, with stomach and intestinal colic and cramps, gastritis, stomach and duodenal ulcers, heartburn, flatulence, constipation, infections urethra, nephritis, pyelonephritis, articular and muscular rheumatism, paralysis, arthritis, radiculitis, bronchial asthma, asthmatoid conditions in the clinical picture of diencephalic paroxysms, whooping cough, dry and spasmodic cough, colds and infectious diseases respiratory organs, influenza, pneumonia, pulmonary tuberculosis, edema, puerperal fever, weakening of the body's immune forces, as a means of treating alcoholism and anthelmintic to remove tapeworm.

What are the benefits of thyme for men?

It is useful to like thyme tea for men who find it difficult to be sexually active, who have problems with potency, especially caused by alcohol abuse.

Tea. 1 – 2 tsp. dry crushed herbs with flowers, pour 0.2 liters of boiling water, leave, wrapped, for 4 - 6 hours at room temperature, strain. Drink in small portions - in 4 - 6 doses throughout the day with your favorite sweet. Tea is prepared daily and drunk for a long time, without breaks.

Mixed tea with thyme. Thyme, blackberry leaves, hemp and viburnum (1:2: 1:10); thyme, plantain, coltsfoot flowers (1:2:3). 1 tbsp. l. mixture, honey to taste. Prepare in the same way as thyme tea.

In families where there have been cases of brain dysfunction in previous generations, it is necessary to use this simple remedy at the first signs of the disease, or even earlier. Thyme tea perfectly improves memory and brain performance.

What does thyme treat?

How to take thyme to treat various diseases:

Tea to improve digestion:

Required:

• Thyme – 2 tsp.
• Boiling water – 0.5 l

What to do:

Pour boiling water over thyme and leave for 10–15 minutes. Strain. Divide the resulting tea into 3 parts. Drink warm, 3 times a day.

Thyme infusion for high nervous arousal, stress, anxiety, chronic fatigue:

Required:

1. Thyme – 2 tbsp. l.
2. Melissa - 2 tbsp. l.
3. Peppermint – 2 tbsp. l.
4. Black currant leaves - 2 tbsp. l.
5. Motherwort – 2 tbsp. l.

What to do:

Mix the herbs. Take 1 tbsp. l. collection, place in a thermos, pour 250 ml of boiling water and leave for 2 hours. Drink 100 g of infusion before bed.

Thyme tincture in comprehensive measures for recovery after a stroke:

Required:

• Dried thyme – 10 tbsp. l.
• Vodka – 0.5 l

What to do:

Pour vodka over thyme. Leave for 2 weeks. Rub the tincture into numb parts of the body.

Recipes from the book by R. Volkova “Encyclopedia of immune protection. Ginger, turmeric, rose hips and other natural immunostimulants.”

How to treat a cough with thyme?

– Mix in equal parts by volume thyme herb, raspberry leaves, walnut, figs, leaves and flowers of black elderberry, linden color.

1 tbsp. Pour a spoonful of dry crushed mixture into 1 glass of boiled milk, leave until it cools, strain. Drink warm during the day in small sips when coughing.

– Mix in parts by weight thyme herb – 2, chicory herb – 3, sage leaves – 2, chamomile flower – 1.

1 tbsp. pour a spoonful of dry crushed mixture into 1 cup of boiling water, leave, covered, for 20 minutes, strain. When coughing, drink in one warm, small sips with raspberry jam.

– Mix thyme herb, mullein-colored petals, and marshmallow roots in equal parts by volume.

3 tbsp. spoons of the dry crushed mixture pour 1.5 cups of boiling water, leave, covered, for 20–25 minutes, strain. When coughing, drink warm milk and honey in small sips.

– Mix in parts by weight thyme herb – 2.5, grape leaves – 2.5, fig leaves – 3, plantain leaves – 2, knotweed herb – 2, barley flour – 1.

1 tbsp. pour a spoonful of the mixture with 1.5 cups of boiling water, leave, covered, for 3 hours, strain. Drink at severe cough and colds, 1/2 cup, adding 1/2 cup of warm decoction of dry cherries each time, 3 times a day before meals.

How to treat alcoholism with thyme?

Mix in parts by weight thyme herb - 4, wormwood herb - 1, centaury herb - 1.

1 tbsp. Pour a spoonful of dry crushed mixture into 1 cup of boiling water, cook in a sealed container over low heat for 5 minutes, cool, strain. Take 1 tbsp when treating alcoholism. spoon 3 times a day before meals. The course of treatment is 2–3 months. If necessary, treatment can be repeated after a 2-3 week break.

– Mix thyme and oregano herbs in equal parts by volume.

4 tbsp. spoons of the dry crushed mixture, pour 0.5 liters of boiling water, leave, covered, for 30–40 minutes, strain. While the patient with alcoholism is still intoxicated, give him 200 g of infusion to drink, and after 2 hours - the rest.

Recipes from Nikolai Danikov’s book “Healing Spices for Health.”

What are the benefits of thyme for women?

Thyme or thyme is useful for women because it has the amazing property of significantly alleviating menstrual symptoms. Therefore, the plant is often used in gynecology. The herbs are used to make tea or make warm baths. Medicines containing thyme have a positive effect on the functions of genitourinary organs women and men. Except in cases where the person being treated has contraindications to the plant.

Sound sleep is important for a woman’s health, so those who suffer from insomnia and headaches are recommended to sleep on a pillow stuffed with dried flowers and thyme leaves.

Decoctions and essential oil of thyme are actively used in hair and skin care. Regular use of thyme-based products can significantly improve your appearance.

Thyme has the following cosmetic properties:

• Strengthens hair, makes it more manageable;
• Helps get rid of dandruff and irritation on the scalp;
• Effectively treats acne;
• Heals wounds.

Great video about the benefits of thyme!

Weight loss:

IN Lately A huge number of websites have appeared recommending thyme as one of the components of the diet. In fact, using thyme for weight loss and nothing more is extremely imprudent, because this plant has practically no effect on fatty tissue.

However, to argue that in the fight against overweight thyme is absolutely useless - also impossible. Still, this plant can improve digestion and correct metabolism, so if your weight problems are based precisely on the above problems, a drink from thyme can still have a positive effect.

One way or another, despite such low effectiveness in losing weight, it is not at all necessary to completely abandon this drink - it makes you feel much better, regardless of your weight. In addition, due to its pronounced taste and aroma, it can be an excellent seasoning for fish and meat.

Creeping thyme is a perennial subshrub from the Lamiaceae family. It reaches a height of 20–40 cm and ends in recumbent shoots. Stems with flowers are erect or erect, covered with hairs. The leaves are oblong-elliptical in shape with short petioles and studded with glands containing essential oil. Inflorescences are capitate, compact. The calyx is narrowly bell-shaped, hairy. The corolla is pinkish-lilac, two-lipped. Underlip the flower is longer than the tube, the lower one is broadly ovate, notched.

Useful properties of thyme

Creeping thyme is one of the best honey plants. It produces very fragrant honey. Previously, the dry parts of the plant were used in a mixture with other herbs for incense during worship. Today, raw materials from the aboveground part of the plant are in demand in the perfume industry.

Uses of thyme

Infusions and decoctions of the plant are effective against bronchitis, laryngitis, tonsillitis, tracheitis, bronchopneumonia due to their enveloping, expectorant and antiseptic properties. They are able to enhance the secretion of bronchial glands and thin mucus. Infusions and decoctions are prescribed as rinses for inflammatory diseases of the oral cavity caused by pyogenic bacteria. In the form of ointments, lotions and compresses, thyme is used for joint pain, rheumatism and various skin diseases.

The plant is successfully used for vaginal inflammation and leucorrhoea, especially in older women. Thyme is effective in inflammatory processes aggravated by pathogenic microflora, insensitive to antibiotics. Thyme preparations have antimicrobial effect even with an insignificant content of phenolic compounds in it. The plant is also good for insomnia. It is believed that if you sleep on a pillow made of this herb, it relieves anxiety and relieves headaches.

Thyme based recipes

Recipe No. 1. One or two teaspoons of dry crushed herbs are poured into 250 ml of boiling water, allowed to brew for 10 minutes and filtered. Drink 3 cups of tea a day.

Thyme is used as a seasoning that improves digestion.

Recipe No. 2. You need to mix 5 g of thyme, 2 g of rosemary, 1 g of wormwood and 12 g of table salt. Herbs are used in powder form. It is recommended to use the mixture for salads and main courses.

Thyme is used so widely known drug for coughs like “Pertussin”.

Recipe No. 3. You will need thyme extract - 12 parts, 80% alcohol - 5 parts, sugar syrup - 82 parts, potassium bromide - 1 part. When all the ingredients are mixed, the result is a dark brown aromatic liquid with a sweet taste. It is used as an expectorant and sputum-thinning drug for bronchitis, whooping cough and other diseases of the upper respiratory tract. The product is available in 100 ml bottles. Adults are recommended to take 1 tablespoon 3 times a day, and children – half a teaspoon, also 3 times a day.

Thyme decoction

Recipe No. 1. Two tablespoons of chopped dry herbs are poured into a glass boiled water, boil for 1–2 minutes and leave for an hour in a warm place. The decoction is filtered and taken 100 ml 3 times a day after meals.

Decoction of wormwood and thyme - excellent remedy for the treatment of alcoholism.

Recipe No. 2. Mix 4 parts thyme and 1 part wormwood. A tablespoon of the mixture is poured into 250 ml of water, boiled in a water bath for 5 minutes, infused and filtered. Take 1 tablespoon daily 3 times a day. The course of treatment is 2–3 months. Most often, after taking the decoction for two weeks, patients become indifferent to alcohol.

For colds and bronchitis, a decoction is also prepared.

Recipe No. 3. A tablespoon of herb is poured into 0.5 liters of boiling water, boiled for 5–7 minutes in a steam bath and infused for 10–15 minutes. After straining, the broth is taken warm 4-5 times a day, 1/3 cup. You can drink it half an hour before meals or 1.5–2 hours after it.
Thyme infusion

For anemia, diabetes or inflammation, thyme infusion is prepared together with blueberry shoots.

Recipe No. 1. Blueberry shoots and thyme herb are mixed in equal proportions, after which 1 tablespoon of the mixture is poured into 250 ml of boiling water and left for half an hour. After filtering, the finished infusion is divided into 2 servings and drunk during the day after meals.

In case of hair loss, dandruff or headache, rinse your hair with thyme infusion and allow your hair to dry naturally.

Recipe No. 2. 1/3 cup of dry herb is poured with a liter of boiling water and left for an hour. The infusion is used warm after straining.

Thyme is effective for colds and coughs, for which an infusion is prepared from it.

Recipe No. 3. A teaspoon of herb is poured into a glass of boiling water and infused for 10 minutes. After straining, the patient drinks 1 glass of the drink 3 times a day, sweetening the drink with honey.

Thyme tincture

Recipe 1. Add 3 tablespoons of dry herb to 100 ml of vodka and leave for three weeks in a dark place. After this, the tincture is filtered through several layers of gauze and used for rubbing.

A tincture of lemon balm and creeping thyme is used as an antipyretic and diaphoretic.

Recipe 2. 1 tablespoon of lemon balm and thyme is poured into 200 ml of vodka and left for 8-9 days in a dark place. The bottle or jar of tincture is shaken periodically. After straining, the product is taken orally 3 times a day at the rate of 25–30 drops of tincture in half a glass of water or used externally for rubbing.

Thyme oil

Thyme oil inhibits development putrefactive processes in meat. If you add it to meat broth, it can inhibit the growth of bacteria for three days. The oil stimulates digestion and is especially useful for atony of the stomach or intestines. It helps strengthen the body after illness.

But when using oil, it must be diluted, as you can get burns. Even when taking a bath, the oil must first be dissolved.

Thyme oil ointment: 3 g of oil and 5 g of any neutral cream must be mixed well. The product is recommended for use for dermatitis, eczema, purulent lesions skin, pediculosis.

Growing Thyme

Another way to grow thyme is cuttings, which is used much more often. To do this, after flowering, the shoots are cut using sharp scissors. Bottom part The shoot is completely cleared of leaves, and the cutting is planted in a pre-watered hole. Watering is carried out every other day until new leaves appear. As the shoots grow, they are pinned and sprinkled with soil on top. When the roots grow, the plant can be transplanted to another location if necessary.

Due to the fact that thyme has a superficial root system, the soil is cultivated shallowly. However, the planting site must be cleared of weeds. It should also be taken into account that the plant prefers slightly alkaline and neutral soils; it loves sunny places. If you move it into the shade, not only will it grow poorly, but its aroma will not be as strong as that of plants growing in well-lit places.

Thyme essential oil

The oil stimulates brain function, relieves fatigue, drowsiness, restores appetite, and improves memory. If you need to cheer up, thyme will help, if you need to relax, too. Surgeons used to add thyme when washing their hands before surgery because it is the best antiseptic of all those that were commonly used. Having an antiseptic effect on the intestines, the oil is good for intestinal infections.

Thyme seeds

The first shoots appear after 2–3 weeks and grow very slowly at first. The soil must be dug up, fed with fertilizers, and cleared of weeds. The harvest is harvested from the second year during the longest flowering period, in dry weather. Propagation by seeds is an easy and inexpensive way to decorate your garden with beautiful and healthy types of fragrant honey-bearing thyme.

Fresh thyme

An extract is prepared from fresh thyme for homeopathic medicines, it is used for pickling cucumbers, tomatoes, and squash. Fresh sprigs can add a piquant flavor to a sauce, soup or main dish; they are served with peas and beans. This spice is irreplaceable when preparing game and fish dishes.

Thyme extract

Not only here, but also in many countries around the world, thyme extract is used for medicinal purposes.

Common thyme

It is grown for its essential oil in Ukraine, Moldova, and the North Caucasus. The homeland of thyme is the Mediterranean. Thyme herb is used in medicine. Thyme is collected during its flowering period - in July, and sometimes a second time - in September-October. Dry the grass in the air, without direct contact sun rays. Store raw materials in cloth bags in well-ventilated areas for about a year, no more. Common thyme essential oil contains substances such as thymol and carvacrol, as well as linalool and borneol.

The plant contains organic acids such as triterpene, ursolic, caffeic, chlorogenic, as well as tannins and flavonoids. Thyme is successfully used in the treatment of the upper respiratory tract. It promotes expectoration and reduces spasms, while enveloping the mucous membrane. For inflammation of the oral cavity, rinses are prescribed, for skin diseases - baths and lotions. Common thyme has a subtle lemon aroma and is used as a seasoning in cooking and canning.

Lemon thyme

Lemon thyme is a garden form of the plant. It loves the sun, loose soil, and can do without fertilizers. Better to plant this type in a sandy substrate and prune in the spring to prevent the plant from growing. In a favorable climate, it easily and quickly grows throughout the garden and is propagated by cuttings. Lemon thyme grows wild in Spain.

The plant has antiviral, sedative and anti-inflammatory properties. It promotes the healing of wounds and abscesses, helps with psoriasis and eczema. In cosmetology it is recommended for acne.
Thyme

This vulnerable species is listed in the Red Book of Russia. It grows in the middle reaches of the Volga, in Bashkiria, in the Trans-Volga region. The flowering of the plant near the city of Astrakhan has stopped.

Thyme– a green subshrub reaching a height of 5–12 cm. Its stem is straight, the shoots are vertical, the leaves are ovoid, dense, located along the entire length of the stem. The flowers are collected in a bunch at the top of the stem and have a delicate pinkish tint. This species reproduces by seeds and vegetatively. This grass grows on rocky soil and blooms from June to August.

The collection of this plant is prohibited, although it has medicinal properties and is a honey-bearing plant.

Thyme black

Contraindications to the use of thyme

It is prohibited to treat children under two years of age with any herbal medicines. Self-medication is also contraindicated; an overdose can cause nausea and vomiting.

You can use decoctions and infusions of thyme only after consulting a doctor. In cooking, you also shouldn’t go overboard with adding thyme to your food. The essential oil contained in the plant can cause irritation to the stomach, kidneys, and liver. The herb is contraindicated for patients suffering from bronchial asthma, emphysema and hypertension. You should take medications made with the addition of thyme carefully and in dosage.

Many housewives value fragrant thyme as a spicy seasoning that enriches the taste of dishes and improves appetite. However, the scope of this aromatic plant is not limited to cooking. Thyme will help relieve coughs and eliminate pneumonia, save you from cramps, improve sleep and even relieve alcoholism.

What do we know about thyme?

The name “thyme” is commonly understood as a whole genus of similar plants, numbering several hundred species. They all have a lot in common - from appearance to healing properties.

T imyan is a small shrub with white or pink flowers, collected in inflorescences. The most common are the common and creeping types of this plant. Moreover, it is known that common thyme contains twice as much beneficial essential oils as its creeping relative.

In ancient times, thyme was especially revered by people - it was believed that, thanks to its divine power, it was capable of not only returning lost health to a person, but even bringing a dying person back to life.

Thyme is a perennial plant, also known as thyme or Bogorodskaya grass, was used by the ancient peoples of Egypt and Iraq for embalming mummies, and also as a powerful antiseptic. The name for thyme in Latin is thymiama, which means “incense” or “incense.”

No wonder ancient people Greece used thyme incense to honor the goddess Aphrodite in her temple, and the people of Rome dedicated it to the god Saturn. Baths with thyme were a favorite remedy for awakening courage in warriors preparing for battle. Surprisingly, the highlanders of Scotland added thyme to tea with the same purpose to awaken their strength and belligerence.

The greatest doctor and philosopher Central Asia Avicenna and the famous scientist and philosopher Ancient Greece Theophrastus highly valued the beneficial properties of thyme. They used it to prepare various healing potions that could defeat a variety of diseases.

Thyme acquired the name “Bogorodskaya herb” due to the fact that it has been used since ancient times Orthodox people for decorating icons Holy Mother of God on the occasion of the feast of Her Assumption. Believers believe that the herb with such a holy name can cure any disease.

Nowadays, thyme is very popular as a spice for sauces, cheeses, homemade preparations, salads, soups, fish, meat or legume dishes, as well as for confectionery. Moreover, thyme is used not only in dried form, but even in fresh. Classic spice mixtures such as the French herbes de Provence, bouquet garni and Egyptian dukkah cannot do without thyme.

How to collect, where to buy, how to choose and how to store thyme

The best time to collect thyme begins in June, when Bogorodsk grass begins to bloom. At this time, thyme is a real storehouse of useful substances, and the essential oil is contained in it in the greatest concentration.

It is best to look for Bogorodsk grass in a dry meadow or edge, in a forest or mixed forest, where there is a lot of sand and stones in the soil. You can recognize thyme, which blooms from June to August, by its woody stem up to 25 cm long and by its small pinkish inflorescences, shaped like a ball. Fragrant thyme flowers create a wonderful fragrant carpet that fills the entire space around.

The thyme should be cut very carefully, choosing only the upper, non-coarsened part. Under no circumstances should the plant be uprooted, because... this will lead to the destruction of natural thyme “plantations”. Then you need to leave the plant to air dry. After this, you need to separate the flowers and leaves from the stems in order to store them in an airtight container that protects from moisture for up to 3 years.

You can buy fresh thyme in markets and oriental bazaars. Special attention should be given to the appearance of the plant. Thyme leaves should be bright green and free of any signs of disease such as spots, damage or mold.

Fresh thyme can be stored for two weeks if placed in a container of water and refrigerated. You can also dry Bogorodskaya grass naturally or freeze it in crushed form.

Dried thyme can be purchased at a spice shop or grocery store. The seasoning should be uniformly crushed and dry, without foreign impurities and moisture.

Useful properties of thyme

Thyme, which has a strong spicy aroma and pungent taste, has proven itself since ancient times not only as aromatic spice, but also as valuable medicinal plant. The beneficial properties of thyme are determined by its composition, which combines essential oils such as thymol, borneol, carvacrol and cymene, as well as tannins, gum, bitterness, flavonoids and mineral salts. Thyme is rich in vitamins A, B1-B9, C, D, and E. The following are particularly noteworthy: healing properties thyme:

Tincture for recovery after a stroke

Pour 500 ml of vodka into 8 tablespoons of thyme inflorescences. Leave to infuse for 14 days in a dark place. Take 25 drops 3 times a day and rub the immobilized parts of the body with the tincture.

Decoction against dysbiosis and gastritis with low acidity

Bring a tablespoon of thyme herb to a boil in two glasses of water and immediately remove from heat. Leave for an hour, wrapped in a warm cloth. Filter and take twice a day 40 minutes before meals for two months.

Infusion against bronchitis and asthma

Brew a tablespoon of thyme with a glass of boiling water and leave in a thermos for 1-2 hours. Filter and consume a tablespoon after meals three times a day. In the case of treating cough in children, the dosage regimen remains the same, but you need to take the infusion one teaspoon at a time. Also additional effect will rub the infusion into chest followed by covering with a piece of paper, previously greased goat fat. Leave the compress overnight. Repeat the procedure 2-3 times. This way you can get rid of bronchitis forever.

Anti-cramp infusion

Brew 15 g of thyme with boiling water and leave for half an hour. Take a tablespoon three times a day.

Infusion for alcoholism

Make a mixture of thyme, centaury and wormwood in equal proportions. Then brew with boiling water at the rate of 15 g per 200 ml of water, infuse and take a tablespoon three times a day.

Thyme in cooking

Thyme stimulates appetite and improves digestion, which is why it has been used as a seasoning since ancient times. Thyme is widely used in homemade preparations, brewed as tea and adds piquancy to main courses. Here are some of best recipes with thyme.

Aromatic soothing tea

Mix thyme, St. John's wort and lingonberries in equal proportions. Brew a dessert spoon per glass of boiling water and leave for a quarter of an hour.

Chickpea cutlets with thyme

Soak a cup of chickpeas or lentils in a pan of water overnight. In the morning, boil until soft. Grind using a blender, meat grinder or potato masher until pureed with a small amount of small pieces. Add salt to taste, a clove of garlic or a pinch of asafoetida, and a pinch of dried thyme. Form cutlets, roll in flour and fry on both sides in a frying pan over medium heat.

Plum pie with thyme

Mix 160 g of flour with half a teaspoon of soda and 100 g of sugar in a bowl. Add a teaspoon lemon zest and stir. Then pour in 120 ml of fermented baked milk or yogurt and 80 g of sour cream with 15% fat content. Add to test egg(How many calories are in a boiled egg), beat with a whisk and pour in a teaspoon of vanilla essence. Knead the dough.

Line a baking dish with parchment and grease with three tablespoons of honey. Tear leaves from 4 sprigs of fresh thyme and place them in a baking dish. Next, place halves of ten pitted plums into the mold and fill with dough. Bake at 170 degrees for about an hour. Remove the finished cake from the pan and turn it over.

Contraindications

Because of high concentration thymol thyme can irritate the stomach, liver and kidneys. Therefore, thyme is contraindicated for people with peptic ulcers stomach and intestines, as well as for liver and kidney diseases. It should not be used by pregnant women either. Thyme is also contraindicated for illnesses. of cardio-vascular system and at reduced function thyroid gland. Too long use of thyme even healthy people may lead to hypothyroidism.

1. Thyme and savory are not the same thing. These are related plants that have a fragrant aroma and various medicinal properties.
2. It has been scientifically proven that thyme helps sensitive and restless people feel confident in themselves and their abilities.
3. To support immunity and protection against colds You can drink tea with thyme by adding a pinch of this seasoning to not too hot tea. A temperature of 30-40 degrees not only does not reduce the healing properties of Bogorodskaya grass, but also helps to activate the effect of essential oils.
4. Thyme helps awaken emotions, restore vitality and overcome depression.
5. To restore memory lost due to illness or injury, it is recommended to wash your hair with a decoction of Bogorodsk grass.
6. To carry out inhalation, you need to add 2-6 drops of thyme oil to a container with hot water or onto a clean handkerchief and inhale medicinal vapors for 10-15 minutes.
7. If you sleep on a pillow with thyme, you can not only gain strong and healthy sleep, but also to recharge with peace and tranquility for an active and long life.

Thyme - truly amazing plant, which can enrich a person’s life with its spicy aroma and cure him of many diseases. By using thyme wisely and in moderation, you can long years live an active and healthy life.

In ancient times, thyme (thyme) was used to get rid of many deadly ailments, in particular consumption. Now this herb continues to be used mainly as teas for respiratory diseases. However, the plant has many more uses; it is only important to remember the medicinal properties and contraindications of thyme.

Thyme - beneficial and medicinal properties

Thyme contains a large number of healing substances.

• The main ones are B vitamins, as well as A, E, K and C.
• Minerals worth mentioning are calcium, magnesium, iron, selenium and potassium.
• In addition, thyme contains thymol, ursolic acid, gum, linalol, ascaridole, carniophyllene, borneol and others.

In folk medicine, the above-ground part of the plant or essential oil made from leaves and stems is used. It has antibacterial, antimicrobial and antifungal properties. It can be used externally and as aromatherapy.

Thyme extract is used to thin phlegm and facilitate coughing. In terms of effectiveness, this product is in no way inferior to expensive syrups and mixtures. And this is especially useful when a child is sick, because thyme can be used from the age of three.

Thyme decoctions are used for:

• relieving spasms;
• getting rid of flatulence;
• during treatment inflammatory processes oral cavity, pharynx, larynx and lungs.

Teas and infusions help:

• normalize blood pressure;
• improve sleep and emotional state;
• increase appetite;
• reduce the manifestation of radiculitis and neuralgia;
• get rid of flatulence.

Benefits for women, men

• Thyme herb can be used in cosmetology. Infusions improve the appearance of hair, make it easier to comb and strengthen. hair follicles. To do this, rub a strong decoction of thyme into the scalp or rinse your hair with it after washing.
• Thyme oil is used for inhalation when steaming the skin, which allows you to saturate the dermis useful substances, open the pores and clean them of bacteria and dirt.
• They also use a toner for the skin, which helps narrow pores, normalize the functioning of the sebaceous glands, and reduce the number of inflammatory elements. To do this, pour 50 g of dry extract with a glass of boiling water, leave for half an hour and strain. The resulting infusion should be wiped on the face twice a day.
• Less concentrated infusions of thyme can be used for the whole body, in particular as adjuvant therapy in the treatment of cellulite and fat deposits. For this, 4 tbsp. l. thyme, pour 1 liter of boiling water and leave for 40–60 minutes. The liquid is then added to a warm bath. Frequency of use: 1–3 times a week for 10–15 minutes.
• Healing decoctions are recommended for use by women who experience severe pain during menstruation. Thyme teas can significantly reduce painful spasms, and also have a beneficial effect on the normalization of the cycle.

Thyme is a creeping perennial that grows in the form of a subshrub of the Lamiaceae family. This plant is often identified with thyme. In fact, thyme and thyme are close relatives belonging to the same genus. Each of them has its own varieties, some differences in color, smell, slight differences in the shape of the leaves and stem. But their similarity allows us to mistake them for the same plant, and their use by humans is the same.

What properties does creeping thyme have, why it is harvested and how it is used - this will be discussed in the article. You can use herbs only if you know all their properties, only then it will be beneficial and will not cause harm.

Thyme (thyme): chemical composition and nutritional value

The chemical composition of thyme contains powerful herbal antibiotic– carvacrol. He can overcome Staphylococcus aureus. The plant also contains essential oil containing a lot of thymol, linalool, and caryophyllene.

The plant contains the following elements:

What are the benefits of thyme?

Thyme has the following beneficial properties:

• anti-inflammatory;
• antiseptic;
• diuretic;
• anticonvulsant;
• antipyretic;
• painkiller;
• hypnotic.
Active substances– resins, essential oil, tannins, mineral salts, flavonoids and bitterness, acids – provide wide range effects of the herb on the human body.

Creeping thyme is also useful because it is a good honey plant. The honey made from it is very fragrant. The beneficial properties of thyme appear when brewed in tea - it is considered natural stimulant, used for stress, for the treatment of depression, migraines, neurasthenia. The use of thyme in tea is very useful for children suffering from anemia.

Dry herbs were previously used for incense during divine services. Today, the above-ground part of the plant is in great demand in the perfume industry.

Pharmacological properties of thyme


The thyme plant has medicinal properties due to its chemical composition. Thymol, which is abundant in thyme, is a phenol derivative. But thymol has less toxicity and a gentler effect on mucous membranes, and is a good bactericidal agent in the fight against coccal flora. Thymol exhibits great activity against pathogenic fungi, whipworms, and tapeworms.

Healing essential oils contained in the plant are effective for bronchitis and other pulmonary diseases, especially with whooping cough and asthma. They are also useful for infectious intestinal inflammation.

The diaphoretic properties of creeping thyme make it an effective diaphoretic, which is useful for colds, runny nose and flu. The ability to regulate the activity of the nervous system is useful for people suffering from insomnia.

Fermentation in the intestines is relieved by decoctions and infusions of thyme. Therefore, it is taken when eating fatty, heavy foods to normalize digestion.

Thyme has beneficial properties in the treatment of arthritis and rheumatism. In this case, it is used externally. Thyme is also used externally in the form of lotions, compresses and ointments, which are effective for skin diseases.

Did you know? Thyme infusion causes a strong aversion to alcohol, which is why it is used to treat alcohol addiction.

Thyme is also useful for men. It concentrates microelements important for men's health. Selenium in the plant is necessary for the synthesis of testosterone, molybdenum activates enzymes responsible for normal sexual function.

How is thyme used in folk medicine?

In folk medicine, thyme is often used due to its availability, taste and, in fact, medicinal properties. The simplest form of use is thyme tea. To prepare this you can use fresh plant or dried. Pour a teaspoon of herbs into a glass of hot water, leave for five minutes - and the tea is ready, you just need to strain it. You can also mix the herb with black tea.

In the fight against alcoholism, a decoction of thyme is used. It is prepared by pouring 15 grams of raw material into 500 ml of boiling water. The mixture is kept in a water bath for 15 minutes, filtered and boiling water is added to obtain 500 ml. Such decoctions are effective for withdrawal from binge drinking. You can take a decoction of 50 grams for two weeks, and after it drink a little alcohol. Persistent vomiting reflex helps to turn away from alcohol.

For radiculitis and joint diseases, prepare a tincture of thyme. To prepare it, you need to take 8 tablespoons of raw materials and pour 0.5 liters of vodka into them. Leave in a dark place for two weeks, shaking. Then strain the mixture and rub it into the diseased parts of the body. You can also take baths for such diseases - take 200 grams of thyme for 2 liters of boiling water and infuse it. Take a bath for 15 minutes two days.

For female diseases, douching can be done. For them, you need to pour one part of the raw material with three parts of water, boil for a couple of minutes, cool and strain. Douching is carried out at night.

For sexual weakness in men, the following recipe is used: 2 tablespoons of the herb, pour 500 ml of boiling water, leave for 2-3 hours. Then strain and take half a glass half an hour before meals twice a day.


You can gargle with thyme for inflammatory diseases of the oral cavity and pharynx. The crushed herb is poured with boiling water, left for an hour and after filtering, rinsed with warm infusion. Also helps with toothache.

Thyme decoctions are taken for the following conditions:iyah: Gtin pains, insomnia, nervous excitement, neuralgia, epilepsy, fear, stress, pneumonia, anemia, bronchitis, intestinal diseases, stomach diseases and so on.

Thyme oil found application in cosmetology. It is used for the beauty and strength of hair. Use it before washing your hair - you need to rub it into the scalp or mix the oil with shampoo, about 5 ml per 20 ml of shampoo. It will help get rid of dandruff, normalize the functioning of the sebaceous glands, and reduce oily hair.

Also, to prevent hair loss, decoctions of thyme are used - 4 tablespoons of the herb, pour 400 ml of water, boil for 10 minutes, strain, cool. After washing your hair, rinse your hair with it. There is no need to wash it off.

Herbal medicine with thyme includes steam baths for facial skin. Thyme (thyme) is poured with boiling water for 20 minutes. Take a tablespoon of herb per half liter of water. Bend over the hot broth, covering your head with a towel. Face over steam bath hold for 10 minutes.

Important! Safety rules must be followed. The procedure must be performed without fanaticism - if it is too hot, you should not endure it. It is necessary to ensure a comfortable temperature and the required distance of the face above the broth.

For sagging skin, enlarged pores, and inflammation, thyme compresses are used. A glass of boiling water is combined with a tablespoon of thyme and allowed to cool. Afterwards, you can moisten a gauze or cotton napkin in the broth and apply it to your face. The procedure lasts 15-20 minutes.

Use of thyme in cooking

Thyme leaves are used in cooking. This seasoning is used fresh and dried. A pungent smell, spicy, slightly bitter taste - such is thyme in dishes.

Thyme leaves added to dishes improve the taste and aroma and give a bitterness. In baking, thyme is the leading spice. Vegetable dishes - cabbage and potatoes - are also transformed with the addition of thyme.

Using thyme as a seasoning fatty dishes helps improve digestion. Due to its wonderful aromatic properties, thyme is used in small quantities for cooking.

Did you know? If thyme oil is added to meat broth, it can inhibit bacterial growth for three days.

Procurement of medicinal raw materials


The location in which the thyme grew plays a big role. Grass should be collected only in areas with good ecology, away from roads and industries.

For treatment, the above-ground part of the plant is collected. Collection is carried out during the flowering period - late June - early August. Shoots with flower stalks are cut with scissors and placed in bags or baskets so that they do not wrinkle or become compressed.

Important! To harvest, do not uproot the thyme. The roots are not used for treatment, but they are necessary so that the plant can reproduce vegetatively.

Thyme should be collected in dry weather, after the morning dew has dried. Raw materials must be cleaned of woody stems, diseased and thinned shoots, as well as insect larvae.