Medicinal plants. Thyme or creeping thyme

Thyme, thyme, Bogorodskaya herb - all this different names the same plant, long known for its medicinal and divine powers. Since ancient times it has been used in folk medicine and cooking, they fumigated rooms with it and treated fear in young children. This multidisciplinary application is explained by numerous valuable beneficial features plants, which we will consider in this article.

Thyme has truly unique composition. It contains many substances necessary for the human body:

• healthy bitters;
• B vitamins;
• organic acids;
• ascorbic acid (vitamin C);
• flavonoids;
• gum;
• micro- and macroelements – potassium, phosphorus, calcium, selenium, magnesium, iron, sodium, copper, zinc, manganese;
• carotene;
• tannins;
• thymol;
• resin.

The calorie content of thyme is about 66 kcal per 100 g of dry crushed raw materials.

Useful properties of thyme

Bogorodskaya grass has a positive effect on almost all our organs and systems. However, judge for yourself!

• Respiratory system

Thyme has an antimicrobial, bronchodilator, diaphoretic, expectorant and anti-inflammatory effect, which makes it indispensable in the treatment of ARVI and sore throat, cough and pneumonia, influenza and bronchitis, bronchial asthma and tuberculosis. Moreover, using thyme with for preventive purposes, you can avoid these illnesses even during seasonal epidemics.

• Nervous system

Thyme perfectly tones the entire body and is powerful natural stimulant. It is often used to treat insomnia, epilepsy, neurasthenia, neuralgia, paralysis, depression and migraines. It also calms the nerves during severe stress and relieve cramps. A decoction of Bogorodskaya herb increases performance and stimulates human activity, providing a surge of strength and energy, and also helps overcome chronic fatigue.

• Gastrointestinal tract

The herb thyme has been used for a long time to treat gastrointestinal diseases. Infusions and decoctions based on it prevent bloating and gas formation, stop putrefactive fermentation in the intestines and contribute good digestion food eaten. Thyme also helps with diseases such as chronic colitis, constipation, intestinal atony and dysbiosis. Let's not forget about the strong anthelmintic effect of this remedy.

• Thyme for women's health

In folk medicine, thyme is used to treat inflammation of the ovaries and amenorrhea, and also relieve severe menstrual pain. Special attention you should try tea with thyme - the best remedy to improve lactation.

• Oral cavity

Got used to antibacterial drugs? Did you know that freshly squeezed thyme juice is an excellent alternative to antibiotics in the treatment of gingivitis, stomatitis and inflammation? palatine tonsils? Essential oil of Bogorodsk grass is very popular among manufacturers of tooth powders, pastes and elixirs. Rinse your mouth fresh decoction thyme, you will freshen your breath and forever forget about what it means bad smell from mouth.

• Thyme and male power

Bogorodskaya herb effectively fights prostatitis, and regular intake of infusions of this plant prevents premature ejaculation and eliminates sexual weakness(impotence).

• Thyme for children

Are you one of those parents who prefer natural medicines synthetic drugs? You just need to buy a couple of packs of thyme at the pharmacy. This herb has antiseptic and disinfectant properties and helps get rid of rickets and rheumatism. If the child does not sleep well and often wakes up with tears in his eyes, bathe him in warm water with the addition of thyme - the baby will sleep calmly and soundly.

• Thyme for alcoholism

Alcoholism is the main enemy of humanity. Do not rush to contact doctors or healers to get rid of this addiction You can do it on your own, but the same thyme will help you with this. The fact is that thymol, which is part of this plant, can provoke severe vomiting. So why don't you try the following recipe?

Pour 15 g of thyme into a glass of boiled water, simmer in a water bath for about 15 minutes, drain the liquid and dilute it with the same amount of boiled water. This decoction should be taken three to five times a day, 70 ml. After the medicine, let the patient smell the vodka (for 5-7 minutes), and then ask him to drink it (25 grams is enough). All these actions will lead to severe nausea and vomiting. Keep in mind - the herbal decoction must be freshly prepared.

Treatment of alcoholism with thyme lasts a couple of weeks, after which a person develops a persistent aversion to any alcoholic beverages.

• Bogorodskaya herb in cooking

Fish and meat, pickles and pickled dishes, tea and cheeses, baked goods and bakery products, butter and honey, sauces and sausages, canned food and jellies, legumes and potatoes - all these dishes cannot be done without fragrant seeds thyme. And thyme leaves are part of a large number of herbal mixtures and seasonings.

• The use of thyme in cosmetology

Thyme essential oil can be found in many cosmetics. It has the power to restore damaged and weakened hair as a result of dyeing, as well as stop its further loss.

• And a few more words about the beneficial properties of thyme

Since ancient times, thyme has been used to fight diseases such as joint and muscle rheumatism. In this case, regular warm baths will help. And the essential oil extracted from this plant brings great benefit for whooping cough, asthenia, mycosis and chlorosis. Moreover, thyme can be used to successfully treat skin rashes, nasal diseases and the consequences of bruises.

The beneficial properties of thyme are best manifested during the flowering period of the plant - from June to July. Feel free to collect and dry the grass during this period.

Treatment with thyme: popular recipes of traditional medicine

• Tincture for stroke: pour 16 tsp. thyme flowers 0.5 liters of vodka and put the container in a dark closet. Drink 35 drops three times a day. The same remedy should be used to rub numb parts of the body.
• For headaches or memory loss due to injury, lubricate your head daily with a warm decoction of Bogorodsk grass.
• Decoction for dysbacteriosis: pour a tablespoon of thyme into 0.4 liters of water and let the liquid boil. Wrap the container with the medicine and let it sit for an hour. Drink the decoction 40 minutes before meals twice a day. In about a month, the intestinal microflora will be completely restored.
• The decoction for concussion is prepared according to the previous recipe, only it is taken slightly differently - 65 ml three times a day before meals. The course is from 6 months to one year. This tool improves sleep, relieves headaches, strengthens the nervous system and promotes speedy recovery brain function.
• Decoction for cataracts: grind 100 grams of dry thyme herb into powder, mix with 0.5 kg of honey and simmer in a water bath for about an hour. Remember to stir the mixture constantly, otherwise it will burn. Drink 1 teaspoon before bed, store the rest in the refrigerator.
• Infusion for impotence: pour 1 tbsp into a glass of boiled water. l. dried thyme flowers, cover the container with the medicine and set aside for about an hour. Drink 30 minutes before meals up to six times daily.
• Decoction for stomach cancer: pour 1 part of crushed thyme with 10 parts of water, simmer for about half an hour in a water bath. Cool, drain and drink 100 ml per day.
• Infusion for hair loss and seborrhea: pour 250 ml of boiled water with 2 tsp. chopped thyme (dry). After an hour, strain the liquid and drink 70 ml three times a day.
• Tincture for the prevention of ARVI and influenza: mix 220 ml of alcohol (70%) with 50 g of dry thyme in a glass container. Place the container in a dark and fairly warm place (20-25 degrees). The tincture should be shaken once every two days. Drink 100 ml per day as a preventive measure. This product can be stored for at least five years.

Contraindications to the use of thyme

Despite its wide spectrum of action, thyme, like any medicine, has its contraindications. True, there are not so many of them:

• Pregnancy. The tonic effect of this herb can cause the development of pathologies in the unborn baby and lead to uterine tension.
• Irregularities at work thyroid gland.
• Atrial fibrillation.
• Problems with the liver and kidneys - hepatitis, pyelonephritis.
• Endocrine pathologies – diabetes, obesity.
• Chronic diseases of the digestive system (gastritis and ulcers).

Be that as it may, before drinking thyme infusions and teas, you must consult a qualified doctor.

This is just a small list of the properties for which Bogorodskaya grass is famous. Don't forget about the enormous potential that Mother Nature holds within you and stay strong and healthy.

Thyme or thyme creeping (lat. Thýmus serpýllum) - perennial family Lamiaceae. The genus thyme has many species - creeping and flea thyme, Ural and Siberian thyme, Crimean and Zhiguli thyme, small-leaved thyme and other species. They are slightly different in their own way appearance, and in terms of the composition of the substances contained, but all have healing properties and are used in folk medicine. Beauty of flowering, indescribable aroma, rich in bio chemical composition attracted the attention of many scientists and healers to thyme.

Thyme grows in forest clearings and edges, in sandy steppes and on rocky slopes. As medicinal raw materials They use the above-ground part of the plant, which is cut off during flowering and dried in the shade, laying out the raw materials in a thin layer, turning them over periodically. At this point, when all the properties of this small plant have been studied, only one question remains: are thyme or thyme the same thing? Scientists say that from a botanical point of view, the correct name is thyme, since the name of this genus comes from the Greek “thymon”. In the vastness of Russia, the more commonly used popular name is thyme. In Ukraine, thyme is sometimes called thyme - this is a more archaic Slavic name. But thyme and savory are not the same thing, although many people think that “savory” is a shortened word for “thyme.” In fact, these are completely different plants (albeit close relatives belonging to the same family). Both contain fragrant essential oils and have long been known as herbs and medicinal plants. People sometimes use another name for thyme - Bogorodskaya or Bogoroditskaya grass.

This amazing plant contains a lot useful substances- this is an essential oil rich in thymol and carvacrol, there is also a small amount of cymene, pinene, terpinene. The chemical composition contains flavonoids, tannins, organic acids - oleanolic, ursolic, caffeic, vitamins, fats, resins, gum, bitterness and mineral salts.

Useful and medicinal properties of thyme

Since ancient times, scientists have studied thyme and its medicinal properties. Information about this was preserved in the works of Theophrastus and Avicenna. They considered it a Divine herb that helps a person not only cope with many diseases, but also, by taking it, prolong his life. What is the secret of such constant popularity over many centuries?

First of all, it should be noted that thyme has powerful antiseptic properties. In this regard, it can be used both for the treatment and prevention of various inflammatory diseases. The main quality of thyme, due to which it is widely used, is its strong anti-inflammatory, expectorant and bronchial dilating property. For this reason thyme infusion has long been used in the treatment of prolonged cough, bronchitis, and whooping cough.

Decoction and infusion are used to rinse the mouth when dental diseases– stomatitis, gingivitis, for diseases of the pharynx - for tonsillitis, pharyngitis. The infusion is also used in the form of inhalations.

The decoction is used to wash purulent wounds and ulcers, and to make lotions for acne and boils. Thyme treats radiculitis, sciatica, neuritis, it relieves well painful sensations. An infusion of the herb is used internally for abdominal pain, gastritis, gastrointestinal colic, constipation and flatulence.

Thyme has a beneficial effect on intestinal microflora. Tea with the addition of thyme is drunk to improve digestion and increase appetite.

Externally used in the form of compresses, lotions, added to medicinal baths for articular rheumatism. Steamed thyme herb treats arthrosis and gout. The juice and powder of the plant treats inflammation of the sciatic nerve.

The calming and hypnotic effects of thyme have a beneficial effect on the nervous system and are used to treat nervous disorders, depression, and insomnia. A pad filled with dry grass will provide falling asleep quickly and calm deep sleep. The antispasmodic effect of this medicinal herb is used to treat arterial hypertension, for migraines. Traditional healers It is recommended to wash your hair with a decoction of thyme for severe headaches.

Zinc and other beneficial substances contained in thyme have a beneficial effect on male body. Thyme preparations - decoctions, infusions, oil are used for treatment of prostatitis and impotence. The infusion is taken orally, the decoction is added to medicinal baths, and the oil is rubbed into the perineal area.

Thyme also helps in the fight against alcoholism. It is difficult to overestimate the effect of thyme on the body, weakened and poisoned by alcohol toxins. The plant actively cleanses the liver, providing an additional hepatoprotective function, and removes waste and toxic toxins caused by the breakdown of ethanol from the body. In addition to the general beneficial effect on the body of an alcoholic, thyme causes a persistent aversion to alcohol. That is why thyme is widely used in the treatment of alcoholism. folk remedies. The reaction of mixing thyme with ethyl alcohol, can even cause complete intolerance to alcohol. Tea with thyme relieves fatigue, increases immunity and performance, improves metabolism and well-being, and strengthens the body. Thyme is used in Food Industry, as an aromatic spice, is added when preparing various dishes, marinades and pickles, and in alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.

The use of thyme in folk medicine.

The most popular product from this plant is, of course, tea. Making thyme tea is quite simple. Pour a teaspoon of dried or fresh flowers into a glass of boiling water, leave for about five minutes, strain and drink like tea, you can add honey. You can mix dry or fresh thyme with regular black tea.

For neuroses, convulsions, insomnia: 15 g of dry crushed raw materials, pour 1 glass of boiling water, leave for 30–40 minutes, strain. Drink 2 tbsp. spoons in the morning, at lunch and ¼ cup 2 hours before bedtime.

Calming collection: take equal amounts of thyme, hops, Chernobyl, oregano, yasnotka, knotweed, initial cap, mix all components thoroughly. 15 g of mixture pour 0.5 hot water, leave in a warm place for 30 minutes, filter. Drink 50 ml morning and evening and 2 hours before bedtime ½. For early stage hypertension: thyme – 3 parts, 2 parts each of oregano, fireweed, chamomile – 1 part. Brew 15 g (2 tablespoons) of the collection with 0.5 liters of boiling water, leave for 40 minutes, drink ¼ cup 3 times a day in the form of tea.

Thyme baths: help with muscle and joint rheumatism, useful for nervous system. To prepare a bath, pour 200 grams of thyme into two liters of boiling water and leave for a couple of hours. The bath is taken for 15 minutes every two days. Neuralgia: 1 tbsp. Brew a spoon with 200 ml of boiling water, leave. Drink ⅓ glass 3 times a day. Gastritis with low acidity: Pour 10 g of herb into 1 glass of boiling water, leave for 30 minutes, filter. Use 1 tbsp. spoon 2-3 times a day. For bronchitis, dry cough: pour 10 g of dry crushed raw thyme into 200 ml of boiling water, leave for 30 minutes. Take 1-2 tbsp. spoon 3-4 times a day.

Sciatica, arthritis, paralysis: 10 g of raw material per 200 ml of hot water, leave for 15 minutes. Drink 18 ml 3 times a day. For hair loss: traditional medicine recommends effective recipe- take equal quantities of thyme, nettle, birch, and hop cones. 20 g of collection per 1 liter of water, boil over low heat for 15 minutes, leave for 20 minutes. Use for rinsing or rubbing into the scalp. Periodontal disease: 2 tbsp. spoons of herbs, brew 200 ml of boiling water, leave for 1 hour. Use as a rinse. Urticaria: take 20 g of Bogorodskaya herb, common hop, lemon balm, rhizomes with valerian roots. 8 g of mixture per 1 glass of hot water, leave for 30 minutes. Drink during the day in several doses.

Contraindications to the use of thyme

Treatment with thyme has a number of quite strict contraindications. Drugs produced on its basis should not be used by persons suffering from cardiosclerosis, atrial fibrillation, atherosclerosis of cerebral vessels. Due to the high content of thymol in the herb, it cannot be used for kidney and liver diseases. Infusion and decoction of thyme is contraindicated in case of reduced thyroid function, as well as in diseases of the stomach with high acidity. Healthy people must remember that long-term use thyme-based products can lead to the development of hypothyroidism. Pregnant women should use this herb with great caution.

Update: October 2018

Thyme or creeping thyme (the second name, known to everyone, which can be called official) is a perennial from the Yamnotaceae family, which is widely used in folk and official medicine. Distributed in Russia, Crimea, Ukraine, Belarus, found in the southern part and temperate zone of Europe, the Caucasus, the Mediterranean and in some areas Central Asia. Most often the plant can be found on forest edges, clearings, steppes and rocky slopes.

It is considered one of the best honey crops. Previously, it was actively used during worship services. It is used in cooking as a spice in sauces, fish, poultry, and meat. Actively used in perfumery.

The beauty and special aroma of the plant have attracted people at all times. Today, the beneficial properties and contraindications of thyme have been studied very well, which makes it possible to use the plant with health benefits in the treatment of many diseases. Everyone knows that thyme herb helps quickly against coughs, both for adults and children. So, budget and effective drug"Pertussin", familiar to many since the times of the Soviet Union, contains a liquid extract of this plant.

Morphological description

A low-growing herbaceous shrub has creeping or straight stems that can reach a length of up to 30 cm. The leaves are rounded and can be elongated. The inflorescences are spherical in shape, pinkish-lilac in color and have an amazing spicy aroma. The flowering period depends on the region in which the plant grows, and will fall in June-August. The fruit is small, ripens in July-September and is an ellipsoidal nut about 0.6 mm long.

Collection and preparation

The herb of thyme has medicinal value - the aerial part, which is cut off entirely during the flowering period (preferably in the morning) and dried in a dark room, ensuring air circulation, spread in a thin layer on paper. The raw materials are turned periodically.

Store in cardboard boxes, in a dry room. Shelf life – 2 years.

Chemical composition

The rich chemical composition determines the beneficial properties of the plant. The above-ground part contains:

• Essential oil containing a large number of thymol and carvacrol, as well as pinene and terpinene;
• Flavonoids;
• Organic acids - oleanolic, ursolic, thymunic, triterpenic, quinic, caffeic;
• Tannins;
• Fats;
• Vitamins C, group B;
• Mineral salts;
• Saponins;
• Resins;
• Gum;
• Bitterness.

Essential oil is a colorless or yellowish liquid with a strong aroma. Oil output from fresh plant is 0.1-0.5%, and from dry raw materials 0.8-1.2%. The essential oil from the plant also has all the beneficial properties of thyme.

Treated properties and scope of application

The medicinal properties of thyme are multifaceted. Even the great Theophrastus and Avicenna considered the plant a Divine herb, which helps not only in the treatment of diseases, but also helps to prolong life.

What properties does this fragrant plant have?

• Powerful antiseptic effect allows its use in therapy inflammatory processes various localizations in the form of preparations for internal use, inhalation, rinsing for: sore throat, stomatitis, gingivitis, tonsillitis, laryngitis, pharyngitis, ARVI, halitosis, inflammation of the uterine appendages. The decoction is used to wash wounds, including purulent wounds, ulcers, and as a lotion for acne and boils;
• Expectorant and bronchodilator actions are effective in the treatment of prolonged bronchitis and cough, as well as whooping cough;
• It has a diaphoretic effect, therefore it is useful in cases of increased temperature that accompany inflammatory diseases;
• Analgesic properties help relieve pain syndrome for radiculitis, sciatica, neuritis, bruises, injuries, gastrointestinal colic, gastritis, flatulence and constipation. Thyme for women is recommended for painful periods;
• The antispasmodic effect allows you to use thyme for blood pressure, migraines and severe, intractable headaches;
• Normalization of intestinal biocenosis and useful action in the gastrointestinal tract they help with dysbiosis, fermentation, to improve appetite, diseases of the intestines and stomach;
• It is also effective for joint diseases. Externally used in the form of lotions, compresses, and baths for articular rheumatism, arthrosis and gout;
• The hypnotic and calming properties of the plant have a beneficial effect on the nervous system in cases of depression, neuroses, and insomnia;
• Thyme for men is used to treat prostatitis and impotence;
• Relieves swelling and inflammatory reaction from bee stings;
• Traditional healers use the thyme plant for alcoholism: it helps relieve alcohol intoxication, has a hepatoprotective effect, removes ethanol breakdown products. At the same time, it forms a persistent aversion to alcohol, up to its complete intolerance;
• Thyme tea improves performance, increases overall tone, and copes with chronic fatigue and improves immunity.

Folk recipes with thyme

Thyme is used in various dosage forms, each of which has its own indications. All of them are easy to prepare and, when used correctly and regularly, help in the treatment of many diseases.

• Tea with thyme. The most popular dosage form. How to brew thyme: 1 tsp. dry or fresh flowers, brew 200 ml of boiling water for 10 minutes, strain through a strainer and drink like regular tea. You can add honey to slightly cooled tea. Helps in the treatment of bronchopulmonary and ENT diseases, hypertension early stages, as well as to strengthen the immune system. This tea is a natural aphrodisiac and helps increase libido. In summer it perfectly quenches thirst, and in winter it warms you up after street walks.
• Infusion for neurological problems (insomnia, neuroses). Brew 15 grams of dry crushed raw materials with 200 ml of boiling water, steam for half an hour and then strain. Take 2 tbsp. spoons 2 times (morning and lunch) and drink ¼ cup 2 hours before bedtime.
• Infusion for gastritis with low acidity, as well as bronchitis and dry cough. Take 10 grams of dry herb and pour 1 glass of boiling water, leave to evaporate for half an hour, filter. Take 1 tbsp. spoon twice or thrice a day (gastritis), 1-2 tbsp. up to 4 times a day for respiratory diseases.
• Cough syrup . A drug similar to the one in the pharmacy can also be obtained at home. Take a small bunch of a still flowering plant, rinse thoroughly, chop and let dry. Pour about 450 ml of water over the crushed thyme raw materials and place on low heat until the water boils by half. Cool the broth, then strain, add juice squeezed from 50 grams of garlic (if the syrup is made for children, then garlic is not added) and 300 grams of good honey. Mix the mixture and store it in the refrigerator in a closed jar. Take 1 tsp. 2 times a day for colds, difficult to separate sputum, ENT pathology. The syrup is stored for a very long time, up to six months.
• Syrup for diseases of the stomach and intestines. Wash fresh, blooming thyme, dry it, chop it finely and put it in a glass jar in layers, sprinkling it with sugar, then press it down with a weight and leave it in the dark for 2 weeks. Pour the resulting syrup into another jar and cover with a lid. Take 1 tsp. 3 times/day. with tea.
• Infusion for radiculitis, arthritis, paralysis. Take 10 grams of dry raw materials and brew 200 ml of hot water, steam for 15 minutes. Take 20 ml three times a day.
• Infusion for rinsing for diseases of the mouth and throat. Take 2 tbsp. dry herbs and brew the raw material with 200 ml of boiling water, steam for 1 hour. Rinse with infusion 3-4 times a day.
• Baths for muscle and joint rheumatism, neuralgia. Also useful for insomnia. Take 200 grams of thyme and pour 2 liters of boiling water, leave for a couple of hours. Take a bath for 15 minutes once every 2 days.
• Baths for babies. Thyme is used for bathing restless children who sleep poorly. For a baby bath, 10-20 ml of infusion made according to the recipe above is enough.
• Alcohol tincture, suitable for rubbing for pain, bruises, and colds. Take 30 grams of chopped thyme, put it in a glass jar and add 150 ml of alcohol. Place the container in a dark place and leave for 14 days. Then strain and use as directed.
• Universal wine tincture. Take 100 grams of dried raw materials and pour 1 liter of dry white wine. Leave for 1 week, shaking the bottle once a day. Bring to a boil, remove from heat, cover and leave for 4-6 hours, strain. Drink 30 ml 2-3 times a day before meals. The tincture very well strengthens health, immunity, increases life expectancy, treats colds, eliminates gastrointestinal spasms, relieves headaches, helps in the fight against stress and insomnia.
• Potency improvement product. 2 tbsp. crushed dry grass, pour 100 ml of boiling water, leave for 2 hours. Strain the resulting product and take 50 ml 2 times a day before meals.
• "Sleep bag." For chronic insomnia and prolonged stress, a linen bag is filled with dry thyme grass and placed next to the head.
• Inhalations. Helps well with bronchitis pulmonary diseases with difficult to separate sputum. Take a handful of dry herbs per liter of water, boil and breathe over the steam for 10 minutes, covered with a towel.
• Nourishing oil for dry skin care. 1 tbsp. pour dry thyme into a glass jar, add 100 ml olive oil cold pressed, leave for 1 day and steam the composition in a water bath for about 3 hours. Strain the resulting preparation through cheesecloth and store in the refrigerator. You should apply it to your face every day in the morning, for 10-15 minutes, and rinse with warm water.

Collections of medicinal herbs

• Calming mixture recommended for severe, severe depression. In equal quantities, take the dry raw materials of the following plants: thyme, hops, Chernobyl, oregano, marigold, knotweed, drop cap, mix thoroughly. Then take 15 grams of this mixture and brew 500 ml of boiling water, leave in a warm place for half an hour and strain. Take 50 ml in the morning and half a glass 2 hours before bedtime.
• Collection for treatment initial stages hypertension. Take 3 parts of thyme, 2 parts each of fireweed and oregano and another 1 part of chamomile. Add half a liter of boiling water to 15 grams of this mixture and leave for 40 minutes, take a quarter of a glass three times a day.
• Collection for urticaria. Take 20 grams of common hops, rhizomes with roots of valerian, thyme, lemon balm. Add 8 grams of herbal mixture to 1 glass of hot water and leave for 30 minutes. Drink the resulting volume throughout the day.
• Recipe for hair loss. Mix equal amounts of thyme, nettle, birch leaf, hop cones. Take 20 grams of the mixture and add to 1 liter of water and keep on low heat for a quarter of an hour, leave for another half hour. Use to rinse your hair or rub into your hair roots.

Pharmaceuticals

The pharmaceutical industry produces various drugs with thyme, the most popular of which are presented below.

Contraindications

Any dosage forms thyme is contraindicated for:

• individual intolerance;
• cardiosclerosis;
• atrial fibrillation;
• kidney and liver diseases;
• hypofunction of the thyroid gland;
• emphysema;
• atherosclerotic damage to cerebral vessels;
• stomach diseases with high acidity, as well as gastritis, ulcers in the acute stage.

At bronchial asthma thyme is also contraindicated - the plant can cause an exacerbation of the disease. Not prescribed for diabetes mellitus.

Use with caution and only after consultation with a doctor during pregnancy (causes uterine tone). At breastfeeding thyme is also prescribed with caution: although the plant enhances lactation, if natural milk production is good, such stimulation will be unnecessary. As for small patients, thyme for children can be used starting from 2 years.

Side effects

Allergic phenomena (rash, itching), as well as nausea and vomiting are possible. With long-term, especially uncontrolled use of thyme without following the dosage, hypothyroidism may develop.

Thymus serpyllum L.
Taxon: family Lamiaceae or Lamiaceae (Labiatae)
Folk names: thyme, thyme, Bogorodskaya grass, boron pepper, matter, incense, flypalm.
English: Wild Thyme

Description:
Creeping thyme (thyme) is a small fragrant subshrub up to 35 cm in height. The stem is brown, thin, creeping, woody at the base, covered with dark brown bark and often takes root, forming adventitious roots. The leaves are small, crosswise opposite, sessile or with a very short petiole, oblong, elliptical, with pinpoint glands, with long white cilia along the edge. The flowers are small, pink or pinkish-violet, two-lipped, in axillary half-whorls, collected in loose capitate inflorescences. The fruit is dry, breaking up into 4 spherical nuts. It blooms in June - July, the fruits ripen in August - September. Creeping thyme propagates by seeds and vegetatively. The weight of 1000 seeds is 0.3-0.5 g. Reaches an age of 30 years.

Spreading:
Creeping thyme (thyme) is common in Siberia, in the European part of Russia, in Far East, in the Caucasus. Thyme grows on dry and fresh sandy and sandy loam soils in coniferous and deciduous forests, in forest clearings, clearings, and meadows.

Collection and preparation of thyme:
IN medicinal purposes They use the herb creeping thyme (Herba Serpylli), which is harvested during the flowering phase, cutting off the upper parts of leafy shoots with knives or pruners, without the coarse woody bases of the stem, trying not to tear out the plants with their roots. Part of the turf should be left untouched for vegetative propagation plants. Dry the raw materials outdoors in the shade, in well-ventilated areas, in attics or under canopies, spreading them out in a thin layer. After drying (after 3-5 days), the raw materials are threshed and the coarse parts are separated. It is dried in dryers at a temperature of 35-40 °C. The shelf life of raw materials is 3 years. The smell of the raw material is aromatic, the taste is bitter-spicy, slightly pungent.

Chemical composition of creeping thyme (thyme):
The herb of the plant contains up to 0.6% essential oil, the main component of which is thymol (up to 42%). In addition, the essential oil contains carvacrol, n-cymene, a-terpineol, borneol. The herb also contains tannins, bitterness, gum, triterpene compounds - ursolic and oleanolic acids, flavonoids, and a large amount of mineral salts.
The above-ground part contains: ash - 10.64%; macroelements (mg/g): K - 26.10, Ca - 12.20, Mn - 3.90, Fe - 0.95; microelements (CBN): Mg - 0.31, Cu - 0.48, Co - 0.12, Mo - 64.00, Cr - 0.10, Al - 0.66, Ba - 0.58, V - 0 .35, Se - 7.10, Ni - 0.20, Sr - 0.36, Pb - 0.13. B - 108.40 µg/g. Cd, Li, Ag, Au, I, Br were not detected. Concentrates Fe, Mo, Se, B.

Pharmacological properties:
The medicinal properties of the plant are associated mainly with the presence of thymol, which is a phenol derivative. Unlike phenol, thymol is less toxic, less irritating to the mucous membranes, and has a bactericidal effect on the coccal flora. Galenic forms from the thyme herb have pronounced expectorant properties and stimulate physical activity. ciliated epithelium upper respiratory tract and increase the amount of secretory discharge from the mucous membranes. Plant preparations also help to loosen inflammatory plaques, dilute sputum and accelerate its evacuation. Even with an insignificant content of thymol in the infusion, it has a pronounced antimicrobial effect. In addition, thyme herb has a diuretic, antispasmodic, analgesic, hypnotic, antihelminthic effect, normalizes digestion.

Application in medicine:
Aboveground part. Infusion - for pulmonary diseases as an expectorant, disinfectant; for diseases gastrointestinal tract, accompanied by a decrease gastric secretion, atony or intestinal spasms, ; for insomnia, atherosclerosis. In the form of inhalations - for inflammatory diseases of the oral cavity, chronic tonsillitis; in the form of rinses - for alveolar pyorrhea, aphthae of the oral mucosa. Liquid extract with glycerin - for treating periodontal canals. Thymol is used to disinfect the oral cavity, pharynx and nasopharynx, is part of Hartmann's liquid, used as an anesthetic in dentistry, and serves as a preservative for some pharmaceuticals. Decoction - for the treatment of alcoholism. The herb is part of the drug "Pertussin". Infusion, decoction - in the form of baths, lotions, wet dressings - for various skin diseases, hypertension, rheumatism, radiculitis, nervous diseases and diseases associated with metabolic disorders. Oil extract- for eye diseases. Essential oil is included in various liniments used for rubbing for arthralgia, lumbodynia, and radiculoneuritis. In folk medicine, the infusion is used for whooping cough, bronchitis, heart disease, anemia, bloating, cholecystitis, cystitis, goiter, nervous disorders, insomnia, hemorrhoids, uterine bleeding, alcoholism; externally in the form of rinses - for oral stomatitis, sore throats; wash the scalp; compresses - for pain in muscles, joints, bones; baths - for eczema, radiculitis, rheumatism, gout. Dried herb powder is sprinkled on wounds and ulcers.

Medications:
Infusion of creeping thyme herb.
2 tbsp. Brew tablespoons of chopped herbs with 250 ml (1 glass) of boiled hot water. Then heat in a boiling water bath for 1/4 hour (15 minutes), cool at room temperature for 3/4 hour, then filter, squeeze out the used herb. Add boiled water to the original volume of infusion. Drink a third of a glass three times a day.

Infusion for cough.
1 tbsp. Brew a spoonful of Bogorodskaya herb with 250 ml of boiling water. Infuse the mixture for 50-60 minutes, filter, squeeze out the used herb. Drink 1 tablespoon three times a day.

Infusion for external use.
Brew 100 g of Bogorodskaya herb with 2 liters of boiling water. Leave the mixture for about 50 minutes, filter, and squeeze out the used thyme herb. The infusion is suitable for baths for rheumatism and radiculitis.

Pharmaceuticals:
Infusion of thyme herb(Infusum herbae Thymi): 10 g (2 tablespoons) of raw materials are placed in an enamel bowl, pour 200 ml of hot boiled water, cover with a lid and heat in boiling water (in a water bath) for 15 minutes, cool at room temperature for 45 minutes, filter, the remaining raw materials are squeezed out. The volume of the resulting infusion is adjusted boiled water up to 200 ml. The prepared infusion is stored in a cool place for no more than 2 days. Take 1 tablespoon 2-3 times a day for cough.
Thyme herb decoction(Decoctum herbae Thymi) is prepared as follows: take the herb of the plant in a ratio of 1:10, boil 200 ml of boiling water, heat in a water bath for 30 minutes, cool at room temperature and take 1-2 tablespoons 3-5 times per day.
Liquid thyme extract (Extractum Thymi fluidum) take 1 teaspoon 3-4 times a day. Available in 100 ml bottles.
Pertussin(Pertussinum). Ingredients: thyme extract or thyme extract - 12 parts, potassium bromide - 1 part, sugar syrup - 82 parts, alcohol 80% - 5 parts. Dark brown liquid with an aromatic odor and sweetish taste. Used as an expectorant and cough softener for bronchitis, whooping cough and other diseases of the upper respiratory tract. Dose for adults - 1 tablespoon, for children - from 1/2 teaspoon to 1 dessert spoon 3 times a day. Available in 100 ml bottles.
Melrosum(Melrosum) - a drug produced in Germany. 100 ml of syrup contains 100 mg of codeine; 45 mg of copper: grindella and pampinella - 0.2 ml each; primrose, rose and thyme - 1 ml each. The drug has antitussive, expectorant, antispasmodic and bactericidal effects. Indications for use are: cough with catarrhal diseases upper respiratory tract (pharyngitis, laryngitis), tracheitis, bronchitis, influenza, measles. Adults are prescribed 1 tablespoon; children: from 6 to 12 years old - 2 teaspoons, from 1 year to 3 years - 1/2 teaspoon of syrup 3 times a day.

Contraindications for the use of creeping thyme (thyme):
Thyme (thyme) preparations are not recommended for use during pregnancy, cardiac decompensation, kidney disease, liver disease, peptic ulcer stomach and duodenum in the acute stage. It is forbidden to use Bogorodsk grass when reduced function thyroid gland. Contraindications for use are chronic

Thyme or thyme enjoys well-deserved popularity among both cooks and herbalists. The medicinal properties of this plant were well known back in the times of Avicenna, Theophrastus and other founders of medicine. Nowadays, most residents of megacities prefer to purchase ready-made medicines in pharmacies, without wasting time and effort on preparing herbal decoctions and tinctures, but numerous studies and the experience of many people who have recovered prove that the use medicinal herbs, such as thyme, are not only much safer, but often more effective than drug treatment. The main thing is to know what diseases it can help with. medicinal plant and how to properly prepare a medicinal composition from it.

Thyme - composition and beneficial properties

Thyme or creeping thyme is a perennial plant, which is a low-growing shrub from the Lamiaceae family. Low thyme shoots with small leaves are readily planted by gardeners and landscape designers in our country. Beautiful purple inflorescences delight the eye from June to August, and the pleasant aroma and unpretentiousness of the plant add to its popularity. In addition to its beauty, honey content and “delicious” smell, almost all types of thyme, and there are more than a hundred of them, are distinguished by medicinal properties and can be used to prepare decoctions and tinctures for coughs, rheumatism and other diseases. The maximum amount of useful substances accumulates in the leaves and shoots of the plant during the flowering period, when it is recommended to harvest thyme for treatment.

Thyme contains many biologically active substances, essential oils, tannins and organic acids. Decoctions and infusions of thyme have anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, restorative and sedative properties; they are used for various inflammatory diseases of the respiratory system, joints, diseases of the digestive system, nervous system, skin diseases and other pathological conditions.

In addition to thymol, carvacrol, tannins and organic acids have antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. High content of the latter in essential oil thyme explains its effectiveness in treating skin diseases and inflammatory changes in various organs.

Flavonoids are powerful natural antioxidants; they not only protect the body from external harmful influences, but also activate the processes of apoptosis - the destruction of old or altered cells, thereby slowing down the aging process and preventing the development of cancer.

The use of thyme in folk medicine

Thyme or creeping thyme has been used in folk medicine for several millennia. In Rus' this plant was especially popular, it was called Bogorodskaya grass and were used to decorate icons in churches and homes. According to legend, thyme flowers in the house not only protect people from diseases, but also help cleanse the mind and soul, and also have the ability to drive away evil spirits.

How true this is, unfortunately, is unknown, but the fact that thyme can cure many diseases has been confirmed by numerous scientific studies.

So, thyme is used in treatment:

• inflammatory diseases of the respiratory system – common colds, tonsillitis, pharyngitis, bronchitis and laryngitis can be quickly cured by gargling and taking thyme orally. Thyme infusions perfectly relieve irritation, have anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effect, and when the infection spreads into the bronchi, they help get rid of cough and facilitate the removal of sputum;
• diseases of the digestive system - the bitterness and tannins contained in thyme are very useful for various digestive disorders. They stimulate appetite, improve the functioning of the digestive glands, relieve inflammation and promote faster regeneration of the mucous membrane of the stomach and intestines. It is recommended to take thyme for loss of appetite, cholecystitis and flatulence;
• dental diseases - gingivitis, stomatitis, pulpitis and other inflammatory changes in oral cavity will disappear much faster if you rinse your mouth with a strong infusion or decoction of thyme;
• hypertension and headaches - infusions and decoctions of thyme have a vasodilating and sedative effect and can be used for arterial hypertension and headaches caused by it;
• neurological diseases, insomnia, headaches and so on - taking a decoction of thyme has a beneficial effect on the state of the nervous system, herbal preparations improve cerebral circulation, relieve increased irritability, headaches, nervousness, help with stress, insomnia, migraines and other diseases of the nervous system;
• skin diseases - decoctions and infusions of thyme disinfect the surface of the skin, relieve inflammation and accelerate tissue regeneration; baths and lotions with thyme are effective in the treatment of dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis, furunculosis and other dermatological diseases;
• joint diseases– compresses and baths with thyme help reduce pain and inflammation in rheumatism, arthritis and gout;
• diseases of the male reproductive system - thyme decoctions are recommended for men with sexual weakness, early ejaculation and general decline sexual activity;

Thyme or thyme has a general strengthening, stimulating and calming effect. Regular intake of thyme decoctions and infusions helps strengthen the immune system, improve general state body and increase tolerance to physical and psycho-emotional stress.

Contraindications

Thyme, like any other medicine, has not only indications, but also contraindications. You cannot take decoctions and infusions of thyme:

• during pregnancy and breastfeeding;
• for the treatment of children under 2 years of age;
• with impaired liver and kidney function;
• with exacerbation of gastritis with high acidity and exacerbation of gastric and duodenal ulcers;
• with hypothyroidism;
• for chronic constipation;
• with hypotension;
• for bronchial asthma and emphysema;
• with atherosclerosis of cerebral vessels;
• for arrhythmia and cardiosclerosis;
• with individual intolerance to decoctions and infusions of thyme.

Recipes with thyme

1. Thyme infusion– used to treat diseases of the respiratory and digestive organs, as well as for preparing baths and compresses for skin and joint diseases. To prepare the infusion, pour 1 tablespoon of dry herb into 1 tablespoon of boiling water and leave for 15-30 minutes, then filter the infusion and cool.

For diseases of the respiratory tract, take the infusion 12 tbsp - 3 times a day, pre-heated. It is recommended to drink the infusion for 5-7 days or until the symptoms of the disease completely disappear.

For the treatment of joint diseases and diseases of the digestive system, a more concentrated infusion is recommended - 1 tbsp of boiling water for 2 tbsp of raw materials, infuse the infusion for about an hour, take it 14-13 tbsp 2-3 times a day for 10-14 days in a row.

2. Alcohol tincture of thyme– used for all the conditions described above and for rubbing joints with rheumatism and arthritis. The advantages of alcohol tincture are its effectiveness and preservation medicinal properties During a long time. This tincture can be purchased at a pharmacy or prepared yourself.

For oral administration, prepare a less concentrated tincture - 30 grams of dry, finely crushed herb, pour 2 tbsp of 40% alcohol and leave in a cold and dark place for 10-14 days, after which the tincture is filtered and stored in the refrigerator. Take tincture 15 drops per 1 tablespoon of water 3 times a day after meals, the course of treatment can be from 7 to 21 days.

For lotions and rubbing, prepare more concentrated solution– 3 tablespoons of fresh or dried finely ground thyme, pour 1 tablespoon of 70% alcohol, leave for 3-4 weeks, then filter, carefully squeezing out the herb. The resulting tincture is used for rubbing joints for rheumatism and arthritis - 2-3 times a day or at night for 2-3 weeks in a row.

To strengthen the immune system and general health improvement body take thyme tincture with wine. 100 grams of dried crushed thyme is poured into 1 liter of dry white wine and left for 7-10 days, shaking occasionally. After this, the tincture is brought to a boil over low heat and left in a warm place for 4-6 hours. After this, the tincture is filtered and 30-50 ml of tincture is taken 2-3 times a day before meals. This tincture has a milder effect and the course of treatment can be longer - up to 1 month.