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Thyme

Useful properties and applications of herbs and oil of thyme


Botanical characteristics of creeping thyme

Thyme creeping – perennial shrub of the family Labiatae (Lamiaceae). In it reaches a height of 20-40 cm and ends the recumbent shoots. The flower stems – erect or erect, covered with hairs. The leaves are oblong-elliptical in shape with short petioles dotted with glands essential oil. Inflorescences capitate, compact. Uzkokolokolchaty calyx, hairy. Corolla pinkish-purple, bilabiate. The lower lip of the flower longer than the tube, the lower broadly ovate, emarginate.

Thyme blooms from may to end of August, the fruits ripen from July to September. The fruit is a small ellipsoidal nutlets up to 6 mm. the plant is Propagated by seeds and vegetatively. It can be found on the slopes and on roadsides, forest edges and Sunny forest glades, among the scatterings of stones and rocks. Habitat plants – average strip of the European part of Russia, parts of the Urals, Siberia, Kazakhstan.

Useful properties of thyme

For therapeutic purposes, the use of the aerial part of the plant, time of collection and harvesting grass – June-July. In leaves and stems of thyme contains many active substances – essential oils, resins, tannins, flavonoids, bitterness and mineral salts. They also contain a variety of acids: ursolic, coffee, Cinchona, timonova, oleanolova, chlorogenic. Thanks to this chemical composition the plant has a wide spectrum of action. It is prescribed as an antipyretic, diuretic, antispasmodic and sedative.

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

The use of thyme

In folk medicine, the creeping thyme has received wide recognition and use. It is prescribed for neuralgia, and neuroses of various etiologies. With its help successfully treat diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, atony, and intestinal spasms, flatulence. With regular supplementation of thyme in patients with normal digestion, pain disappear in the stomach, decreases formation of gases, and also normal intestinal microflora due to the disinfecting properties of herbs.

Infusions and decoctions of plants effective in bronchitis, laryngitis,tonsillitis, tracheitis, bronchopneumonia due to its enveloping, expectorant and antiseptic properties. They are able to increase the secretion of bronchial glands and phlegm. Infusions and decoctions are prescribed a rinse with inflammatory diseases of the mouth, caused by pyogenic bacteria. In the form of ointments, lotions and poultices thyme is used for pain in the joints, rheumatism and various skin diseases.

The plant is successfully used for inflammation of the vagina and leucorrhoea, especially in older women. Thyme is effective in inflammatory processes, compounded by pathogens that are insensitive to antibiotics. Preparations of thyme have antimicrobial activity even with a negligible content of phenolic compounds. The plant also helps with insomnia. It is believed that if you sleep on a bed of this grass, it reduces arousal and relieves headaches.


Recipe with thyme

Popular teas from thyme. Coughing eaten with honey in diseases of the stomach and intestines – without sugar.

Recipe № 1. One or two teaspoons of dry powdered herb pour 250 ml of boiling water, allow 10 minutes to steep and strain. Drink 3 cups of tea a day.

Thyme is used as seasoning improves digestion.

Recipe № 2. It is necessary to mix 5 grams of thyme, 2 g rosemary, 1 g of wormwood and 12 g of salt. The herbs used in powder form. It is recommended to use a mixture for salads, main dishes.

Thyme is used in such well-known drug from cough "Pertussin".

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


A decoction of thyme

A decoction of thyme helps with abrasions, diabetes, allergies.

Recipe No. 1. Two tablespoons chopped dry grasspour a glass of boiled water, boil for 1-2 minutes and insist hour in a warm place. Broth filter and take 100 ml 3 times a day after meals.

A decoction of sage and thyme – a great tool for the treatment of alcoholism.

Recipe № 2. Mix 4 parts thyme 1 part wormwood. Tablespoon of the collection pour 250 ml of water, boil on a water bath for 5 minutes insist and filter. Daily take 1 tablespoon 3 times a day. The course of treatment – 2-3 months. Often already after two weeks of taking a decoction of the patients there indifference to alcohol.

For colds and bronchitis also prepare a decoction.

Recipe No. 3. Tablespoon of herbs is poured 0.5 liters of boiling water, boil for 5-7 minutes on a steam bath and leave for 10-15 minutes. After straining the decoction is taken in the form of heat 4-5 times a day for 1/3 Cup. It can be drunk half an hour before meals or 1.5–2 hours after it.

Infusion of thyme

In anemia, diabetes or inflammation of the infusion of thyme is cooked together with the shoots of blueberries.

Recipe No. 1. Shoots of blueberries and the herb thyme mixed in equal proportions, then 1 tablespoon of the mixture pour 250 ml of boiling water and insist for half an hour. Ready infusion after straining divide into 2 servings and drink them throughout the day after meals.

Hair loss, dandruff or headache infusion of thyme rinse the head and allow the hair to naturally dry.

Recipe № 2. 1/3 cups of dry herb pour a liter of boiling water and insist within hours. Infusion is used in the form of heat after straining.

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

Recipe No. 3. Teaspoon of herbs pour a glass of boiling water and infused for 10 minutes. After straining patient drinks 1 glass of drink 3 times a day, podlasia drink honey.

Tincture of thyme

The infusion of the plant is used externally for rheumatism and joint pains.

Recipe 1. In 100 ml of vodka poured 3 tablespoons of dry herb and infused for three weeks in a dark place. After this infusion is filtered through several layers of cheesecloth and used for grinding.

Tincture of lemon balm and creeping thyme are used as antipyretic and diaphoretic.

Recipe 2. 1 tablespoon the lemon balm and thyme pour 200 ml of vodka and infuse for 8-9 days in a dark place. A bottle or jar of tincture is shaken periodically. After straining remedy is taken orally 3 times a day for 25-30 drops of tincture to a glass of water or used externally for rubbing.

Thyme oil

In cosmetics thyme oil is used in the manufacture of shampoos, conditioners and other cosmetics from hair loss. It strengthens weak and damaged hair after chemical treatments and colouring, restores flaking nails. In the form of hot compresses, it helps with rheumatic pains. Fresh grass can be applied to insect bites.

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

But if you use oil it must be diluted, because you can get burns. Even the bath oil, dissolve.

Ointment of oil of thyme: 3 g of oil and 5 g of any neutral cream must be well mixed. The tool recommended to use with dermatitis, eczema, purulent skin lesions, lice.

Growing thyme

Thyme seeds are sensitive to light, therefore sow them, not really prisypaya ground. Seedlings emerge in 10-20-th days after the air temperature reaches +20 °C and above. In the first year the plant produces only green twigs, very small and need regular weeding. In the second year it will flower, but to collect the grass even earlier. At the same time, you need to sprinkle some shoots of the land for its establishment, which will improve the nutrition and growth of the Bush.

Another method of growing thyme – cuttings, it is used more often. To do this, after flowering shoots are cut with a sharp pair of scissors. The lower part of the escape is completely cleaned from the leaves, and the stalk is planted into pre-watered the hole. Watering produce in a day until, until you see new leaves. The growth of shoots their pin and sprinkle on top of the ground. When you grow the roots, the plant, if necessary, can be transplanted to another location.

Due to the fact that thyme is the root system is shallow, the soil was treated superficially. However, the landing site should be cleared of weeds. It should alsonote that the plant prefers slightly alkaline and neutral soils, it likes a Sunny position. If you move into the shade, it will not only grow poorly, but its aroma is not as strong as in plants growing in well-lit areas.


The essential oil of thyme

In flowering plant contains up to 2% of essential oils in the form of a thick, dark, viscous liquid with a pungent odor and taste. After the double distillation of the resulting oil disappear all harmful substances and only useful elements, such as qiming, camphene, linalool, thymol, carvacrol and others. For example, carvacrol used as antimicrobial agents in traditional medicine in the manufacture of synthetic drugs. Thymol possesses anthelmintic and antiseptic properties.

Thyme oil is used in the manufacture of toothpaste, so it appears more health benefits. Oil is prescribed for inflammation of the oral mucosa and gums. It helps the body develop white blood cells, due to which the body is able to more effectively fight against the infection. This is especially necessary for people recovering from illness.

The oil stimulates the brain, relieves fatigue, drowsiness, restores appetite, improves memory. If you need to cheer up – will help the thyme, if you need to relax too. Earlier, surgeons were added thyme while washing hands prior to surgery because it is the best antiseptic of all that was usually used. Providing an antiseptic effect on the intestines, the oil helps in intestinal infections.


Seeds of thyme

Seeds quickly lose their flavor, so it is advisable to add them to your food just before eating. Seeds of thyme – small oval nuts grayish-red or brown. Weight of 1000 seeds is about 0.2–0.5 g. One of the ways of reproduction of thyme – planting the seed. Since the seeds are very small and light, it is necessary to sow them no deeper than 1 cm They can be sown in winter under the snow and in spring in the open soil. For better growth seeds abundantly watered.

The first shoots appear after 2-3 weeks and at first grow very slowly. The soil should be dig up, fertilizing, clean from weeds. Harvested from the second year to the greatest period of flowering, in dry weather. Reproduction by seeds is an easy and inexpensive way to decorate the garden beautiful and useful types of honey redolent of thyme.


Fresh thyme

With the addition of leaves of fresh thyme cook medicalointment used for healing wounds and insect bites. If fresh thyme sprigs to hang in the closet, it will scare away moles. Fresh leaves can be mixed with a Supplement and use in the treatment of nervous system diseases, rheumatism, diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.

Fresh thyme prepare the extract for homeopathic medicines, it is used in pickling cucumbers, tomatoes, and squash. Fresh sprigs can add a spicy flavor to the sauce, a soup or a second dish, served with peas and beans. This indispensable spice when cooking wild game and fish dishes.


Thyme extract

Extract is extract active substances from the plants. The main components of the extract of thyme are thymol and essential oil. They help relieve the cough and expectoration, relieve spasms and disinfect the respiratory tract. The extract included in the composition of the drug "Pertussin", has a pleasant taste and contributing to the early recovery of patients with bronchitis, whooping cough. Use the extracts from plants in dentistry as analgesic and disinfectant means.

Not only in our country but in many countries the extract of thyme is used for medicinal purposes.


Common thyme

It is a small shrub from 10 to 50 cm, stem from him quadrangular, much branched. Small leaves are egg-shaped (with a length of 4-10 cm) both sides covered with glands, slightly pubescent below, glabrous above. Flowers small, delicate pinkish color, sometimes white. The fruit is four nutlets red or brown. The plant has a strong fragrant aroma. It blooms in June-July, fruits in August-September. Wild in Russia, the thyme is not growing.

It is grown for essential oils in Ukraine, Moldova, Northern Caucasus. The birthplace of thyme from the Mediterranean. The herb thyme is used in medicine. Gather the thyme in the period of its flowering – in July, sometimes a second time in September-October. Dried grass in the air, without direct sunlight. Store raw materials in cloth bags in a well ventilated area for about a year, not more. In the essential oil of common thyme contains such substances as thymol and carvacrol, and linalool, borneol.

The members of the plant contains organic acids, such as triterpene, ursolic, coffee, chlorogenic, and tannic substances and flavonoids. Thyme successfully used in the treatment of upper respiratory tract. It promotes expectoration and reducing spasms, and enveloping at the same mucosa. When inflammation of the mouth rinse is prescribed, for skin diseases – baths and lotions. Common thyme has a subtle lemon flavor as a seasoningit is used in cooking and canning.


Lemon thyme

Lemon thyme is a subspecies of thymus vulgaris. It only blooming leaves – yellow in colour, later they become light green in colour. The plant has a pronounced lemon flavor, it is used as a spice in many countries of the world. Fresh or dried thyme added to dishes of beans and peas, French cuisine is one of the main aromatic herbs. Small leaves are well suited to desserts and seafood. To fruit ripening aboveground part of the plant used to make drinks, vinegar, cocktails, tea.

Lemon thyme – garden form of the plant. It loves the sun, loose soil, can do without fertilizers. It is better to plant this species in the sandy substrate and the spring crop to keep the plants from growing. With a favorable climate, it is easy and grows quickly in the garden, propagated from cuttings. Wild lemon thyme is native to Spain.

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

Thyme clonic

This vulnerable species listed in the Red book of Russia. It grows in the middle reaches of the Volga, Bashkortostan, the Volga. Flowering plants near the city of Astrakhan stopped.

Thyme clonic – green shrub, reaching a height of 5–12cm. Its stem is straight, vertical shoots, leaves ovate, dense, located along the entire length of the stem. The flowers are collected in a bun on the top of the stem, have a delicate pinkish hue. This species reproduces by seeds and vegetatively. This herb grows on rocky ground, blooms from June to August.

The collection of this plant is prohibited, although it has medicinal properties and refers to melliferous plants.


Thyme black

Fresh thyme is used to replace black pepper. The fruit of thyme – black-brown nuts with a nice robust flavor and bitter taste – ripen in August-September. You can also combine the black pepper and thyme. Fruits of black thyme are part of the drugs. It is made from essential oil. In ancient times thyme was sutured in amulets and worn on the body to scare away evil spirits. Thyme is used as a good stimulant of immunity.


Contraindications to the use of thyme

Due to the high content of thymol in the plant itcontraindicated in renal and heart failure, with gastric ulcer and duodenal ulcer in the acute stage. It is not recommended to pregnant women because it can cause uterine contractions on the background of tonic effect. Overdose and prolonged use of preparations of thyme contribute to the development of hyperthyroidism (graves ' disease).

It is forbidden to cure any herbal medicines children up to two years. Contraindicated self-treatment overdose may be nausea and vomiting.

Use the decoction and infusion of thyme after consultation with your doctor. In cooking, too, do not overdo it with thyme for food. The essential oil contained in the plant can cause stomach irritation, kidney and liver. Grass is contraindicated in patients suffering from bronchial asthma, emphysema, and hypertension. Make the preparations made with thyme, and carefully dosed.