Thyme is a creeping perennial that grows in the shape of a semi-shrub of the family Labiotus. This plant is often identified with thyme. In fact, thyme and thyme are close relatives of the same genus. Each of them has its own varieties, some differences in color, smell, small differences in the form of leaves and stem. But their similarity allows us to take them for the same plant, their use by humans is the same.
What thyme has creeping properties, why it is harvested and how it is used - this will be discussed in the article. Apply herbs can only knowing all their properties, only then it will benefit and will not cause harm.
Thyme (thyme): chemical composition and nutritional value
The chemical composition of thyme contains a powerful herbal antibiotic - carvacrol. He is capable of overcoming Staphylococcus aureus. Also in the composition of the plant is an essential oil containing a lot of thymol, linalool, karyofillen.
The plant contains the following elements:
- vitamins A, group B 1-9, C, E, K, PP, beta-carotene;
- Cymol;
- terpineol;
- ascaridol;
- borneol;
- ursolic acid;
- choline;
- micro- and macronutrients - sodium, potassium, iron, calcium, selenium.
Thyme is useful
Thyme has the following beneficial properties:
- anti-inflammatory;
- antiseptic;
- diuretic;
- anticonvulsant;
- antipyretic;
- pain killer;
- hypnotic. Active substances - resins, essential oil, tannins, mineral salts, flavonoids and bitterness, acids - provide a wide range of action of the herb on the human body.
- individual intolerance;
- myocardial infarction;
- kidney disease;
- liver disease;
- stomach ulcer;
- reduced thyroid function.
Creeping thyme is also useful because it is a good plant honey plant. Honey from it is very fragrant. The beneficial properties of thyme appear when brewing in tea - it is considered a natural stimulant used for stress, for the treatment of depression, migraine, neurasthenia. The use of thyme in tea is very useful for children suffering from anemia.
Dry herbs used to be used for worship services. Today, the aboveground part of the plant is very much in demand in the perfume industry.
Pharmacological properties of thyme
Thyme plant has healing properties due to its chemical composition. Thymol, which is abundant in thyme, refers to phenol derivatives. But thymol has less toxicity and has a milder effect on mucous membranes, is a good bactericidal agent in the fight against coccal flora. Thymol is very active against pathogenic fungi, whipworm, tapeworms.
The healing essential oils contained in the plant are effective for bronchitis and other pulmonary diseases, especially for whooping cough and asthma. They are also useful in infectious intestinal inflammations.
The sudorific properties of creeping thyme make it an effective diaphoretic remedy, which is important for colds, runny nose and flu. The ability to regulate the activity of the nervous system is beneficial to people suffering from insomnia.
Fermentation in the intestine is removed by decoctions and infusions of thyme. Therefore, it is taken when eating fatty, heavy foods, to normalize digestion.
Thyme has beneficial properties in treating arthritis and rheumatism. In this case, it is used externally. Also, thyme is used externally in the form of lotions, compresses and ointments, which are effective for skin diseases.
Did you know? The infusion of thyme causes a persistent aversion to alcohol, so it is used to treat alcohol addiction.
Thyme is also useful for men. It concentrates trace elements important for men's health. Selenium in the plant is necessary for the synthesis of testosterone, molybdenum activates enzymes that are responsible for the normal sexual function.
How to use thyme in traditional medicine
In folk medicine, thyme is often used due to its availability, taste and, in fact, healing properties. The simplest form of application is thyme tea. For the preparation of such, you can use a fresh plant or dried. A teaspoon of herbs is poured with a glass of hot water, insisted for five minutes - and the tea is ready, just need to filter it. You can also mix the herb with black tea.
In the fight against alcoholism use a decoction of thyme. It is prepared by pouring 15 grams of raw material with 500 ml of boiling water. The mixture is held for 15 minutes in a water bath, filtered and boiling water is added to obtain 500 ml output. Such decoctions are effective for withdrawal from binge. You can take a decoction for two weeks at 50 grams, and after it drink a little alcohol. Resistant gag reflex helps to turn away from alcohol.
When radiculitis, diseases of the joints prepare thyme tincture. For its preparation you need to take 8 tablespoons of raw materials, pour them with 0.5 liters of vodka. Insist in a dark place for two weeks, shaking. Then strain the mixture and rub into sore parts of the body. You can also take baths with such diseases - take 200 grams of thyme for 2 liters of boiling water and insist. Take a bath for 15 minutes two days.
When female diseases can be done douching. 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.
With sexual weakness in men, use the following recipe: 2 tablespoons of herbs pour 500 ml of boiling water, insist 2-3 hours. After strain and take half a glass for half an hour before meals twice a day.
You can gargle with thyme with inflammatory diseases of the oral cavity, pharynx. Crushed grass is poured with boiling water, infused for an hour and after filtering rinse the mouth with warm infusion. It also helps with toothache.
Thyme decoctions are taken under the following conditionsiyah: gtin pains, insomnia, nervous agitation, neuralgia, epilepsy, fear, stress, pneumonia, anemia, bronchitis, intestinal diseases, diseases of the stomach, and so on.
Thyme in cosmetology
Thyme oil found application in cosmetology. It is used for beauty and strength of hair. Apply it before shampooing - you need to rub into the scalp or mix the oil with shampoo, about 5 ml per 20 ml of shampoo. It will help get rid of dandruff, normalizes the work of the sebaceous glands, reduces the fat content of the hair.
Also, to prevent hair loss, thyme decoctions are used - 4 tablespoons of herbs pour 400 ml of water, boil for 10 minutes, strain, cool. After washing the hair they rinse hair. Flush it is not necessary.
Herbal medicine with thyme includes steam baths for the skin of the face. Thyme (thyme) pour boiling water for 20 minutes. Take a tablespoon of grass for half a liter of water. Above the hot broth bend over, covering his head with a towel. Keep the face above the steam bath for 10 minutes.
Important! You must comply with safety regulations. The procedure must be performed without fanaticism - if it is too hot, you should not tolerate it. It is necessary to provide a comfortable temperature and the desired distance of the face over the broth.
When flabby skin, enlarged pores, inflammations apply compresses of thyme. A glass of boiling water is combined with a tablespoon of thyme, allowed to cool. After that you can moisten gauze or cotton cloth in broth and apply to face. The procedure lasts 15-20 minutes.
The use of thyme in cooking
Thyme leaves are used in cooking. This seasoning is used fresh and dried. The pungent smell, spicy, slightly bitter taste is such a thyme in dishes.
Thyme leaves added to the dishes improve the taste and aroma, give bitterness. In the bakery business thyme is the leading spice. Vegetable dishes - cabbage and potatoes - are also transformed with thyme.
Using thyme as a seasoning for fatty foods helps improve digestion. Due to the wonderful aromatic properties of thyme is used in small quantities for cooking.
Did you know? If thyme oil is added to the meat broth, it can restrain the growth of bacteria for three days.
Preparation of medical raw materials
An important role is played by the locality in which thyme grew. The collection of grass should be carried out only in areas with good ecology, far from roads and industries.
For treatment, collect the aerial part of the plant. The collection is carried out in the flowering period - the end of June - the beginning of August. The shoots with peduncles cut with scissors, placed in bags or a basket so that they do not hesitate and are not pressed.
Important! For harvesting it is not necessary to pull the thyme from the root. The roots are not used for treatment, but they are necessary so that the plant can multiply vegetatively.
Thyme must be collected in dry weather, after the morning dew has dried. Raw materials must be cleaned from lignified stems, diseased and thinned shoots, as well as insect larvae.
Dry thyme laid under the roof, in the shade and in a well-ventilated place. The grass is laid out in a thin layer on paper or on a natural canvas, can be dried in a suspended form.
Important! Dryers are not recommended to use, as the plant contains useful essential oils that will evaporate during accelerated drying.
After drying, the thyme stems become brittle, the leaves and flowers fall off. Quality collection consists of dark green leaves, dried brownish flowers and thin twigs and stems.
Thyme can be stored in a glass jar, canvas bag, paper or cardboard bag. In polyethylene, raw materials coexist and lose medicinal properties. Store for two years.
To whom thyme (thyme) can not be used
Thyme has beneficial properties and contraindications. Thyme should not be used in the following conditions:
Caution in the application must be observed pregnant. Some studies claim that thyme can increase the tone of the uterus, and this provokes a miscarriage. In this regard, tea from thyme cannot be abused.
You also need to remember that thyme-based products can lead to the development of hypothyroidism and high blood pressure. Overdose causes nausea. But in general, the use of thyme has a healing effect on the body. The main thing is to comply with the measure, and the grass will bring only benefit.
