What is thyme

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Thyme

Useful properties and uses of thyme herb

Botanical characteristics of thyme

Thyme is a perennial subshrub plant (5–40 cm high) with thin stems that grow along the ground. The leaves are small, thin, oval-shaped, green.

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The flowers are also small, pinkish-purple, very beautiful. They are collected in the form of bunches at the ends of the branches. The fruits of the plant are 4 nuts located at the bottom of the cup. Thyme is very fragrant and during the flowering period attracts many bees and butterflies. Propagated by seeds or vegetatively.

The flowering period of thyme is June-July. The fruits ripen in August-September. This grass grows in the European part of Russia, the Caucasus, Kazakhstan, Western Siberia, Transbaikalia, and Ukraine.

Thyme can be found on the slopes of ravines or ravines, in forests; it loves sandy soil. On plowed ground it grows strongly, creeping over hummocks. In spacious meadows you can find large thickets of thyme of a very beautiful pinkish or purple color.

Useful properties of thyme

The healing properties of thyme have been known since ancient times. This plant contains many useful elements, such as bitter and tannin substances, resins, gum, fats, ursolic and oleic acids, vitamins B and C. Its beneficial properties are manifested in antiseptic, wound healing and disinfectant effects on the human body. The herb has found its use in cosmetology, medicine, and the food industry.

It is best to harvest thyme at the beginning of summer, because it is at this time that it is most fragrant and contains a lot of essential oils. The collected raw materials are dried in small bunches, hung heads down in a ventilated place, protected from direct sunlight.

Use of thyme

Thyme is used not only in folk, but also in official medicine. It is part of a children's cough medicine called Pertusin. When stung by bees, thyme lotions relieve swelling and pain. Decoctions and extracts from the plant are prescribed for asthma and tuberculosis. This is an excellent sedative for depression, fatigue, and neurasthenia. A decoction of thyme helps with bad breath. Essential oil is used as an air disinfectant.

Thyme is also successfully used for coughs, bronchitis, asthma, tuberculosis, whooping cough, atony and intestinal spasms, and bloating. It effectively fights diseases such as articular and muscular rheumatism, copes well with the consequences of bruises and non-infectious rashes on the body. The plant is included in herbal preparations intended to relieve chronic fatigue syndrome.

Thyme preparations are indispensable for men's health. They prevent the development of prostatitis, eliminate sexual impotence and prevent premature ejaculation. In cooking, thyme is added to all foods (potatoes, legumes, sausage, fatty meat) when it is necessary to facilitate the absorption of difficult-to-digest food.

Tea with thyme

To treat colds, thyme can be combined with other herbs. In addition, thyme tea itself is very tasty and has a wonderful aroma.

Recipe 1. Pour 1 teaspoon of thyme into a quarter glass of water, bring to a boil and let it brew for 10 minutes. You can pour boiling water right away. After steeping, the tea should be strained.

Recipe 2. Three spoons of black tea and two spoons of thyme should be placed in a teapot, pour boiling water and leave for 2 minutes.

Recipe 3. Pour a glass of boiling water over a mixture of lingonberries, St. John's wort and thyme (ratio 1:1:1) and let it brew for 15 minutes.

Thyme for cough

Infusions and decoctions of thyme have a disinfectant and expectorant effect. They are prescribed for respiratory diseases, colds, asthma and sore throat.

Recipe 1. Pour one tablespoon of dry thyme into one glass of hot water, let it brew for one hour, then strain. Take the medicine 1-2 tablespoons three times a day.

Recipe 2. Mix fresh aloe juice with honey and 1 tablespoon of thyme infusion in a 1:1 ratio. Drink the resulting medicine.

Recipe 3. 3-4 tablespoons of thyme must be mixed with oregano and mint, 1 spoon each, pour boiling water, leave overnight. Drink the product like tea.

Recipe 4. Immediately after preparation, the decoction or infusion should be left in a container without straining, and a towel should be thrown over the head. You need to breathe over the steam for about 15 minutes, then cover your neck with a warm scarf or scarf; immediately after the procedure it is not recommended to go outside.

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Thyme for children

Nowadays, many parents prefer to use drugs from natural plants in the treatment of their young children, since synthetic drugs have a lot of side effects and contraindications. One such beneficial herb is thyme. It has a soothing, disinfectant and antiseptic effect. If a child does not sleep well, then it is enough to take a warm bath with thyme - and the baby’s sleep will be healthy and calm. Baths also help well with rickets and rheumatism.

But when treating with herbs, you should definitely follow the recommendations of healers and homeopaths. Proper use of natural medicines gives the best healing effect.

Thyme during pregnancy

Everyone knows that medicines prepared from natural ingredients, as well as herbal infusions and decoctions, are much better than chemical and synthetic drugs. And, as you know, the expectant mother should think about the health of her child throughout the entire period of pregnancy. That is why pregnant women prefer to use herbs to maintain their health.

One of the medicinal plants is thyme. It has a gentle effect on the nervous system of expectant mothers, especially during mood swings. It is also known that some pregnant women eat a lot and often, consuming all foods in a row. Such indiscriminateness can lead to diarrhea, and this is where thyme decoction will help. If a woman has back or joint pain, you can make compresses from leaves and flowers.

Attention : pregnant women should use any thyme medications only after consulting a doctor!

Thyme oil

Thyme oil contains tannins, resins, malic and acetic acids, and mineral salts. The oil is obtained from the thyme herb. The oil also contains thymol, which has antiseptic and anthelmintic properties. The oil is used for various ailments. It is effective for skin diseases, helps with headaches, stomach pain, and joint diseases. The oil has a good effect on respiratory diseases, including tuberculosis and asthma.

Thyme oil is practically irreplaceable if you suffer from insomnia, headaches and depression. It helps with hair loss, besides, it improves memory and increases attention.

Thyme for alcoholism

Unfortunately, alcoholism is a terrible disease of our people. But it can be cured with thyme. A decoction of the plant contains thymol , which causes vomiting in case of overdose . The effect of thyme decoction is based on this.

Recipe. 15 g of thyme is poured into 250 ml of boiling water, left in a water bath for 10–15 minutes, after which the first infusion is drained and the same amount of water is added again. Take a decoction of 50–70 ml several times a day, after which the patient should be given approximately 25 g of vodka to drink. Before drinking vodka, you need to sniff it for 5 minutes. 10–30 minutes after drinking the vodka, a reaction occurs: the patient experiences nausea or even vomiting.

Treatment usually lasts 1–2 weeks, and as a result the patient develops a persistent aversion to alcohol. Be sure to use only fresh decoction.

Thyme essential oil

The essential oil is obtained by steam distillation of thyme flowers. Thanks to its expectorant, warming and anti-inflammatory properties, thyme oil has a beneficial effect on respiratory diseases. This is an excellent remedy for the treatment of genitourinary infections and inflammations.

With its help, you can easily cope with women's diseases such as pain and menstrual irregularities. Essential oil stimulates contractions, and the baby is born faster. Thyme is susceptible to problems with the gastrointestinal tract, and in addition, it improves appetite, elevates mood, relieves fatigue, increases alertness and tones the nervous system.

Thyme syrup

Thyme cough syrup is no worse, and maybe even better, than the synthetic medicines that we are all used to using, because the syrup is prepared from natural ingredients.

Recipe 1. A small bunch of still blooming thyme should be washed well, finely chopped and allowed to dry. Then the raw material needs to be poured with about 450 ml of water and simmered over low heat, the water should boil by half. The broth should be allowed to cool, then strain it, add about 50 g of garlic (squeeze out the juice) and 300 g of natural honey. Mix everything and store in a tightly sealed container. You need to take the medicine after meals, 1 teaspoon per day. This syrup can be stored for a very long time.

Recipe 2. Finely chop 20 g of dry thyme, pour in about 200 ml of hot water, cook over low heat in a closed saucepan until the water boils by half. Dissolve 200 g of honey in a water bath and add it to the decoction. The syrup turns out very tasty. Children can be given this medicine after meals, 1 teaspoon.

Recipe 3. Flowering thyme must be cut and placed in a glass jar in layers, alternating thyme with sugar, pressed down and left in a dark place for two weeks. Then the syrup is poured into another jar and covered tightly with a lid. Add the product to tea if you have stomach problems.

Thyme Recipes

Recipe 1. Pour boiling water over chopped thyme and boil in a water bath for 20–30 minutes. Then cool and strain. The ratio of thyme and water is 1:10. This thyme decoction is recommended for stomach cancer.

Recipe 2. Add one tablespoon of thyme to 400 ml of water, bring to a boil, cool and strain. You should drink half a glass three times a day. This decoction is used for dysbiosis, headaches, loss of sleep and overexertion.

Recipe 3. Infusion for dandruff and hair loss. Pour one tablespoon of dry crushed thyme into 250 ml of boiling water, let it brew for 1 hour and drink 70 g three times a day.

Recipe 4. Bath infusion. You need to pour 100 g of thyme into five liters of boiling water, let it sit for 30 minutes, and pour it into the bath. Bathing should be repeated twice a week.

Recipe 5. Tincture as a flu prevention. For 50 g of dry thyme, take 220 ml of 70% alcohol, leave for 10 days in a dark, cool room in a glass container at a temperature of 20–25 degrees Celsius, shaking once every two days. The maximum shelf life of the tincture is five years.

Recipe 6. Prevention of influenza. 20 g of thyme herb, mint leaves and fragrant violet flowers should be poured with 500 ml of vodka, left for 3-4 days, shaking at least twice every day. Then strain the medicine.

Thyme for blood pressure

Thyme is often used in herbal remedies for hypertension, so people suffering from high blood pressure may benefit from drinking thyme tea. It dilates blood vessels.

Recipe. Pour one tablespoon of herbal mixture into a glass of boiling water, let it brew for several hours and drink before meals three to four times a day. After drinking, you need to lie down and apply a warm heating pad to your feet.

Contraindications to the use of thyme

Despite the many beneficial properties of this medicinal plant, it has contraindications for use. People suffering from gastritis, diabetes, stomach and duodenal ulcers are not recommended to take thyme-based medications.

It should be remembered that although thyme is useful for tuberculosis, asthma and pneumonia, as an expectorant, this same effect (expectorant) can provoke complications of these diseases if the dosage is not taken into account.

Pregnant women need to use the plant in very measured doses - there may be a risk of miscarriage. Treatment with thyme preparations should only be done after consulting a doctor.

Author of the article: Nina Vladimirovna Sokolova, naturopathic doctor, herbalist

Mint is prescribed as a vasodilator, anti-inflammatory, sedative and analgesic. The plant contains such useful substances as ether, pinene, menthofuran, tannins, paperitone, flavonoids, jasmon and others.

Due to the content of many useful and medicinal substances, horseradish is used in the treatment of various diseases and ailments. Horseradish increases appetite and has a property that stimulates the digestive system of the human body.

Chicory normalizes metabolism in the body and is able to remove all toxins from the body. Chicory cleanses the kidneys and helps improve the condition of diabetics. In addition, it is used to improve blood composition. Chicory stimulates appetite, improves intestinal activity, and is also an excellent remedy.

According to research from the Delhi Institute (India), turmeric thins the blood and lowers heart pressure, which is very useful for hypertensive patients. It reduces excess blood sugar, has a beneficial effect on the cardiovascular system, and helps with Alzheimer's disease.

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 should remember that long-term use of thyme-based products can lead to the development of hypothyroidism.

Another ignorant nonsense. They are trying to convince us that a synthetic drug, which contains only a purified active substance, is more harmful than a herbal drug, which not only contains the active substance in an unknown concentration, but also contains a bunch of accompanying components

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Fragrant herb thyme, beneficial properties and contraindications

What is thyme:

What is thyme, the beneficial properties and contraindications of thyme, and does this plant have any medicinal properties? These questions often arise among those who care about their health and show interest in traditional methods of treatment, in particular in treatment with medicinal plants. And this interest is understandable. Maybe in this article, to some extent, you can get an answer to these questions.

Thyme, or thyme, is called Thymus in Latin, and among Russian people: Bogorodskaya herb, boron pepper, heather, zhidobnik, lebiushka, lemon scent, flypalm, thyme, incense, chebarka. Thyme received the name “Bogorodskaya herb” because of the tradition existing in Rus' on the day of the Dormition of the Virgin Mary with bouquets of it to decorate the icon of the Mother of God.

Thyme belongs to the Lamiaceae family, another name for the same family is Lamiaceae; and there are a lot of types of thyme, more precisely, several hundred, distributed throughout almost all of Eurasia (except the tropics), in North Africa and Greenland. Thymes look like low-growing shrubs and subshrubs and belong to essential oil plants.

Thyme has the appearance of a perennial herbaceous plant, about 5-30 cm tall, with coarse red-brown stems lying at the base. It has small, opposite, ovoid leaves covered with glands that secrete essential oil. Flowering branches point upward.

Flowers form inflorescences. The wreaths are lilac-red (sometimes white). Has a pleasant aroma. Thyme is a honey plant. Flowering - from May to autumn.

The result of flowering is small peas with a diameter of 5–6 millimeters.

Over 170 species of thyme grow on the territory of Russia and neighboring countries. Creeping thyme and related species are most often used in medicine, perfumery and cooking.

Flea thyme, creeping thyme, Marshall thyme, Ural thyme, Siberian thyme, Crimean thyme, Dagestan thyme, Zhiguli thyme, Pallas thyme, little-leaved thyme, etc. grow in different places. They may differ in appearance, in their composition, in the content of substances. However, they all have medicinal properties and are used in traditional medicine.

Theophrastus and Dioscorides attributed to thyme the ability to calm spasms of any nature and relieve inflammation in the liver and intestines.

Warriors of ancient Rome specially took baths with thyme to gain vigor and vitality. For the same purpose, women of the Middle Ages hung branches of this plant and gave them to male knights.

Somewhat later, it was found that thyme has beneficial properties that allow it to be used as a bactericidal agent against the causative agents of anthrax and tuberculosis. The essential oil obtained from this plant is an antiseptic that is 25 times more effective than phenol, hydrogen peroxide and potassium permanganate (“potassium permanganate”). The leaves and flowering tops of thyme are used as medicinal raw materials.

Composition of thyme:

Thyme is very rich in useful substances - there is also essential oil (it contains a lot of thymol and carvacrol). The chemical composition of the plant includes flavonoids, tannins, organic acids - oleanolic, ursolic, coffee, as well as vitamins, fats, resins, gum, bitterness, and minerals.

Thyme contains vitamin C, carotene (provitamin A), essential oils (during flowering - up to 1.5%), bitter and tannins, organic acids (aminolonic, caffeic, quinic, etc.), flavonoids, minerals (potassium , calcium, magnesium), some saponins. The essential oil of this plant includes terpenes: about 30% thymol, cymene, borneol and other biologically active substances. The rich content of thymol determines the antibacterial effect of thyme.

Beneficial features:

Due to the fact that thyme contains a large amount of essential oil and thymol, it is an effective antiseptic and is used in medicine for infectious intestinal diseases, leucorrhoea, lung infections, bronchitis (thyme is considered especially useful for whooping cough).

This plant has a diaphoretic effect on the body, due to which it is used in the treatment of influenza, colds, and rhinitis. During the seasonal flu surge, thyme can serve as a prophylactic. The smell of thyme is very similar to the smell of oregano.

This plant helps well with insomnia - it has a not too pronounced hypnotic effect.

This plant also has a tonic effect and plays the role of a natural stimulant, making thyme useful for stress conditions, neurasthenia, and in the treatment of depression and migraine attacks. It is recommended for children suffering from anemia.

This plant eliminates food fermentation in the intestines, prevents the formation of gases, preventing bloating; promotes better absorption of fatty foods.

The antispasmodic effect of thyme is used in the treatment of whooping cough and asthma.

It is used for baths - in the treatment of arthritis, rheumatism, and colds. It is used for various lotions, ointments, and compresses for skin ailments.

It is interesting to note another beneficial property of this plant. It turns out that thyme has a reputation as a remedy against alcoholism, causing an aversion to alcohol.

For such purposes, pour one handful of herbs with 3 glasses of water and leave for half an hour. Take 1 tablespoon every 15 minutes. But cooks are increasingly using thyme more and more willingly.

Thyme (thyme) leaves are used in cooking and the production of various drinks; for example, they are included in the well-known herbes de Provence spice mixture. The stems, along with the leaves and flowers, can be brewed as tea.

Thyme essential oil is used to flavor cosmetics: toilet soap, lipsticks, creams, toothpastes, as well as in the pharmaceutical industry.

Thyme has been used for treatment since ancient times, and it was believed that it was capable of restoring not only health, but even life. They used it to fumigate rooms, driving out evil spirits. In ancient times, in Ancient Greece, it was brought as a gift to the goddess of love and beauty Aphrodite. The Romans took baths with thyme to restore strength and for infectious diseases.

In some French hospitals back in the 12th century. Antiseptic herbs – thyme and rosemary – were burned to disinfect the air and “repel” disease. Before World War II, thyme and chamomile oils were used to sterilize medical instruments.

1 tsp. dry or fresh thyme flowers, pour 1 cup of boiling water, leave for 5-10 minutes, strain and drink as tea, you can add honey. This tea (as they now say, “tisana”, that is, herbal tea) improves stomach function, eliminates heartburn, relieves headaches, and is a preventative against colds. If you drink this tea in the morning on an empty stomach, it has a beneficial effect on the intestinal microflora and helps in the fight against dysbiosis. Thyme decoction lotions are applied to the site of the bite of bees, wasps, mosquitoes and other insects.

Contraindications:

Despite the abundance of undoubtedly beneficial properties, thyme also has a number of rather strict contraindications. For example, people suffering from cardiosclerosis, atrial fibrillation, and cerebral atherosclerosis should not use drugs made on its basis. Since this medicinal plant has a high content of thymol, it cannot be used for kidney and liver diseases. It is also contraindicated for pregnant women and people suffering from severe diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. It would be advisable to limit its use to persons susceptible to kidney and liver diseases.

Most experts agree that thyme is one of the most effective anti-inflammatory agents today. However, this plant should not be consumed constantly, even for medicinal purposes. Otherwise, the patient risks developing hypothyroidism. And it never hurts to consult a doctor before treatment!

Cold treatment:

  • Mix thyme infusion with 1 tbsp. l. a mixture of aloe and honey in a 1:1 ratio. Take the resulting medicine when coughing, 1 tbsp. l. 3–4 times a day.
  • 1 tbsp. l. Pour 1 cup of boiling water over thyme herbs and cover with a lid. Leave for 15 minutes, strain and take 1/2 cup 3 times a day warm for respiratory diseases.
  • For sore throat, pharyngitis and dental diseases, rinse your mouth and throat with this warm infusion 3-4 times a day.
  • Pour a bunch of blooming, washed thyme into 2 cups of boiling water, heat in a water bath for 30 minutes, pour boiled water into the broth to the original volume, and then add 2 tbsp. l. garlic juice, 250 g of honey and mix everything well. Store the finished mixture in a tightly closed glass jar in the refrigerator. Take 1 tsp when coughing. after meals 2 times a day. The syrup can be stored for a long time. For children, this medicine can be prepared without garlic.
  • Marshmallow root – 50 g, thyme herb (thyme) – 50 g. Chop and mix everything. 4 tsp. pour 1 glass of cold water over the mixture, leave for 2 hours, bring to a boil, set aside and cool. Strain and drink in 3 doses per day. Used for infectious diseases of the bronchi.
  • Pour 50 g of dry thyme herb into 200 ml of 70% alcohol and leave to infuse in a dark, cool room for one week, shaking occasionally. Strain the finished tincture and take 20–25 drops with water to prevent flu. The shelf life of the tincture is three years.

By the way, before treating a cold with thyme, do not forget to consult your doctor!

Thyme for men:

The beneficial substances that make up thyme seem to have been specially selected by nature for the health of the stronger sex. Various decoctions and tinctures based on this plant will help overcome stress, bring blood pressure to normal levels, eliminate muscle spasms, and accelerate hair growth. But the main thing is that such drugs are successfully used in the treatment and prevention of impotence and prostatitis.

It is very useful for men who have some problems with potency or prostatitis to drink tea with thyme. It is recommended to drink at least one cup of this drink per day. The fact is that thyme contains zinc, which has a beneficial effect on human reproductive function. There are cases where a man got rid of this unpleasant disease simply by drinking ordinary tea with thyme. But for this drink to really have a beneficial effect, you need to learn how to prepare it correctly.

For example, you can brew it as regular tea or as a tincture. But remember that you must adhere to all recommendations regarding proportions so as not to harm your health.

To prepare such a drink, you should take regular black tea in slightly smaller quantities and 3-5 dry thyme inflorescences. For greater effect, you can add lemon balm or mint. Next, mix all the ingredients and brew them like regular tea. After this, let the mixture brew for 5-7 minutes, and you can safely drink the drink.

Thyme for women:

Thyme has a tonic effect on the entire body. Decoctions of this herb are especially useful for women prone to stress, depression, and migraines. Gynecologists also recommend thyme infusions for women suffering from inflammation of the appendages and painful menstruation. Baths with thyme decoction reduce fatigue and restore the performance of the entire body.

For women who want to lose weight, this herb will help them achieve success faster, so it can be added as a spice to meat, fish, and vegetable salads. This zeal helps digestion and makes food easier to absorb. You can drink tea with thyme instead of breakfast, since tea is high in calories, your hunger will be satisfied for two hours. Viburnum will be a good addition to tea, then it will not only become more tasty, but also useful in terms of vitamin composition.

Women also use this medicinal plant for cosmetic purposes. What can thyme do for beauty? Decoctions prepared from thyme (as well as its essential oil) have found use in hair and skin care. If you regularly use products based on this plant, it will give good results for your appearance.

What cosmetic properties does this plant have? So, thyme:

  • Makes our curls stronger and more manageable;
  • Helps eliminate dandruff and relieve scalp irritation;
  • Effective against acne;
  • Promotes wound healing.

Collection and storage:

Thyme stocks are made during the flowering period. The raw materials collected at this time are very aromatic, which gives thyme tea an amazing taste. The upper non-lignified parts of the branches are harvested, which are cut off or carefully plucked from the stem. The raw materials are cleaned of foreign impurities and branches before drying.

Thyme is harvested by cutting it with a knife, rather than pulling it out by the roots. After collection, it is not washed, but immediately cut. Dry it by laying it out on cloth or paper in the open air (not in the sun, but in the shade). The layer should be no more than 7 cm. Then the raw materials are threshed and sifted to remove debris and thick stems.

When the raw material is ready, it is stored in a paper bag or fabric bag, in a dry and well-ventilated area. Can be stored for no more than 2 years.

Thyme for weight loss:

Tea with thyme is useful for those losing weight and those who have already achieved good results in the struggle for a beautiful body. Essential oils act as a diuretic and help remove toxins from the body. In addition, this drink improves digestion. Other diuretics flush beneficial substances from our body. Tea replenishes and maintains vitamin and mineral composition, eliminating some health problems. Green tea with thyme and mint or honey is considered a particularly effective remedy for weight loss.

However, it is also impossible to say that this plant can be decisive in the fight against excess weight. Of course, this plant can improve digestion and correct metabolism, so if your weight problems are based precisely on the above problems, a thyme drink can still have a positive effect.

One way or another, despite the not very high effectiveness in losing weight, it is not at all necessary to completely give up 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.

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By the way, the beneficial properties of thyme are not only the treatment of various diseases, but also, for example, cooking!

Traditional medicine recommends using thyme for coughs, bronchitis and pneumonia. There is such a simple recipe: pour a tablespoon of dry thyme with a glass of boiling water, leave for an hour. We drink 2 tablespoons with honey three times a day.

There is a good recipe with thyme for colds. You need to boil water in a saucepan, throw a handful of dry thyme into it, as much as you like. Place a towel or sheet over your head and breathe in the steam for about fifteen minutes. Then cover your neck with a warm scarf. Helps.

Thyme helps with acne on the face. You can make homemade lotion. Take a tablespoon of dry thyme for two glasses of water. Boil for two minutes and leave for five minutes. Add juice from half a lemon. We wash our face with this lotion several times a day.

Thyme adds a pleasant taste to many dishes. It is especially useful in fatty dishes, with fried potatoes, fatty soups, and goes well with pork, lamb, game and pates.

Interesting. This kind of modest grass grows right under your feet, in any quantity. And the smell is amazing!

Baths with thyme are very good for relaxing muscles after physical activity.

Source: http://yazdorovee.ru/dushistaya-trava-chabrec-poleznye-svojstva-chabreca

Thyme herb, medicinal properties and contraindications

What is thyme?

What is thyme, medicinal properties and contraindications, what are the beneficial properties of this plant, all this is of great interest to those who lead a healthy lifestyle, monitor their health, and are interested in traditional methods of treatment, including using 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 a strong aromatic odor. 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 purple color is clearly visible in the color. 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 in its wild form it is found on the northwestern coast of the 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.

Benefit:

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 tannin substances, 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 exposed to intense chemicals 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 pickling, soaking, as a seasoning for vegetable, meat, and fish dishes, for flavoring sausages, sauces, cheeses, jellies, and tea. In cooking, the apical parts of non-lignified branches are used: they are often added to sandwich butter along 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.

Any plant can cause harm to humans if abused. Consuming an excessive amount of decoction can cause insomnia and nightmares. The correct dosage of thyme decoction is necessary for hypertensive patients and people suffering from Parkinson's disease. Taking decoctions cannot be combined with some active medications; in this case, consulting a doctor 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 and spices of thyme can be harmful to people suffering from peptic ulcers and 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 THESE RULES:

Medicinal properties:

Thyme is used in both folk and official medicine with great activity. The spice contains essential oils, flavonoids, vitamins C, E, B vitamins, and rutin. This herb is rich in potassium, zinc, manganese, concentrates iron, magnesium, selenium, barium. You can name a number of beneficial properties of the 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.
  • An infusion of the herb, a liquid extract, is 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 compositions 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, poor memory, hypertension, cerebral sclerosis in old age, irritability, neuroses, epilepsy, hysteria, convulsive syndromes, atherosclerosis, pain in the heart, 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 of the urethra, nephritis, pyelonephritis, articular and muscular rheumatism, paralysis, arthritis, radiculitis, bronchial asthma, asthmatic conditions in the clinical picture of diencephalic paroxysms, whooping cough, dry and spasmodic cough, colds and infectious diseases of the respiratory system, influenza, pneumonia , pulmonary tuberculosis, edema, puerperal fever, weakening of the body's immune forces, as a remedy for the treatment of alcoholism and an anthelmintic for removing 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:

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:

  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.

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:

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, walnut, fig leaves, black elderberry leaves and flowers, linden blossom.

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. For severe coughs and colds, drink 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 the genitourinary organs of 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.

Weight loss:

Recently, 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 virtually no effect on fatty tissue.

However, it is also impossible to say that thyme is absolutely useless in the fight against excess weight. 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.

Source: http://prokalorijnost.ru/trava-chabrec-lechebnye-svojstva-i-protivopokazaniya

Thyme (thyme, Bogorodskaya herb)

People often ask, are thyme and thyme the same thing? Yes, these are names of the same plant.

Other popular names: creeping thyme, Bogorodskaya herb, flypalm, frogwort, boron pepper. Belongs to the Lamiaceae family.

Appearance

Thyme is a perennial plant. It does not grow higher than 15 cm. It is not by chance that it is called “creeping”. The thyme really spreads in different directions, its thin shoots practically lie on the ground, and the stems with flowers are raised.

The branches are covered with small leaves, the length of which is 0.5 - 1 cm. Their shape resembles an ellipse with a pointed end. The leaf petiole is short. The upper side of the leaf is smooth, the lower part is light, one might say grayish, and slightly pubescent.

Small flowers are painted in a delicate pinkish-purple color. They are located closer to the ends of the stems and are collected in small bunches. The calyx of the flower is a two-lipped bell with four stamens and a long pistil. When you pull out the plant with its roots, you will see that it is a taproot. Thyme blooms in June-July. It is very fragrant. That's why bees and butterflies circle around him.

By autumn, fruits in the shape of an oval nut appear at the location of the flowers, which are enclosed in a box.

The genus thyme has 214 species of plants. Of these, about 170 are found on the territory of the Russian Federation and states bordering it:

  • Common thyme. This type of thyme reaches a height of 15 cm. Its leaves are quite small and have a edge on the inside. Flowers can be white or lavender. Subspecies of common thyme are low-growing plants.
  • Lemon thyme. This is a hybrid based on the plant described above. Named lemon because of its characteristic citrus aroma. Young leaves have a light yellow color, which changes to light green as the plant ages. It does not tolerate frost well, so it should be covered for the winter. If such a plant is trimmed, it will become bushy.
  • Creeping thyme. Its shoots really seem to spread out in different directions from the central part. The color of the flowers of this type of thyme can be white, crimson or pink. The flowering period lasts from July to August.

Where does it grow?

Thyme is native to the Mediterranean. In southern European countries, thyme occurs naturally as an evergreen small shrub. Cultivated in the south of Europe and America, the north of the African continent. The temperate zone is where it grows. Prefers steppe areas. You can find thyme in rocky and rocky areas. He also loves the outskirts of the forest. In forest areas, thyme prefers open areas.

The raw material is the entire above-ground part. When collecting the plant, do not damage the root system. The plant takes a very long time to recover. Thyme is harvested in June-July. The most ideal moment is the beginning of flowering. It is during this period that thyme is especially fragrant. Drying is done in the shade. The plant is laid out on fabric or paper. The layer should be no more than 7 cm. It is mixed during the drying process. The stems can be removed by threshing the dried plant.

The finished raw materials are placed in a tightly sealed container and stored for 2 years.

Peculiarities

Thyme is an excellent honey plant. Bees make honey from it, which has a unique rich aroma.

Characteristics

  • The plant has a very strong aroma.
  • When dried, it has a bitter-spicy and pungent taste.

Nutritional value and calorie content

100 g of thyme herb contains:

The energy value of 100 grams of raw materials is 101 kcal, dry - 273 kcal, and in tea - 5 kcal (in 200 ml).

Chemical composition

  • essential oil – 1% (thymol, carvacrol, cymene, terpenoids);
  • flavonoids;
  • tannins;
  • gum;
  • acids (oleanolic, ursolic);
  • vitamins (A, E, C, K, B1, B2, B6, B9, PP);
  • minerals (K, Ca, Mg, P, Fe, Mn, Cu, Se, Zn).

You can learn about the unique properties of thyme from an excerpt from the program “Live Healthy!”:

Beneficial features

The beneficial properties of thyme are due to the presence of the main component in its composition - thymol. In this regard, thyme has the following properties:

  • antiseptic;
  • disinfectants;
  • bactericidal;
  • antifungal;
  • expectorants;
  • anti-inflammatory;
  • antispasmodic and analgesic;
  • anthelmintic;
  • diuretics.

Read about the benefits and harms of tea with thyme in another article. You will learn about the healing properties, as well as how long you can drink this tea.

  • The plant can be harmful if abused. An overdose can lead to insomnia, and in large quantities – poisoning.
  • Some medications are incompatible with the simultaneous use of thyme. Therefore, do not forget to consult a specialist before use.
  • Bogorodskaya grass, like a sponge, absorbs toxins. Therefore, it needs to be collected away from highways and industrial enterprises.

Contraindications

  • kidney diseases;
  • liver diseases;
  • stomach ulcer;
  • pregnancy;
  • cardiosclerosis;
  • cardiac decompensation;
  • atrial fibrillation;
  • atherosclerosis;
  • children's age - up to 3 years.

Application

In cooking

Thyme is a wonderful spice. It is added:

  • in sauces, for example, lemon-garlic;
  • in meat dishes (lamb, pork) and fish;
  • for vegetable and egg dishes;
  • in marinades used for preserving tomatoes, cucumbers, apples;
  • to smoked meats, be it fish or meat;
  • in baked goods, flavoring baguettes, various cookies and pies;
  • in marinades that are used in preparing meat dishes. Thyme, rosemary and grated lemon zest are ideal ingredients. Thyme will not only add an amazing aroma to the dish, but will also have a positive effect on the digestion process. Thus, this use of it is both tasty and healthy at the same time.

In medicine

The beneficial properties of thyme have been known for a long time. Its medicinal properties are officially recognized by medicine:

  • Using thyme decoction lotions can relieve swelling and pain after insect bites.
  • The sedative properties of thyme are used for depression and nervous system disorders. It remarkably calms the upset psyche and is used as a remedy for chronic fatigue syndrome.
  • A bath with thyme will help a restless baby who has difficulty falling asleep.
  • You can rinse your mouth with a decoction of thyme. This will get rid of the unpleasant odor.
  • Thyme treats colds: cough, bronchitis, sore throat. It is prescribed for pulmonary tuberculosis.
  • Thyme is a remedy for flatulence.
  • Thyme is used to treat rheumatoid diseases and arthritis.
  • Thyme is a plant for men. It can be used as a prophylactic against prostatitis. In addition, thyme has a positive effect on male potency.
  • Traditional medicine recommends thyme-based decoctions in the fight against alcoholism. Thymol, which is part of thyme, is incompatible with alcohol and, as a result, nausea and vomiting occur. A decoction of thyme causes a persistent aversion to alcohol. It is used for 2 weeks. To prepare it, pour 15 g of dry plant into a glass of boiling water (250 ml). The broth is placed in a water bath for a quarter of an hour. The resulting infusion is filtered and diluted with another glass of boiling water. You need to drink it 4 times a day, 50 g each. Make sure the medicine is fresh. It should not be used if it has been stored for three days.
  • For inflammation in the mouth and pharynx, the infusion is used for rinsing.
  • Since thyme has antiseptic properties, its decoction is used to treat skin covered with rashes.

Infusion

It is not difficult to prepare a medicinal decoction or infusion. As a result, you will receive an excellent remedy that will speed up the healing process. The best thing about this is that this medicine tastes very good. To make such a life-giving elixir, you need to take 1 tbsp. a spoonful of dry raw materials and a glass of boiling water. This remedy is infused for about an hour. The strained infusion is taken one or two tablespoons, three times a day.

Thyme can be used for inhalation. Vapors from essential oils have a beneficial effect on the condition of the respiratory system.

During pregnancy

Particular attention should be paid to the use of thyme by women during pregnancy. If a woman carrying a baby has high blood pressure, then thyme should be excluded from the diet. The most unpleasant thing is that thyme increases blood pressure and this effect lasts for a long time. Therefore, even if you stop using it, you will not immediately feel a decrease in pressure. Atrial fibrillation, thyroid and kidney diseases are also the reasons why the use of thyme is strictly contraindicated.

The first three months of pregnancy are very important for the birth and formation of a new life. Any infections can negatively affect this process. Thyme, as a powerful remedy that strengthens the immune system, will have a positive effect on the mother’s body during this period. But in the second trimester you need to keep your blood pressure under control. And if it increases, immediately stop using Bogorodskaya herb.

In any case, before starting to use thyme, consultation with a gynecologist is necessary.

When losing weight

Bogorodskaya grass helps the body quickly absorb food. In this regard, it is an ideal component in the process of losing excess weight. Moreover, it is difficult to stay in good shape while following a diet. And thyme will help maintain strength and energy throughout the day. The ideal elixir would be tea with thyme and berries.

In cosmetology

Thyme strengthens hair and nails:

  • A few drops of thyme oil are added to the water with which you rinse your hair. This makes them strong and shiny.
  • To eliminate dandruff, after washing your hair with regular shampoo, you should rinse your hair with a cooled broth. A liter of boiling water is poured into a third of a glass of dry thyme. After an hour, the decoction is ready for use.
  • You can wash your face with the same water enriched with essential oil. The skin will get rid of acne and rashes.
  • Rubbing with ice cubes from a frozen decoction of Bogorodskaya grass will help tone the skin.

At home

  • Bogorodskaya herb is used in fragrant sachet pads.
  • Dried twigs are placed in a closet with woolen products to prevent moths from infesting them.
  • It is grown as an ornamental plant used in landscape design to create alpine slides.

Oil

Thyme oil is obtained by steam distillation. The raw material is the above-ground part of the plant with leaves and flowers. Thyme oil has a strong aroma with a hint of spice and warmth. It is used in the treatment of many diseases: arthritis, diseases of the genitourinary system, colds, premenstrual syndrome, low blood pressure, depression, skin diseases, insect bites.

The perfume industry uses thyme oil as aromatic additives to perfume waters, in the production of soap, lotion, etc.

Growing

Thyme loves unshaded places, so give it a place well lit by the sun.

Start preparing for planting in the fall. Dig well the area where you plan to plant Bogorodskaya grass. Remove everything unnecessary: ​​roots of other plants, weeds. Next, you should fertilize the soil. Regular manure and fertilizers with potassium and phosphorus are suitable for this.

With the onset of spring (mid-April), dig up the area again and add 20 g of urea to the soil. Planting takes place the next day after preparation. The seeds are scattered over the surface and sand is poured on top of them, a layer of which is 1 cm. Next, cover the planting with film. Shoots should appear in 2 weeks. The ideal temperature is 20°C. There should be a distance of about 40 cm between the rows. And then, if you want to plant thyme, then place the plants 30 cm apart.

Please note that thyme grows very slowly and takes a long time. Therefore, if you want the plant to bloom faster, plant seedlings on your windowsill in early spring. The seeds are also sprinkled with sand on top. Young shoots need to be moistened; they can be sprayed with a spray bottle. Thyme can be planted in open ground after 2.5 months. In one place, thyme can grow for 5 years.

Caring for thyme is the same as caring for any other plant, i.e. weeding, watering, loosening the soil. You cannot pour thyme. Just make sure it doesn't get too dry. Thyme tolerates frost well, but before the onset of winter it can be covered with straw. You can feed thyme with urea and manure. Remember: fresh manure is contraindicated for thyme!

Thyme is propagated by seeds or vegetatively. If you decide to plant a large bush of thyme, then divide it carefully so as not to damage the roots. You can propagate thyme using a plant that is 1 year old. The shoot is cut into pieces approximately 5 cm in size. These petioles are stuck into the soil and covered with a glass jar, which provides such a “harvest” with a greenhouse effect. Make sure there is not a lot of moisture. Otherwise, the petiole will simply rot. It takes 2 weeks for it to take root. An overgrown plant can be pruned. This will in no way negatively affect the “health state” of the plant.

When collecting greens, carefully cut them without damaging the root system. Otherwise your plant will die.

Varieties

  • Elfin. This is dwarf thyme. Its height is only 5 cm. The overgrown bush reaches 15 cm in diameter. The shoots are tightly intertwined and form a dense carpet.
  • Alba. The flowers of this variety are white.
  • Splendens. The inflorescences are very bright, carmine-red.
  • The flowers of the Cossineus variety are scarlet.
  • Thyme Bogorodsky Semko. This variety can grow without transplantation for 4 years. Its shoots are thin, spreading in different directions. They can produce roots and form a new bush. The flowers are pink, sometimes with a purple tint. The taste of the leaves is pungent and bitter.
  • Rainbow. Quite a high grade. Its height is approximately 25 cm. At the same time, the branches of rainbow thyme are slightly raised above the ground. The leaves and shoots of the young plant can be eaten.

Interesting Facts

  • “Bogorodskaya grass” is the most common name for thyme. The name is associated with the traditional summer holiday of Trinity. Icons of the Mother of God were decorated with thyme grass.
  • In ancient Egypt, thyme was an herb used in mummification.
  • Translated from Greek, “thyme” means strength. The Greeks considered thyme to be the personification of strength and fertility. During rituals of sacrifice to the gods, thyme was thrown into sacrificial fires. Thyme baths were popular in those days. They were believed to maintain vigor.
  • In Slavic culture, thyme was used in magical rituals and rites of protection against evil spirits, and in love spells.

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Source: http://www.eda-land.ru/travy/chabrec-timyan/