In this article we will talk in detail about what is a thyme plant (or thyme). In addition, you will learn about its beneficial properties and how to use it.
General information
Creeping thyme, or thyme, is a perennial aromatic shrub that forms small tufts. The plant belongs to a complex genus of the Lamiaceae family. This is an essential oil herb that contains phenolic compounds such as carvacrol, thymol and others.
Biological Description
Before talking about the beneficial properties of this plant, it should be described. Herb thyme (creeping thyme) is a numerous stems, creeping along the ground. In some places, such a plant gives adventitious roots. It should also be noted that if in the upper part it is branched, then in the lower part it is woody, with numerous ascending generative and vegetative branches. Thyme leaves are opposite, oval, small, lanceolate or ovate, entire and short-petiolate. In a magnifying glass, you can clearly see the noticeable essential oil glands. The flowers of such a plant are medium-sized, purple-red and two-lipped. They grow at the ends of branches. bloomsthyme (photos are presented in this article) in June-July, and bears fruit only in August.
Name
The presented plant has many names. It is called thyme (through the letter “e”), creeping thyme, Bogorodskaya grass, pine forest pepper, erest, greedy, swan, lemon odor, muhopal, thyme, incense, chebarka, etc.
Distribution
The thyme genus includes several hundred species of plants that are distributed throughout almost all of Eurasia (but not in the tropics), as well as in Greenland and North Africa. In our country, thyme (or thyme) is quite widespread. So, about 170 species of this plant grow on the territory of the Russian Federation.
It should be noted that you can find such a medicinal herb in different places, namely:
- on the forest clearings and edges of the forest zone grows flea thyme", creeping thyme and Marshall's thyme;
- on rocky slopes and rocks you can find Ural, Siberian, Crimean, Dagestan and Zhiguli thyme;
- Kyrgyz thyme, small-leaved thyme and Pallas thyme are harvested on sandy and clayey steppe soils.
Chemical composition
Creeping thyme (or thyme) contains up to 0.2-0.6% essential oils. Its main components are carvacrol and thymol. In addition, minerals, bitterness, organic pigments, tannins, gum, as well as triterpenoids: oleanolic and ursolic acids were found in the plant. In small quantities, there areterpenes.
Useful properties of thyme
Essential oils of this plant contain about 55 components. The beneficial properties of thyme are due to the content of methoxylated flavonoids in it, which have a rather high antispasmodic activity. Thyme herb contains a large number of macro- and microelements. It is able to accumulate iron, selenium, molybdenum and boron.
The presented plant has always been highly appreciated by the Slavs. As you know, many peoples had and still have a pagan custom of sacrifice to the gods, which consists in burning dry thyme grass.
One of the names of such a plant is Bogorodsky thyme. This fact is due to the fact that since ancient times in Russia it was customary to decorate icons with this grass on the day of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
The medicinal effect of thyme is due to the presence of essential oils in it. Thus, thyme is used as an expectorant, antimicrobial and fungistatic agent. Preparations made on the basis of this plant increase the secretion of the bronchi, which contributes to the rapid removal of sputum.
In medical practice, thymol and essential oils of thyme are actively used to disinfect the mucous membranes of the pharynx, mouth, pharynx, as well as for fungal skin diseases (for example, with epidermophytosis), to suppress fermentation processes in the intestines and as an anthelmintic. Thus, by purchasing a liquid extract from thyme, it can be used as an emollient and expectorant for coughs (bronchitis or whooping cough). Infusionwith the use of this herb (complete) is used for bronchial asthma, which is complicated by pneumonia or bronchitis.
It should also be noted that the medicinal herbs thyme, thyme and other species of this plant are quite often used for rheumatic diseases, as they exhibit an analgesic and warming effect.
It has long been established that the roots and aerial part of thyme are able to increase the function of the gonads. In eastern countries, it is actively used when the body is depleted as a tonic. In combination with other plants, creeping thyme is used to treat chronic alcoholism, as well as for prostatitis and prostate adenoma.
Where else is thyme used?
Thyme, the photo of which you saw in this article, is used not only for medical purposes, but also in the food and perfume industries. It should also be noted that the leaves of this plant are almost always used as an aromatic spice in cooking. The stems and flowers can be brewed as a healing tea, and essential oils can be used to perfume cosmetic products (for example, when creating toilet soaps, creams, lipsticks, toothpastes, etc.).
Medical applications
Even in ancient times, thyme was considered a divine herb. Thymol, which is isolated from thyme, as well as drugs made on the basis of this plant, is used as an anesthetic, disinfectant and antihelminthic. Powder and decoctions in folk medicine are used to prepare anesthetic compresses forinflammation of the sciatic nerve and sciatica. In the form of an ointment on honey, thyme is able to cleanse the lungs, causing expectoration of phlegm. Among other things, thyme herb promotes proper digestion.
Thyme is very often used to prepare hot baths, which help with nervous diseases, rheumatism, sciatica, skin rashes, diseases of the joints and muscles. As an external agent, infusions are used to rub the body.
Procurement of raw materials
Most often, thyme is used in folk medicine for medicinal purposes. But in order to use this herb to create decoctions and other extracts, it must be properly collected and prepared.
The presented plant should be collected during the period of full flowering. Pulling it out with the root is not recommended. At the very base, the grass must be carefully cut with a sharp knife, and then rinsed in cold water (if necessary) and shaken vigorously. Dry thyme preferably in the shade in the open air. To do this, leaflets with stems should be spread in an even layer of 5-7 centimeters on fabric or paper. In this case, the plant needs to be mixed frequently. After the grass is completely dry, it must be crushed and sieved. This procedure is necessary in order to remove all thick woody stems from the resulting dry mixture. It is recommended to store finished raw materials in a ventilated and dry room for two years.
Recipes
What is dried thyme used for? seedsThis fragrant plant is actively used in cooking. As for dry powder, prepared independently or purchased at a pharmacy, it is most often used for decoctions, infusions and medicinal baths.
- Decoction. To prepare a healing liquid for oral administration, you need to take 10 g of thyme (or 2 large spoons), pour 200 ml of boiling water over them, and then heat in a water bath (for a quarter of an hour), cool and strain. Take the resulting decoction for coughs and colds should be a large spoonful 2-4 times a day.
- Infusion. It is used as an analgesic and sedative for headaches, insomnia, neuralgia and sciatica. For cooking, you should take dry thyme and pour it with 40-degree vodka in a ratio of 1:3. It is advisable to take the infusion in a large spoonful 2-4 times a day.
- Fragrant baths. For cooking, you should take 60 g of raw materials, brew it in a bucket of boiling water, and then strain and pour into the bath. Such water procedures should be taken for skin rashes, neurological diseases and rheumatism.
Contraindications for use
Due to the fact that this plant contains a large amount of thymol, it is contraindicated in duodenal ulcer and stomach ulcers (especially in the acute stage), heart and kidney failure. In addition, this herb is undesirable for pregnant women, as it can easily cause uterine contractions. This is due to the fact that thyme has tonic properties. Long-term use and overdose of thyme-based preparationscause the development of hyperthyroidism.
It is strictly forbidden to treat children under two years of age with herbal medicines! From an overdose, the patient may experience vomiting and nausea. Thus, you can use thyme infusions and decoctions only after a personal consultation with a doctor.
In cooking, you should also not get carried away adding thyme seeds to dishes, because the essential oils contained in the plant can irritate the stomach, liver and kidneys.
