Thyme (thyme, Bogorodskaya herb). Thyme useful properties and contraindications Where thyme grows in Siberia

From time immemorial Thyme was revered as a divine herb, capable of returning to a person not only health, but also life. The plant is very popular among the people, especially among the Slavs. Even during paganism, our ancestors put Thyme on the fires, burning incense to the gods. And now they use thyme herb for fumigating premises, for example, cowsheds, after calving cows, for fumigating milk pots, frightened children are also smoked with it.

Names of Thyme

The people call Thyme also: thyme, Bogorodskaya grass, savory, incense. The Latin name is Thymus vulgaris.

Where does thyme grow

Thyme widely distributed throughout Russia. It grows in the middle lane, and in the Urals, and in Siberia, and especially in the Caucasus.

Thyme can be found in open places: Thyme loves meadows, forest glades, edges, and grows in the mountains.

What does Thyme look like

Thyme (creeping thyme) - a small fragrant shrub up to 30 centimeters high (usually lower because it spreads along the ground).

Thyme stem thin, brown, creeping, woody at the base, often rooting, forming additional roots.

thyme leaves small oval, with white cilia along the edge.

Thyme flowers pink-violet or pink, two-lipped, collected in loose heads.

Thyme you will not confuse with other grass due to its special structure and bright fragrant aroma. Once, you will not confuse its smell with anything.

Thyme flowering time

blooming thyme for a long time - from June to August, giving people their aroma, fragrant tea and healing.

Collection and preparation of Thyme

Gather Thyme like many herbs it is better in the morning in dry weather. Thyme grows in dense creeping bushes, so it is not difficult to find and collect it.

Use flowering sprigs of thyme. Collect carefully so as not to pull out or damage the roots. You can cut it, you can do it with your hands: with one hand hold the stem from below, with the other - sharply break and, as it were, cut. If you accidentally pulled out Thyme with a root - do not throw it away, but plant it in the garden or near the house.

Dried Thyme outdoors in the shade, spreading a 5-7cm layer on paper or cloth, turning occasionally.

Medicinal properties of thyme

About the properties of Thyme Theophrastus and Avicenna also wrote. Modern experts, who claim that "Thyme helps to open up insecure, sensitive, nervous natures; restores strength and awakens emotions ..." (abstract to one of the patented tonics). So feel free to add Bogorodskaya grass to your dishes and tea (knowing the measure of course).

Thyme considered a very strong antiseptic. It also has anti-inflammatory, analgesic, expectorant, bronchodilatory, antispasmodic, mild hypnotic, antihelminthic and many other properties.

Thyme for cough

Thyme effectively treats lung problems. So, with bronchitis or bronchial asthma, thyme infusion will help.

Helps with dry throat and laryngitis collection from Thyme with leaves of Chamomile and Plantain flowers.

Thyme against impotence

in the treatment of prostatitis and impotence Regular use will help. tea with thyme. Can be added periodically St. John's wort, Linden or Rosehip.

Thyme restores strength

Baths with thyme help recover and cleanse the skin. It is enough to boil thyme, filter it and pour the broth into the bathroom. Take baths for 20 minutes.

thyme oil you can stimulate biologically active points, thereby adding energy. You can make your own oil. Why thyme herb should be poured with vegetable or olive oil and insisted for a month. The longer you hold out, the better. Before use, the right amount of oil should be filtered and rubbed clockwise into points on the body.

Thyme - external use

thyme externally used to treat skin non-infectious rashes, psoriasis, wounds, burns;

Thyme is used for rinsing hair anti-dandruff.

Thyme is used with joint pains, rheumatism, bruises and or sprains, baths, wraps, compresses with thyme are done;

thyme tincture copes with joint and muscle pain - it must be used as a rubbing. To prepare the tincture, half a half-liter bottle should be filled with fresh thyme leaves and flowers. Then pour in a couple of glasses of vodka and leave the bottle for 2 weeks to infuse. After that, the tincture is filtered, and the grass is squeezed out. Such a tincture can not only rub the joints, but also take it orally after eating 30-40 drops.

Thyme - Contraindications

The active ingredient in Thyme is thymol. In case of an overdose, thymol can provoke hyperfunction of the thyroid gland. Also, do not take Thyme for pregnant women. And also for those who suffer from kidney diseases, peptic ulcers of the duodenum and stomach.

Application of Thyme

Thyme It is widely used both in official and in folk medicine. The easiest way is to brew tea from thyme(with thyme).

- an extremely healthy and tasty drink. Tea with thyme- a wonderful tool that will help you in the fight against a huge number of ailments. This drink is very good for treating throat problems. You just need to throw a few sprigs of thyme into boiling water. After the tea has brewed and cooled, add honey of your choice and drink this drink little by little throughout the day.

If you feel like tired and broken, overcomes you depression, then this fragrant, tonic drink will come in handy. Thyme drink not only can lead a person out of depression, but is also actively used in rehabilitation after brain injuries.

Thyme tea has a wonderful warming effect in the cold season and just as well quenches thirst when the scorching summer heat is outside the window.

Water infusion of thyme: 1 tablespoon of thyme herb pour 2 cups of boiling water. Infuse for 1 hour, you can in a thermos;

Alcohol tincture of thyme: mix thyme herb with alcohol or vodka in a ratio of 1: 5, tightly close the container with a lid and infuse in a dark place at room temperature for 7-10 days. Then the tincture must be filtered through several layers of gauze or through a filter bag. It is better to store the tincture in a dark place. Reception is only a few drops;

thyme oil (thyme oil) (not to be confused with thyme essential oil!): Pour 100 g of chopped fresh herbs with 0.5 liters of refined oil (preferably olive oil), then leave the mixture in the dark in a closed glass container for 14 days;

Thyme Powder: Finely grind the dried thyme herb in a mortar to a powdery consistency. Store in a closed glass container.

Seasoning from Thyme

Thyme has a pleasant strong smell, sharp, strongly spicy bitter taste.

As a spice, fragrant, vitamin-rich thyme leaves are used. It improves the taste, informs the aroma, gives bitterness. remains one of the leading spices in baking. Improves the smell and taste of vegetable dishes, especially potatoes and cabbage.

Thyme how seasoning for fatty foods not only significantly improves and enriches the taste, but also promotes its digestion.

Thyme Pairs with egg dishes and cheeses. Undeniable is its popularity in smoked foods, no other spice enhances the flavor of lentil, pea and bean soup like thyme. Fresh and dried thyme is used for pickling cucumbers, tomatoes, squash.

Thyme leaves added to salads, borscht, vegetable soups, chicken broths. Cheeses are flavored with thyme, it is added to sauces, marinades, fried dishes (potatoes, mushrooms, eggplants), added to spicy mixtures, put when pickling vegetables (cucumbers, tomatoes, etc.), healing teas and aromatic drinks are prepared with it .

Thyme - interesting facts

Thyme, unlike most antibiotics, is one of the few herbs to which modern microbes cannot develop resistance.

The Slavs used (yut) Thyme to appeal to the Gods. To do this, flowering twigs are thrown into the fire, look at the smoke, inhale it. Thyme helps to establish a connection with the Gods and ancestors. Thyme is used in many rituals both among the Slavs and other peoples.

Until now, there is a belief in Ireland that with the help of Thyme you can see fairies. To do this, you just need to wash your eyes with dew from a thyme bush at dawn after Walpurgis Night.

long time Thyme was a symbol of military prowess, male power. Thyme baths and thyme tea were a popular pre-battle morale booster among Roman legionaries and Scottish highlanders. In the Middle Ages, noble knights wore scarves with embroidered thyme leaves.

Thyme is a perennial plant from the Lamiaceae family. It is used in cooking and medicine. In this article we will outline the features of the medicinal properties of the plant, methods of collection, processing, preparation and contraindications.

Thyme is also known as thyme or creeping thyme. Distributed on the territory of the CIS countries in the middle lane and southern areas. Also seen in Asia, some Mediterranean countries and the Caucasus. He likes open edges and sunny color, so it is difficult to find him in forests.

plant photo

The plant looks like a wild flower. Small blue, lilac or blue flowers set it apart from the rest of the grass on the edge. Photo for reference.

Thyme (thyme) has long been a favorite plant among the people. It can be found in many places, so people collect it themselves for the preparation of medicines and culinary additives. Look at the photo before collecting, so as not to be mistaken.

Useful substances in thyme

In this section, we decided to consider the chemical composition of the plant in order to understand how it can be effectively used in traditional and regular medicine. Knowing the constituent substances is also useful for those who have individual intolerances and allergies.

We will highlight only the dominant components, since the full composition will be very large and not informative. The basis of the benefits of thyme lies in organic acids, and we will start with them.

• Complex of organic acids. The plant contains ursolic acid, which improves muscle tone and speeds up metabolism. Also in its composition you can find caffeic acid, it reduces stress and gives a person cheerfulness. Oleanolic acid accelerates the complex cleansing of the body.
• Vitamin C . It is also called ascorbic acid, it stimulates the development of immunity, fights the penetration of viruses into the body.
• Minerals and salts. Normalize the work of the intestines and the gastrointestinal tract.
• Timol. It is an element of thyme essential oil, has a strong antibacterial effect.
• Flavonoids. They strengthen the walls of blood vessels, relieve blood plaques, and normalize blood pressure.

Due to this rich composition, the plant is actively used in medicine. In the next section, we will touch upon the medicinal properties of this medicinal plant.

Medicinal properties

A rich composition in itself can do little to attract an ordinary lover of natural medicine. Much more important is how these components accumulate and help a person cope with ailments. Here we will touch on the applied benefits of this plant in more detail.

Note that thyme is used not only in medicine, the absence of symptoms of diseases does not mean that you cannot brew tea with thyme, for example, or add it to a confectionery masterpiece.

• Reduces pain. A decoction is often advised to those who do not want to take pills for headaches or stomach pains.
• Cleanses the stomach of toxins. Tea is useful to drink for people who periodically consume alcohol and tobacco.
• Fights viruses and mild strains of bacteria. This happens due to organic acids, including vitamin C.
• Expectorant properties. Thyme, along with sage, is great for treating a sore throat.
• Calms the nerves. In stressful situations, it is useful to drink tea with thyme, it returns the sobriety of the mind, normalizes the functions of the central nervous system, gives strength to implement plans.

Each person on this list will find something important and necessary for themselves. But it is worth highlighting the unique properties of thyme to treat narrowly targeted male, female and children's diseases.

• For men . Many middle-aged men suffer from sexual weakness or dysfunction. The plant normalizes the work of blood and its flow to the genitals. The course is not fast, it will be necessary to replace classic black tea with tea with natural thyme within 2-3 months.
• For women . Women who experience severe pain during menstruation should also pay attention to thyme essential oil. The plant, as noted earlier, actively affects the blood and nervous system.
• For kids . Small children under 7 years of age do not sleep well, the point is physical growth and hormone activity. Tea with this herb before going to bed will give the child a calm and healthy sleep.

The medicinal properties of this plant will reveal themselves even better if you turn to the recipes of the national health resort, which we’ll talk about right now, fix a few recipes for yourself, they will come in handy.

Application in traditional medicine

Folk remedies differ from regular industrial preparations in that their formulation was developed not by pharmaceutical scientists, but by ordinary people who once knew everything about herbs.

When there were no pharmacies and clinics, people were forced to look for ways to get rid of diseases. And they found them. For many centuries, methods of treatment have been passed from mouth to mouth, reach us and end up on the Internet.

• With a cold. Organic acids act as antibiotics and antiseptics, they cope with bacteria, suppress viral activity and the spread of fungi.
• For constipation/diarrhea. Creeping thyme regulates the digestive tract. A decoction from the plant does not strengthen or thin the stool, it allows the body to come to normal functioning on its own.
• For the treatment of headache. Not all of us prefer to take pills. Tea with thyme regulates pressure, relieves a person of a headache, and not just once, but for a long time.
• Against insomnia. Thyme, as mentioned earlier, calms the nervous system and allows you to fall asleep even with severe stress, you can sometimes drink during pregnancy.
• To maintain immunity. There is nothing more important for our health than immunity. If it is not there, then diseases will pour in, as if from a cornucopia. Any recipes - decoctions, infusions, teas - will help support it.

You can argue endlessly about the effectiveness of certain methods, but it was folk remedies that allowed humanity to survive at a time when they were dying from simple infections. Let's look at how our ancestors used the beneficial properties of the plant and follow their example. It definitely won't get worse.

Folk recipes

The recipes that we provide you with in the collections have proven to be simple and healthy. Of course, there are many more of them, each individual grandmother has a recipe for a decoction or tincture that no one else knows about.

Folk recipes change over the years, their preparation is simplified, some components are replaced by others. Traditional medicine is a living organism that does not give right and wrong answers. Everything is tested by trial and error, everyone will find their own recipe.

Making herbal teas is a simple and straightforward way to introduce yourself to healing drinks. This is the place to start if you are new to herbalism.

1. Boil half a liter of water. It is better to take filtered water, not from a tap.
2. Add 2-3 tablespoons of chopped dried thyme to it. This is a little more than what black tea would take, but the tea has a slightly stronger flavor concentration.
3. Leave to brew for 6-10 minutes. This time will be enough for the thyme to give the water all the useful substances in the composition.
4. Drink like it's tea. You can drink with sugar, with sweets, with anything. But remember that sugar in excess amounts harms the metabolism.

Just because the recipe is extremely simple does not mean that thyme tea is a bad or ineffective product. Brew, enjoy the taste, the benefits of such tea will be noticeable very soon.

Infusion

The infusion takes a little longer to prepare, but not a bit more difficult. This is already a completely medicinal product, so you do not need to drink it with confectionery.

1. Pour water at room temperature into a half-liter container.
2. Add 4-5 tablespoons (with a slide) of dried thyme.
3. Leave the infusion in a dry place where direct sunlight does not penetrate.
4. After 2 weeks, you can drink in small amounts daily. Recommended for the fight against diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.

The infusion is a product that has not been subjected to heat treatment, therefore, it has retained its unique qualities by 100%.

Decoction

Decoctions should be used to fight infectious diseases. The essence is the same as that of the infusion, only the preparation of a decoction involves boiling water.

1. Pour one liter of water into a saucepan.
2. Pour 5 tablespoons of thyme into the water.
3. Bring everything to a boil to make a decoction.
4. As soon as the water boils, remove the pan from the heat and cool in natural conditions to a temperature comfortable for drinking.

In fact, a decoction is a cross between tea and infusion. Useful properties are partially lost, but due to cooking, the medicine becomes more concentrated. It is the ideal treatment for colds and flu.

Alcohol tincture

Alcohol tinctures are separate medicines with their own specifics of consumption. Tinctures with alcohol are contraindicated in children and persons suffering from alcohol dependence. But for everyone else, this alcohol infusion is an excellent cure for SARS and other infections.

1. We take half a liter of alcohol or vodka. It is preferable to take medical alcohol.
2. It is necessary to pour as much dry thyme into alcohol as possible. The bigger, the better.
3. The finished substance must be left for 3-4 weeks so that the alcohol absorbs the benefits of the plant.
4. When the time is right, strain the infusion from the leaves.
5. You need to take no more than one tablespoon at a time, you can add to tea, coffee, and other drinks.

Alcohol tincture is distinguished by the maximum concentration of the chemical composition of the plant. Alcohol is a heating agent. Together, we get an antiviral drug that will give odds to pharmacy drugs.

Pharmaceutical medicines based on thyme

Pharmaceutical companies do not lose sight of good natural herbs. Therefore, in pharmacies you will find a lot of medicines for the treatment of diseases, and they will contain thyme or essential oil of the plant.

Chemical manipulations cannot create a complete analogue of a natural plant, so pharmacists do not try to reinvent the wheel, but use what nature has invented.

• Codelac broncho with thyme. A drug designed to combat dry cough.
• Pertussin. Popular cough syrup with expectorant effect.
• Licorice syrup with thyme (Kashlestopy). Another remedy for coughs and diseases of the upper respiratory tract.
• thyme essential oil. The strongest concentrate that can be used to treat any respiratory disease. Application: inhalations, compresses, tea additive.
• Dry herb thyme. If you do not have the opportunity or desire to independently collect and dry the grass, then you can ready-made collection at the pharmacy. It's just industrial-dried thyme with no added chemicals. It is no worse and no better than what you can build yourself.

Industrial medicine focuses on the treatment of coughs, but practically ignores other areas of application. Perhaps scientists have not yet come to objective conclusions about the treatment of the gastrointestinal tract, nerves or erectile dysfunction.

Correct workpiece

If you decide to prepare yourself several bunches of this grass for the winter, then you will be interested to know how to do it effectively, how not to spoil the entire crop. We will step by step analyze the procedure for collecting, drying and storing.

If you are worried that something may not work out, then you are mistaken. It is enough to follow the elementary instructions, not to invent what has already been invented. Compliance with the algorithm is a guarantee of success.

Collection

In fact, collecting thyme is not as difficult as not ruining it. Do not cut the plant at the root, this will disrupt its growth and assimilation. Take care of nature and she will love you back.

1. Collection is carried out from mid-May to late August, during the flowering period.
2. The more flowers on the plant, the more fragrant and healthy it is.
3. If bees are flying around, then the collection time is perfect, the plant is a honey plant.
4. Collect thyme should be in the afternoon, when all the dew subsides.

Here is such a simple assembly instruction. It is not difficult to follow it, there should not be any problems. It remains only to find a clearing where there will be a lot of it, and you can choose the best grass.

Drying

You can also dry your collection without problems. There are only three recommendations that must be strictly followed.

1. Do not dry in the sun, properties are lost.
2. Stir while drying. This way you won't get rotten herbs.
3. Drying should be carried out in a dry room without condensation. Rotting is the biggest problem in this process.

If you follow these three postulates, then as a result you will get an aromatic herb from which you will prepare teas, infusions and decoctions.

Storage

1. It is preferable to store thyme in bunches, so it is stored better.
2. Store in a place where no one can crush it. Dry leaves can turn into dust if handled roughly.
3. Try to use everything that you have prepared in a year. Fresh tea from the plant is better than a year old.

Ready dry collection has a delicious aroma, which intensifies when rubbed. It's time to talk about sad things, about contraindications.

Contraindications for use

Thyme does not have as many contraindications as industrial pharmaceutical preparations. However, there are strict conditions under which thyme should not be eaten or treated with it. Read this list carefully, otherwise the wonderful medicinal herb will leave you with only unpleasant impressions.

Medications work differently for each person. In any case, keep track of your condition after eating thyme. If you start to feel itchy, hot, or chilly, then this herb is not for you.

• Do not use the herb for kidney and liver failure. Thyme has a slight diuretic effect, removes moisture from the body, and can provoke the deposition of salts.
• With diseases of the thyroid gland.
• With heart disease. Thyme actively affects the blood; if the heart does not function correctly, such an effect can lead to arrhythmia and stroke.
• With high acidity of the gallbladder and stomach. The acids in the plant will enhance the effect.

In general, there are not many contraindications, for the majority of people there are no barriers to eating thyme. However, it is always better to play it safe and study the likely consequences.

Video: herbalist talks about the properties of thyme

We invite you to watch this video. This is not just a collection of information from open sources, you will be presented by an experienced herbalist who has been dealing with herbs for a long time. This is his life and his passion.

Sailors Sergey Viktorovich will tell the audience about Bogorodsk grass (this is another name for thyme), about how people used it many years ago. You will learn about health, about Orthodoxy, about the beneficial properties of the plant from this video.

Conclusion

Thyme is a storehouse of useful trace elements. With it, you will carry out the prevention of viral, bacterial diseases. Come up with your own recipes, experiment, for this there is traditional medicine.

If you liked the article, you found something useful for your own health in it, then share it on social networks so that other people also discover the benefits of thyme. Write in the comments about your experience with this plant, what are your favorite recipes? Why are they helping you? We read the comments and then share our readers' experiences in our magazine. Be healthy!

Thyme - its other name is thyme or Bogorodskaya grass - a fragrant medicinal plant that looks like a small creeping shrub that blooms with small pinkish-purple flowers. The ancient Greeks, Romans and Slavs revered the beneficial properties of thyme, considering it a powerful natural medicine endowed with divine power. Mentions of him are found in the writings of Avicenna, Roman soldiers took baths with thyme to get vigor and vitality.

Since ancient times, our ancestors used grass for pagan rituals, fumigating rooms, making decoctions and infusions from it, which help in the treatment of many diseases. It was believed that the smoke from thyme helps to ward off evil spirits, cure fear in children, protect against damage and the evil eye. The name “Bogorodskaya grass” was given to thyme because of the tradition existing in Rus' on the day of the Assumption of the Mother of God with bunches of this grass to decorate the icon of the Mother of God.

Thyme grows almost throughout Russia, there are more than 30 of its species. But in the USA, Canada and Europe it is grown on purpose. In addition, thyme is an excellent honey plant, for which beekeepers especially love it. But this is not all the useful properties of thyme - fragrant herb is widely used in cooking. Dried herbs are added to soups, sauces, minced meat, and fried fish. Thyme can not only brighten the taste of dishes, but also improve digestion. In Greece, Spain and Turkey, thyme is used as an essential seasoning for pickling olives. Thyme tea combined with other herbs and honey is an excellent folk remedy for the treatment of colds.

Useful properties of thyme

The range of preventive and therapeutic properties of thyme is extremely wide. Let's dwell on the main beneficial effects of the plant:

• Thanks to its bronchodilatory and expectorant effects, thyme helps fight coughs, colds and respiratory problems;

• Thyme decoctions contribute to an increase in overall vitality, therefore they are recommended for beriberi, chronic fatigue and loss of strength;

• Thyme helps in the treatment of diseases of the gastrointestinal nature of any complexity. It is able to stop the process of "fermentation" in the intestines and improve digestion;

• The plant is used for muscle pain, bruises, rheumatism, sciatica, neuritis, neuralgia and various joint diseases;

• Thyme infusions have a calming effect, so they help fight headaches, migraines and insomnia;

• Thyme helps maintain men's health: normalizes the functioning of the genitourinary system and fights prostatitis;

• Decoctions are used for acne, rashes, wounds on the face, as well as for the treatment of oily skin;

• Infusions from the plant are recommended for toothache, inflammation of the mouth, throat problems and hoarseness.

Due to the high content of essential oil, thyme is used not only in medicine, but also in the cosmetic field. In particular, thyme is present in numerous remedies for repairing naturally damaged or brittle hair and damaged nails.

Contraindications to the use of thyme

All means have not only positive properties, but also a number of contraindications. The thyme is no exception. Therefore, before starting treatment, consult a doctor for advice. It is also worth knowing that a positive effect will be achieved only with moderate use. With an overdose of thyme, problems with the thyroid gland and blood pressure can occur. It is not recommended to use this plant:

• during pregnancy;
• duodenal ulcer and stomach;
• kidney and liver diseases;
• patients with atrial fibrillation;
• with cardiosclerosis;
• with atherosclerosis of cerebral vessels.

Of course, in rare cases, exceptions are possible, for example, pregnant women are allowed to use thyme just before childbirth, without fear for the child. It will help to increase the tone of the uterus and facilitate the birth of the baby.

Thyme in folk medicine

Thyme is widely used to treat many disorders and diseases.

Organs of vision:

• Conjunctivitis. Pour a tablespoon of chopped thyme with a glass of boiling water. Infuse for 45 minutes under the lid, strain through cheesecloth several times. Moisten cotton pads with infusion, put on eyes, hold for 15 minutes. The course of treatment is several days, 2-3 times a day;

• Cataract. Grind 100 grams of dried thyme herb into powder. Mix with 500 ml of natural honey. Simmer in a water bath over low heat, stirring occasionally, 60 minutes. Take the remedy inside at bedtime, 1 teaspoon daily. Store the mixture in the refrigerator.

Brain, vessels and heart:

• To improve memory. Pour a tablespoon of thyme with a glass of boiling water, put in a water bath, simmer for 15 minutes. Lubricate the head with a decoction of thyme several times a week;

• With a stroke. 8 tablespoons of thyme flowers pour 500 ml of vodka. Infuse for 2 weeks in a glass container in a dark place. Take three times a day for 35 drops. You can rub tincture on numb parts of the body;

• With hypertension. Mix 3 parts of thyme, 1 - chamomile, 2 each - fireweed, oregano. 15 grams of the collection pour 500 ml of boiling water. Infuse for 40 minutes, strain. Drink three times a day for a quarter cup.

For the digestive system:

• from dysbacteriosis. Two glasses of water pour 1 tbsp. thyme, boil and turn off the fire. Insist for 1.5 hours, wrapping the pan. Strain and take 40 minutes before meals twice a day for a glass. Duration of treatment - 2 months;

• From gastritis with low acidity. Pour 10 grams of grass with 200 ml of boiling water, insist under the lid for half an hour. Strain, take two to three times a day, 2 tablespoons. Against impotence: 1 tablespoon of thyme flowers pour a glass of boiling water. Cover the pan with a lid, wrap with a towel, leave for 30 minutes. Take half an hour before meals up to six times a day.

Colds, SARS, bronchitis, influenza:

• From cough. Pour 1 tablespoon of thyme with a glass of boiling water, insist in a thermos for 2 hours. Strain, take after meals 3-4 times a day for a tablespoon, for children 1 teaspoon;

• To improve immunity. Mix 1 tablespoon of thyme infusion in equal parts with honey and aloe juice. Drink this medicine 3 times a day, regardless of food intake;

• From bronchitis. Mix 3 tablespoons of thyme, 1 tbsp. mints and oregano. Pour 500 ml of boiling water, insist overnight. Take the next day instead of tea several times a day.

From alcoholism:

15 grams of dried thyme pour 500 ml of boiling water. Simmer in a water bath for 15 minutes, strain. Add water to a volume of 500 ml. Take 50 - 70 grams with a glass of vodka several times a day. The duration of treatment is 1 - 2 weeks. Due to an overdose of thymol, nausea and vomiting may begin, after which an aversion to alcohol will appear.

For the nervous system:

• With neuralgia. Pour 1 tablespoon of thyme with a glass of boiling water. Take three times a day for a third of a glass. Against insomnia, convulsions, neuroses. Pour 2 tablespoons of thyme with a glass of boiling water, insist under the lid for half an hour. Strain the infusion, drink two tbsp. morning and afternoon. The last dose is a quarter cup 2 hours before bedtime;

• Calming decoction. Mix in equal parts knotweed, hops, oregano, thyme, initial letter, Chernobyl, yasnotka. Pour 15 grams of the collection with 500 ml of hot water, leave for half an hour, wrapping the pan. Strain, take a decoction in the morning and evening for 50 ml. 2 hours before bedtime, drink half a glass of decoction.

For the treatment of joints and muscles:

• From rheumatism. Pour 200 grams of thyme with 2 liters of boiling water. Infuse for two hours, strain the infusion. Add the infusion to the bath, take it for 15 minutes 1 time in two days;

• From sciatica and paralysis. Pour 10 grams of dried thyme with a glass of boiling water, leave for 15 minutes. Take three times a day for 20 ml of infusion.

For the oral cavity:

• With periodontal disease, gingivitis. Two tablespoons of thyme pour 220 ml of boiling water, leave for an hour. Rinse the mouth with infusion several times a day. From bad breath. Pour 15 grams of thyme herb with a glass of boiling water. Infuse for 25 minutes, strain. Rinse your mouth with infusion after eating or when you smell bad breath. Store for more than a day;

• With stomatitis. Mix 2 drops each of thyme, geranium, mint essential oils, add 4 drops of lemon oil and 1 teaspoon of cognac. Pour the mixture into a glass of warm water, rinse your mouth 2-3 times a day.

Thyme in cosmetology

Thyme is used in the production of formulations for the treatment and strengthening of hair. It is only necessary to rub 3 drops of thyme essential oil into the head during washing, then after holding for a while (15-20 minutes), rinse off. You can also apply a hair mask, which consists of a few drops of lemon juice and thyme oil and burdock oil. Such procedures will help you restore the structure of the hair and give it shine. They need to be done 1-2 times a week.

You can get rid of acne by adding a few drops of essential oil to a lotion or cream.

The healing properties of thyme are also used for massage of the neck, face and body. It is necessary to drop a couple of drops into the massage cream, and daytime fatigue will immediately go away, and relaxation of the whole body will come completely.

The properties of thyme are also used in aromatherapy. Inhaling the vapors of this plant, the headache and fatigue will immediately disappear.

Thyme herb is also found in many elixirs, such as mouthwashes, to remove bad breath. You can just chew on a leaf of thyme and the bad smell will immediately disappear.

It is also added to creams and ointments for the legs, hands and face.

Collection and preparation of thyme

In Russia, thyme is most often found in the European part, especially in the Krasnodar Territory, the Caucasus, the Urals, Transbaikalia and in some parts of Western Siberia. The plant grows in a variety of conditions: in sandy areas, in coniferous forests, on southern rocks, in pine forests, on forest edges. You can identify thyme by its appearance - it always grows massively, forming voluminous tufts.

Thyme blooms for a fairly long time - usually from May to September, with slight adjustments depending on the weather conditions of a particular growing area. All the most valuable properties of thyme appear even at the start of flowering, so it is recommended to collect and dry the plants during this period.

When collecting, you need to use scissors or a sharp knife: use a tool to cut off the top of the shoots with leaves and flowers.

Dry thyme as follows:

• prepare a sieve or tray, cover it with paper and evenly distribute thyme on it;
• place the plant either in a ventilated room, or on the street, but under a canopy;
• dry thyme for 3-5 days, turning regularly and protecting from moisture.

The leaves will tell you that drying is complete: they will darken and become a little tough. After this, the plants need to be sieved. The resulting raw materials are packed either in linen bags or in glass containers. It should be stored exclusively in a dry place.

Thyme or is a unique fragrant plant, the beneficial properties of which were noted by the ancient Greeks: it was believed that it was endowed with divine power, therefore it is the most powerful natural medicine. He has such a reputation today: the shrub is still used to prevent and treat many ailments. What problems does thyme help with? What are the contraindications for the plant? Where does it grow in Russia and what are the rules for collecting and storing thyme? Next, we will not only answer the indicated questions, but also show in the photo what thyme looks like during the flowering period, when it carries the greatest value.

Thyme is a perennial medicinal plant with smallish pinkish-purple flowers collected in single inflorescences. Thyme contains many valuable elements that determine its beneficial properties.

An important component of the plant is an essential oil with a large amount of phenols: carvacrol and thymol. This pair of elements has antimicrobial and disinfectant properties, therefore it has an extremely detrimental effect on the coccal flora, pathogenic fungi and various harmful microorganisms.

Among natural acids:

• Folic - promotes the development of new blood cells. Especially active acid produces leukocytes, erythrocytes and platelets.
• Ursolovaya - has anti-inflammatory and antitumor effects. Promptly restores collagen fibers. In addition, the acid is also known for its cardiostimulating properties.
• Oleanolic - differs in healing, anti-inflammatory and general tonic effects.

flowering thyme

It is impossible not to mention also such useful vitamins as retinol, vitamin C and vitamin K.

In addition, thyme contains a lot of healing micro and macro elements:

• potassium - controls blood pressure and pulse;
• manganese - provides antioxidant protection of the body;
• iron is vital for the production of red blood cells.

Phosphorus, calcium, zinc, magnesium, copper, zinc are presented in a smaller volume in thyme. All of them have a complex effect on the human body, affecting literally every system.

Useful properties of thyme

The range of preventive and therapeutic properties of thyme is extremely wide. Let's dwell on the main beneficial effects of the plant:

Due to the high content of essential oil, thyme is used not only in medicine, but also in the cosmetic field. In particular, thyme is present in numerous remedies for repairing naturally damaged or brittle hair and damaged nails.

Thyme contraindications

Before using thyme for a particular therapeutic purpose, do not be too lazy to familiarize yourself with its contraindications. Of course, there are very few of them, but reinsurance will not be superfluous for anyone. So, when is thyme not recommended for use?

First of all, thyme is prohibited during pregnancy. The fact is that it stimulates uterine contractions, which can provoke a miscarriage.

Important! Thyme is useful for women after pregnancy - when breastfeeding: it activates milk production and acts as a prevention of bleeding. But even here you need to be careful: before starting a course of taking tea with thyme, a young mother is advised to consult with her doctor.

Thyme helps slow blood clotting, so it is contraindicated in people with already slow clotting, as well as those who are taking anticoagulant drugs.

Thyme is not recommended for chronic liver, thyroid and kidney problems. In addition, thyme cannot be used in case of individual intolerance to the plant, otherwise redness and rashes on the skin cannot be avoided.

Rules for the collection, drying and storage of thyme

In Russia, thyme is most often found in the European part, especially in the Krasnodar Territory, the Caucasus, the Urals, Transbaikalia and in some parts of Western Siberia. The plant grows in a variety of conditions: in sandy areas, in coniferous forests, on southern rocks, in pine forests, on forest edges. You can identify thyme by its appearance - it always grows massively, forming voluminous tufts.

You need to dry thyme in the shade

Thyme blooms for a fairly long time - usually from May to September, with slight adjustments depending on the weather conditions of a particular growing area. All the most valuable properties of thyme appear even at the start of flowering, so it is recommended to collect and dry the plants during this period.

When collecting, you need to use scissors or a sharp knife: use a tool to cut off the top of the shoots with leaves and flowers.

Advice. Do not pull out the plant directly from the root and do not break it - this will provoke a quick death of the shrub.

Dry thyme as follows:

• prepare a sieve or tray, cover it with paper and evenly distribute thyme on it;
• place the plant either in a ventilated room, or on the street, but under a canopy;
• dry thyme for 3-5 days, turning regularly and protecting from moisture.

The leaves will tell you that drying is complete: they will darken and become a little tough. After this, the plants need to be sieved. The resulting raw materials are packed either in linen bags or in glass containers. It should be stored exclusively in a dry place.
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So, what we have: thyme is a fragrant, beautiful and incredibly useful shrub with a wide range of actions: from the prevention of colds to the treatment of problems of the gastrointestinal tract. If you have no contraindications to the use of thyme, consider that your personal first-aid kit has been enriched at a time with a whole range of useful substances for literally all occasions.

Thyme is a fragrant medicinal plant, belongs to the Lamiaceae family. The official name for thyme is creeping thyme. The shrub is used in folk medicine to treat diseases. The article discusses what thyme looks like, where to collect a wild plant, where thyme grows in Russia, methods of reproduction at home, useful properties.

Description of thyme

Early thyme, or thyme, is a small, perennial shrub. The plant grows up to 30 cm in height. The size and height of the shrub depends on the conditions where it grows.

How to recognize thyme:

• The trunk is rich red;
• Twigs are thin, small oval leaves are located on them;
• The leaves have thin white hairs;
• The base of the leaf is light gray in color, the top is colored dark green or bluish;
• The top of the stem is strewn with small lilac-pink flowers;
• The fruit is presented in the form of a box, which contains 4 small spherical black nuts;
• The thyme aroma is spicy with a slight bitterness, pleasant, extending at least 3 m. The aroma is strong due to the high concentration of essential oils.

Knowing what wild thyme looks like, you can stock up on medicinal herbs for the future. Very often, inexperienced herbalists confuse thyme and oregano. In appearance and aroma, they are similar, but the healing effects are different, each has individual contraindications. Therefore, it is important to learn to distinguish plants from each other. The difference lies in the color and shape of the flowers and leaves.

Thyme - flowering

A useful plant grows almost throughout the Russian Federation, it is unpretentious to soil and weather conditions. In Europe, the USA, Canada, it is specially propagated.

Mountain thyme is a good honey plant. It is used in cooking, steamed delicious and healthy tea, added to sauces. Thyme has found wide application in folk medicine, the benefits of herbs have been used since ancient times.

Where can you collect thyme

On the territory of Russia, most thyme grows in the Crimea, Tatarstan, the Krasnodar region, the Caucasus and the Urals. You can also find a fragrant plant in the Moscow region, Siberia, Leningrad or Nizhny Novgorod regions. Thyme is an unpretentious crop and can be found in almost all open sunny areas. Where does thyme grow:

• At the forest edge;
• In meadows and fields;
• On the steppe area;
• In dry forests;
• Near the foot of the mountains;
• In boron sands;
• On open sunny slopes.

The plant is harvested twice during the summer. The first collection is recommended during the flowering period (July), the second time, when the fruit ovaries appear (the third decade of August).

On a note. The most favorable time for collection is the first period when the plant blooms. At this time, thyme has the most powerful healing properties.

On a large plantation, collections are carried out with special equipment (mower); for self-collection, it is necessary to prepare garden shears, pruners.

The branches are cut along with the flowers, 15 cm recede from the surface of the earth. If you cut the plant at the root or pull it out of the ground, then there will be no more harvest on this plantation.

Thyme is a plant from the Red Book. The area of ​​growth is sharply reduced every year, but it is still collected for personal use, most often dried thyme is used to treat diseases.

Types of thyme

There are more than 200 plant species. Grow in the garden:

• Thyme ordinary. A small shrub grows up to 50 cm in height. Purple flowers, green foliage. In mid-July, the peak of flowering is observed. In the first month of autumn, a plant is harvested for medical purposes;
• creeping thyme(creeping red thyme). Perennial shrub. The size of an adult plant reaches 15 cm. It has an excellent ground cover property. Flowers are pink. The flowering period is in the middle of summer. In September, fruits are formed. There are varieties of creeping thyme with white flowers. The fragrant herb is used in folk medicine, in cooking, as a spice, in pharmaceuticals. The plant grows well in soil consisting of sand and lime;
• Thyme lemon-scented(thyme type archers gold). The plant grows up to 30 cm in height. Purple flowers bloom in the first month of summer. Gardeners attribute this species to the most beautiful, but the least resistant to frosty winters. Grown for ornamental purposes and used in cooking, as a spice for dishes.

Also in the garden plots you can find various varieties and types of thyme:

• Flea thyme;
• Alpine thyme, queen;
• Thyme magic red;
• creeping thyme (thymus serpyllum);
• marshall thyme;
• Thyme silver queen (silver queen);
• thyme lemon sambesi;
• thyme goldy (golden);
• Medicinal thyme early carpet red;
• Thyme is a lemon-scented type of aureus.

Growing thyme at home

A useful plant in natural nature grows in open sunny areas. When breeding thyme in a garden plot, the gardener does not need to make efforts to grow a shrub.

The place for thyme should be chosen well-lit, the soil should be fertile, with a neutral level of acidity.

thyme or thyme

Planting seeds in open ground is carried out in the spring. The plant will have time to take root over the summer and survive the cold winter. If the winter is snowy, then the plant feels good under a layer of snow. In a frosty winter without snow, it is recommended to cover the young shrub with a layer of mulch. When the bush begins to grow, it must be thinned out.

Reproduction methods

Grass can be propagated in several ways:

• Seeds. This method allows you to grow medicinal herbs at home, in a greenhouse or in an open area. Seeds are soaked for 10 hours by placing them in warm water. Landing should begin in May. The first shoots should appear in 3-4 weeks. If the seedlings are planned to be planted in the garden, then the seeds should be planted in a container in March;
• The division of the bush. In the spring, a healthy bush is dug up, the root system is divided into the required number of seedlings and planted in pre-prepared places. The method is not simple, since it is necessary to work carefully so as not to damage the roots;
• cuttings. Thyme can be propagated by cuttings throughout the growing season. It is necessary to separate the cutting and plant it in the sand. It will be necessary to maintain high humidity, to create the effect of a greenhouse. Cuttings grow for 1 month, after which they can be transplanted to a new place. The soil where thyme grows should be moderately moist for the first weeks after planting for permanent residence.

thyme seeds

In a city apartment, thyme can be grown in a container on a lighted windowsill. If seeds are planted, the plant will begin to bloom only in the second year. When planting finished seedlings, flowers can be collected in the first year of life.

Care rules

Thyme does not require painstaking care. But there are a few tips to keep in mind when planting and growing healthy herbs:

• In order for the young roots of the plant to develop and not rot, it is necessary to make good soil drainage;
• For thyme to grow in width, cut off the top of the stem;
• The first season after planting, it is desirable to clear the soil of weeds and mulch to prevent weeds from growing. Even small weeds can harm the plant;
• You can mulch with small pebbles, gravel, gravel;
• The soil is lightly fed with compost or horn flour, minerals must be added in May or June;
• The area where greenery grows can be sprinkled with ash, this will reduce the acidity of the soil, which is favorable for a flowering plant;
• Watering should be moderate. In dry summers, it is enough to water 1-2 times a week; in rainy weather, remove watering;
• The plant rarely gets sick and is attacked by pests.

Simple rules for plant care will allow the gardener to grow fragrant plantations on the site.

Beneficial features

Thyme is used not only in traditional medicine, but also in pharmaceuticals for the preparation of medicines. It is used to treat diseases and as a means of strengthening the immune system.

It is considered an effective medicine for bronchial diseases. For the treatment of a prolonged cough, a decoction or infusion is prepared from the grass.

It is prescribed for problems with the gastrointestinal tract (heartburn, gastritis, indigestion, diarrhea, flatulence), for gynecological diseases.

Thyme decoction helps with toothache

The juices of the plant contain bactericidal substances, so decoctions help with stomatitis or toothache.

Compresses and lotions with infusion of thyme are effective for bruises, rheumatism.

In cosmetology, thyme is used to fight acne and dandruff.

On a note. Essential oils have a sedative property, so fragrant thyme tea helps with headaches, depression. If you spread grass in the apartment or make a cloth bag with thyme, then harmful microorganisms and air pollutants will disappear, and the house will have a pleasant smell of fragrant grass. Essential oils repel moths.

Thyme, harvested in the field or grown in the garden, is equally beneficial to human health. Growing medicinal herbs at home will not cause trouble for the gardener. Its beautiful decorative appearance will beautify the garden, filling the meadows with a spicy aroma.