In this article we will talk in detail about what a thyme plant (or thyme) is. In addition, you will learn about its useful properties and methods of application.
General information
Creeping thyme, or thyme, is a perennial aromatic shrub that forms small turfs. The plant belongs to a complex genus of the clamaceae family. This is an essential oil herb that contains phenolic compounds such as carvacrol, thymol and others.
Biological description
Before you talk about the beneficial properties of this plant, you should describe it. Thyme grass ( creeping thyme ) is a numerous stalks creeping on the ground. In places, such a plant gives additional roots. It should also be noted that if in the upper part it is branched, then in the lower part it is lignified, with numerous ascending generative and vegetative branches. Thyme leaves are opposite, oval, small, lanceolate or ovate, whole-marginal and short-leaved. In the magnifying glass, you can well see the noticeable essential oil glands. The flowers of such a plant are small, purple-red and two-lipped. They grow at the ends of twigs. Thyme blooms (photos are presented in this article) in June-July, and bears fruit only in August.
Title
The presented plant has many names. It is called temyan (through the letter "e"), creeping thyme, Bogorodskaya grass, pine forest, spawn, cobweed, swan, lemon ducky, muhopal, thyme, incense, chebarka, etc.
Spread
Thyme genus includes several hundred plant species that are distributed practically throughout 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:
- flea thyme, creeping and thyme Marshall grows on forest glades and edges of the forest zone;
- on stony slopes and rocks you can find thyme Ural, Siberian, Crimean, Dagestan and Zhiguli;
- on sandy and clay steppe soils, they collect Kyrgyz thyme, leafleaf and Pallas thyme.
Chemical composition
Creeping thyme (or thyme) contains up to 0.2-0.6% of essential oils. Its main components are carvacrol and thymol. In addition, minerals, bitterness, organic pigments, tannins, gum, and also triterpenoids: oleanolic and ursolic acids were found in the plant . Terpenes are also present in small quantities.
Useful properties of thyme
The essential oils of this plant contain about 55 components. Useful properties of thyme are due to the content of methoxylated flavonoids in it, which have a rather high antispasmodic activity. Thyme grass has a large number of macro- and microelements. It is able to accumulate iron, selenium, molybdenum and boron.
The presented plant was always greatly appreciated by the Slavs. As you know, among many peoples there existed and still exists 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 connected with 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. So, thyme is used as an expectorant, antimicrobial and fungistatic agent. Preparations made on the basis of this plant enhance the secretion of the bronchi, thereby contributing to the rapid elimination of sputum.
In medical practice, thymol and thyme essential oils are actively used for disinfection of the mucous membranes of the pharynx, mouth, pharynx, as well as for fungal skin diseases (for example, at epidermophytosis), to suppress fermentation in the intestine and as an anthelmintic. Thus, having bought a liquid extract from thyme, it can be used as an emollient and expectorant for coughing (bronchitis or whooping cough). An infusion using this herb (assembled) is used for bronchial asthma, which is complicated by pneumonia or bronchitis.
It should also be noted that medicinal herbs thyme, thyme and other species of this plant are often used for rheumatic diseases, as they exhibit a painkiller and warming effect.
It has long been established that the roots and the aerial part of the thyme are able to enhance the function of the sex glands. In eastern countries, it is actively used in the depletion of the body 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 perfumery industries. It should also be noted that the leaves of this plant are almost always used as a fragrant spice in cooking. Stems and flowers can be brewed as healing tea, and essential oils can be used to perfume cosmetics (for example, when creating toilet soap, creams, lipsticks, toothpastes, etc.).
Medical use
Even in ancient times, thyme was considered divine grass. Thymol, which is isolated from thyme, as well as drugs made on the basis of this plant, are used as an anesthetic, disinfectant and anthelmintic. Powder and decoctions in folk medicine are used to prepare anesthetic compresses for inflammation of the sciatic nerve and radiculitis. In the form of ointment on honey, thyme is able to cleanse the lungs, causing expectoration of sputum. Among other things, thyme herb promotes proper digestion.
Thyme is often used to prepare hot baths, which helps with nervous diseases, rheumatism, radiculitis, skin rashes, joint and muscle diseases. As an external remedy, infusions are used to rub the body.
Harvesting raw materials
Most often, thyme is used in folk medicine for medicinal purposes. But in order to apply this herb to create decoctions and other extracts, it must be properly collected and prepared.
The presented plant should be collected during the full flowering period. Pulling it along 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 outdoors. 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 often. After the grass is completely dry, it must be crushed and sieved. This procedure is necessary so that all the thick woody stems are removed 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? The seeds of this fragrant plant are actively used in cooking. As for the dry powder, prepared independently or purchased in 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 into them, and then heat in a water bath (for a quarter of an hour), cool and strain. Take the resulting broth with cough and cold should be a large spoon 2-4 times a day.
- Infusion. It is used as a painkiller and sedative for headaches, insomnia, neuralgia and radiculitis. For preparation, 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 on a large spoon 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
Due to the fact that this plant contains a large amount of thymol, it is contraindicated in cases of duodenal ulcer and stomach ulcer (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 drugs cause the development of hyperthyroidism.
It is strictly forbidden to treat herbal medicines for children under two years of age! From an overdose, the patient may experience vomiting and nausea. Thus, it is possible to use infusions and decoctions from thyme only after a personal consultation with a doctor.
In cooking, you should also not get carried away by adding thyme seeds to dishes, because the essential oils that are contained in the plant can cause irritation of the mucous membrane of the stomach, liver and kidneys.