Common thyme (thumos), popularly referred to as the Bogorodskaya grass or thyme, is a fragrant medicinal shrub with a creeping branched stem, which has been covered with pink-purple caps of small flowers since late May.
Antiquity
The beneficial properties of thyme have been known to man since antiquity. In Egypt, it was used to embalm bodies and as perfumes. The Greeks used it as a medicinal plant. Roman soldiers bathed in the infusion of thyme, gaining strength and courage. Therefore, the word "thyme" is translated from Latin as "strong". Already in those days, thyme was used as a spice, appreciating its taste and smell.
Useful properties of thyme in folk medicine
This plant has an essential oil consisting of thymol 40% and other components that make the plant bactericidal. Infusion of herbs normalizes digestion, stops gastric colic. Thyme decoction is a good expectorant, it helps to dissolve mucus in the bronchi in case of lung diseases: bronchitis, bronchial asthma. Herbal broth rinse the inflamed oral cavity and throat. Baths with this herb soothe nerves, relax, help relieve stress and headaches, normalize sleep disturbances, treat purulent wounds. On thyme broth knead clay dough for compresses for arthritis.
Useful
properties of thyme in cooking
Due to the pleasant smell and spicy-bitter taste, thyme leaves (fresh or dry, mashed before use) have found application in cooking as a spice and flavoring - they give many dishes a refined aroma and piquant bitterness, while improving the taste. Thyme is added to cookies, sprinkled with fatty and fried potato dishes with pork, lamb, season fish, game, and offal. Thyme foods are better digested. This spice is surprisingly combined with cheeses and eggs, enriches the taste of bean soup. Gives aroma to smoked meats and canned vegetables.
Useful properties of thyme in cosmetology
For unclean and oily skin, a herbal compress from this plant is useful. 2 tbsp dry leaves and flowers of thyme will require 0.5 l of mineral water without gas, heated to a state of boiling water. Brew grass, insist 10 minutes in a sealed container. Strain by squeezing the mass into the infusion. Moisten a linen napkin in a slightly cooled infusion and apply it for 10 minutes on a previously cleaned face. Change the cloth to a towel dampened with cold water. Then after 3 minutes, dry the skin and grease with a nourishing cream.
Moth protection
In a wardrobe, thyme will serve as a pleasant fragrance for clothes, as well as scare away moths from things.
Garden cultivation
Thyme, the photo of which is given in the article, can be easily grown at home. The plant loves soft calcareous soil, calm and sunny places. It can be grown from seeds or by dividing a bush, planting according to the 40x40 cm scheme. Flowering branches are cut 2-3 times during the summer at a height of 10 cm above the ground. The last cut is no later than the second half of August, so that the plant grows stronger before winter. Fragrant and healthy thyme will not only decorate the garden, but must be present in the home medicine cabinet and in the kitchen.