Thyme, or creeping thyme , has many folk names that reflect its properties and appearance. Lemon darling, Bogorodskaya grass, pine forest, incense, small motherland - these are just some of them.
The plant is a small shrub, the trunks of which are spread out on the ground, and the branches are raised to a height of 10 cm. Pleasantly fragrant flowers of pale lilac, pinkish or white color are collected in capitate inflorescences. Thyme grows, mainly in the steppes throughout Europe. Thyme herb is used both in folk medicine and in traditional medicine. The healing properties of thyme are determined by its chemical composition. First of all, this is an essential oil, in which thymol and carvacrol predominate, inhibiting the coccal pathogenic flora and acting bacteriostatically on gram-negative microorganisms. It also contains oleanolic, chlorogenic, coffee and ursolic acids, bitterness, tannins, mineral salts, terpene compounds.
In modern medicine, drugs are successfully used, which include thyme herb. Their use helps with purulent inflammation of the oral cavity and pharynx, treats diseases of the stomach and intestines, accompanied by spasms or atony.
For various skin diseases, for the preparation of therapeutic baths, thyme grass is also taken as a wet dressing, lotion. The use of baths with the addition of thyme decoction has long established itself as an excellent tool that relieves inflammation on the skin, soothes itching, rashes, especially for babies.
Thyme herb extract is one of the main components of the well-known drug Pertusin, which pediatricians prescribe for children with bronchitis and even whooping cough.
Is thyme suitable for pregnant women? To answer this question definitely will not work. On the packaging with grass, among other contraindications, breastfeeding and pregnancy are clearly indicated. Indeed, the insidious property of thyme can gradually increase blood pressure imperceptibly. Clinical studies have also confirmed that thyme increases the tone of the uterus, which means that it is strictly forbidden to use it for pregnant women with the threat of miscarriage. It is clear that you can not use the grass and those pregnant women who have diseases from the list of contraindications.
Thyme is also not recommended for breastfeeding, although some young mothers claim that it was teas with the addition of thyme that helped them establish the process of lactation. It turns out that the use of this herb for pregnant and lactating women has more contraindications than indications. In any case, every sensible woman should consult with her doctor before using a new medicine, because only he can competently decide whether or not a pregnant woman and a nursing mother can consume thyme in the form of tea, decoction, etc.
A mixture of herbs for the treatment of alcoholism also includes thyme grass. Using it for two to three months strengthens the body of a sick person, causes indifference (often after a two-week course) to alcohol, and thus helps to get rid of alcohol dependence. The well-known phytotherapist Karhut V.V. advises to prepare the infusion as follows: in a glass of water for five minutes boil one spoonful of a mixture of four parts of thyme, one part of centaury and one part of wormwood. Use the drug three times a day for one tablespoon.
In folk medicine, at night urinary incontinence , an infusion is prepared from a mixture of plants taken in equal proportions: young pine cones, calamus rhizome and thyme grass. The use of this tool for two to three months will cure an unpleasant ailment. Prepare the infusion as follows: 15 g of the mixture must be filled with a glass of boiling water, wrapped and insisted for 2 hours. After which, you need to strain the liquid and drink ¼ cup for three to four doses per day.