The first thing that attracts the attention of thyme is the strong smell of the plant. A pleasant aroma emanating from a tiny bouquet embodies the herbs of meadows and steppes.
Thyme (creeping thyme) belongs to the family of clear-flowered. This perennial shrub plant 10-15 cm tall blooms with pink small flowers and has numerous creeping stems and small leaves. Thyme is considered to be a Mediterranean plant, but in our country it is found everywhere, and the properties of thyme are used very often in our country.
For medical purposes, use thyme grass, which is harvested during full bloom (June-July).
Chemical composition
Thyme, whose properties are determined by the chemical composition of the plant, contains tannins, beneficial bitterness, essential oil, terpenes, flavonoids, gum, vitamins C and B, carotene, resins, organic acids, mineral salts, oleanolic and ursolic acids , etc.
And phenols (about 60%) were found in the composition of the thyme herb essential oil: carvacrol, thymol, hydrocarbon cimol, terpenes.
Thyme: properties of a medicinal plant and application
The use of thyme is very multifaceted, it is used in culinary, cosmetic and medical purposes.
But today we will talk about how amazing thyme is useful for medicinal purposes. Its properties can be listed for a long time: it is anti-inflammatory, and diuretic, bactericidal, expectorant, wound healing, antiseptic, sedative, antihelminthic, anticonvulsant, weak sleeping pills, disinfectants, painkillers, antispasmodics, bronchodilators ...
The bitterness present in the plant perfectly stimulates the appetite, and also makes it possible to use thyme as an effective remedy for diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, accompanied by atony or spasms of the intestines and stomach, low acidity, abdominal pain, as well as flatulence, hemorrhoids or worm infestations.
Thyme, the medicinal properties of which we have already learned, is widely used not only by folk, but also by official medicine in the form of infusions, decoctions and teas based on it.
The decoction and infusion from the leaves of the plant, as well as liquid extract, which are used as expectorants for bronchitis, pneumonia, upper respiratory ailments, as well as colds, whooping cough, chest pain, pulmonary tuberculosis, flu, bronchial asthma, hoarseness, are recognized as official medicine. vote.
Thyme liquid extract is also present in Pertussin, which has been widely used since ancient times for coughing or whooping cough.
Thyme essential oil perfectly disinfects the air in the apartment where the sick person is located, this speeds up the healing process.
Decoctions and infusions of this herb are often used to rinse with inflammation of the larynx and oral cavity, as well as laryngitis, tracheitis or halitosis.
Thyme has a restorative effect on the body, it is especially useful with strong mental stress. Tea from thyme reduces fatigue, contributing to increased vital activity and health.
As a painkiller, this remedy is used for radiculitis and neuritis, as a lactogenic one for gynecological diseases. Thyme is also successfully used for liver diseases, shortness of breath, heart diseases, sleep disorders, tumors, swelling, goiter, anemia, nervous diseases, rheumatism, insomnia, tape worms, uterine bleeding, during maternal fever and before childbirth, to normalize blood pressure during hypertension.
For external purposes, thyme grass is used for rubbing, aromatherapy, compresses or lotions for diseases of the joints, peripheral nerves and muscles, as well as for non-healing wounds, bee stings.
This amazing herb also has a beneficial property for the male population: it eliminates early ejaculation and sexual weakness.
In addition, it has the ability to prevent thyme early hair loss. And it is also used in the preparation of ointments to remove acne, herpes and purulent inflammations.
Medicinal thyme recipes
Decoction for oral use: 200 g of water is poured into 10 g of raw materials and kept for 15 minutes on a steam bath, often stirred, filtered, then brought to its original volume using boiled water. Take three times a day, one spoonful.
For lumbosacral neuralgia: infusion at the rate of 20 grams of thyme herb per liter of water. An hour to insist, take 50 g four times a day in the form of heat.
With cataracts: dry grass is crushed into powder, sifted. 100 g of the obtained powder is taken and mixed with 500 g of honey, an hour is infused with stirring in a water bath. It is stored in the refrigerator. Before going to bed every evening you need to eat a teaspoon, this will protect against further development of incipient cataracts.
For cystitis and cholecystitis: take a table. a spoonful of chopped thyme (herb) and a glass of boiling water are poured into a thermos. Shake well and leave to infuse for 2 hours. Filter and ingest 50 g before meals three times a day.
For the prevention of influenza, alcohol tincture is prepared: they take 40 grams of chopped herbs and pour 200 grams of vodka. Shake everything well and insist for 2 weeks in a dark place. After that, the tincture is filtered, and the raw materials are squeezed. Take 15 cap. on the table. a spoonful of water three times a day. Course - 2 weeks.
For sore eyes: wash eyes or make lotions with water infusion - 60 g of raw materials per liter of boiling water.
To relieve fatigue, with gout, arthritis, rheumatism, take aromatic baths: in 4 liters of water, 500 g of a dry plant is brewed, adding to the bath.
With a decrease in sexual function in men: 10 g of crushed grass is mixed with water and a small amount of bee honey. The resulting product is taken three times a day.
With poor digestion, kidney ailments, bloating in the intestines, as well as a diuretic, blood purifying and strengthening the stomach, they drink steam from the thyme like tea. Dose: 10 g per liter of boiling water.
With dysbiosis: make a decoction of the table. tablespoons of thyme and 2 glasses of water. Bring to a boil, insist an hour and drink 50 grams four times a day. The course is from 2 weeks to 2 months. The tool restores the flora in the intestines after a long course of antibiotics. Also useful in chronic gastritis of low acidity.
Contraindications
Thyme, whose properties are so invaluable, can not be taken by people with liver and kidney diseases, stomach ulcers. It is also contraindicated during pregnancy. The use of herbs for decompensation of cardiac activity, cardiosclerosis, atherosclerosis, and atrial fibrillation is not recommended.