Thymus is a plant that is often found in suburban areas. In the southern regions of the country, it grows in the wild.
And in this article we will focus on the useful properties of the plant, its use in folk medicine and contraindications to use.
What are the benefits of thyme
Most of all, this culture is valued for its high content of essential oil, which is due to the strong aroma and healing properties of thyme: a beneficial effect on the respiratory and digestive systems, antispasmodic and bactericidal action.
In addition, thyme herb contains a lot of vitamin C, mineral salts, organic acids, tannins, bitterness, flavonoids and other useful elements. The combination of active substances is due to a number of useful properties of the plant.
Thyme calms the nervous system and helps to get rid of the symptoms of stress; helps to restore strength in general fatigue; relieves spasms, has a relaxing effect; improves memory and increases immunity.
Thyme herb has anti-inflammatory, wound-healing and bactericidal properties, is used as an expectorant, diaphoretic, diuretic and analgesic.
The plant improves the digestive tract, increases appetite, stimulates the pancreas, normalizes metabolism. Thyme preparations relieve stomach and intestinal colic, stop the fermentation processes in the intestines, and have a carminative effect.
The antitumor properties of thyme are used in the treatment of various forms of malignant and benign tumors. In folk medicine, thyme is also used to restore a weakened libido, get rid of alcoholism (mixed with other herbs), and expel helminths.
What diseases can be cured with thyme
Thyme preparations treat cough, sore throat, colds, bronchitis and asthma. During the flu epidemic, it is useful to hang bunches of dry grass or gauze bags with thyme in the house. When coughing, it is recommended to rub the chest with thyme oil; with it, inhalations are also made for angina, laryngitis, pharyngitis. Thyme tea (1 teaspoon of dry grass per glass of boiling water, infuse for 20 minutes, strain) is drunk for colds and bronchitis. Thyme oil is useful for colds-it is buried in the nose.
Infusions and decoctions of thyme are used to treat colitis, intestinal colic, constipation, flatulence, pancreatitis, cholecystitis. The oil is used to treat diarrhea, flatulence, and the elimination of helminths. An infusion of a mixture of herbs-wormwood, thyme and tansy-also has anthelmintic properties.
Drink tea with thyme for insomnia, nervous disorders, stress. Or you can just make a fragrant pillow with dried thyme; baths with the addition of oil or herbal infusion are also useful. Externally, the infusion is used to treat skin diseases, boils, acne; it is added to water for rinsing the throat and mouth with angina, gum diseases, various inflammatory processes.
For joint diseases, rheumatism, sciatica, osteochondrosis, sprains, rubings and baths with thyme oil, as well as an alcoholic tincture of herbs are used. Useful for sore joints ointment: 200 g (7 oz) of melted butter or internal fat thoroughly mixed with 50 ml (1.7 fl. oz) of alcohol tincture of thyme; store in the refrigerator.
The oil is rubbed into the scalp for hair loss and dandruff; it is applied to insect bites to eliminate itching and inflammation. To strengthen the hair and get rid of dandruff, it also helps to rinse the head after washing with an infusion of thyme (4 tablespoons of crushed dry grass pour 1 liter of boiling water, insist for half an hour, strain; use 1 time a week).
Dried thyme grass, ground into powder, is used as a powder for the treatment of trophic ulcers and non-healing wounds.
When and how to collect medicinal raw materials
For medicinal purposes, the thyme herb is used, which is collected during flowering, in dry weather. The stems of the plant are quite strong, so it is better to cut them with scissors, so as not to uproot the bush.
Like all plants containing essential oils, thyme can not be dried in the sun — it loses its useful properties. Dry the collected raw materials in the shade-under a canopy or in a well-ventilated area. Store in a dark, dry place, folded in a tightly closed container.
Contraindications to the use of thyme
Use medicines based on thyme is not recommended if you have impaired thyroid function; there is an ulcer of the stomach or duodenum; atherosclerosis of the cerebral vessels; atrial fibrillation; hypertension. Thyme is also contraindicated in hepatitis and pyelonephritis; it should be avoided during pregnancy.