How the beneficial properties of thyme affect our health
The beneficial properties of thyme are widely used in traditional medicine. The plant gained its popularity due to the huge set of trace elements and vitamins. Herbal infusions are used to treat many diseases, including alcohol addiction.
Thyme and its chemical composition
Chemical composition of thyme:
- vitamin C, B, A, tocopherols, nicotinic acid;
- beta carotene;
- the vitamin-like substance choline;
- from terpene alcohols: terpineol and borneol;
- ascaridol;
- ursolic acid;
- minerals: sodium and potassium, iron compounds, calcium salts, selenium.
The energy value of thyme is 275 kcal in every 100 grams. Most of all, this plant includes carbohydrates - almost 64 g, protein compounds - 9 g, lipids - 7 g.
The specific composition of thyme has provided it with widespread use for medical purposes. A phenol derivative - thymol, which is rich in spicy culture, gently but effectively fights against pathogenic microorganisms. Also, this compound is not tolerated by helminths, causative agents of fungal infections.
The beneficial properties of thyme
Thyme provides a positive effect on the human body due to such compounds in the composition as organic acids, minerals, essential oil, tannins, resins, bitter substances, flavonoids.
Thyme has the following beneficial properties:
- reduces inflammation;
- destroys infections;
- eliminates edema;
- relieves pain, spasms, cramps;
- lowers the temperature;
- relieves heat;
- soothes, normalizes sleep, relieves insomnia.
The previously dried stems were used as incense in worship. In our time, the perfume industry is an active consumer of thyme.
Not only people love thyme, but also bees for its rich aroma. The plant belongs to valuable melliferous crops. Thyme honey is especially healthy and aromatic. Tea from the plant is given to children with anemia, adults with nervous disorders, depression, migraine.
The fragrant oil of the plant helps to heal the lungs from various diseases. It copes especially well with bronchitis, cough, whooping cough, asthma. In addition to its diaphoretic properties, thyme is indispensable for flu, colds, and runny nose. Treats inflammation in the intestines thyme, flatulence. It helps to better digest and absorb food.
Thyme tea before bed soothes the nerves, relieves insomnia. Also, infusions are used externally as a remedy for skin diseases.
The use of thyme in cooking
The pleasant aroma and light bitterness in the taste of thyme can give various dishes a special taste. Most often, the leaves of the plant are in demand in cooking, but some cooks add whole branches.
Thyme seasonings are not suitable for people with ulcers, as the plant irritates the stomach lining.
For meat and fish
Most often, the spice is used for game dishes. Powdered dry plant is rubbed into pieces of meat and carcasses fish before baking. The spice is also added to sausage or cutlet mince.The spice is perfect for dishes with a high fat content as it stimulates digestion. Dry herb is suitable for cooking smoked meats or frying in lard.
Vegetables and mushrooms
Thyme is always included in the composition of spices, for example, in the "Provencal herbs" Thyme is used in Mediterranean cuisine, added to salads, as it goes well with various vegetables and especially with mushrooms.
Light pleasant bitterness can only increase the appetite.
First meal
This is another culinary trend for thyme - soups and borscht, rich broths. They acquire a special aroma and unusual taste even with the addition of a pinch of thyme.
In addition to these dishes, thyme is added:
- in alcoholic beverages, alcoholic tinctures;
- in hard and pickled cheeses;
- when pickling and canning (especially well set off thyme olives);
- in the composition of sweet and salty pastries.
The lemon thyme variety is loved by confectioners all over the world. They are flavored with various desserts.
The use of thyme in medicine
At the present time, thyme is not only bought in stores, but also grown in summer cottages. This is a very affordable medicinal raw material, which has found its application in traditional medicine.
The easiest way to brew tea is with the addition of thyme sprigs, both fresh and dried. Add 1 tsp to a standard cup of tea. dried herbs, insist 5 minutes and filter. That's it, the medicinal drink is ready. This decoction of thyme can be applied to the face or added to black tea.
With alcoholism
This complex addiction is also treatable with thyme decoction. You need 15 g of the plant to pour 0.5 liters of boiling water. The mixture is heated in a water bath or over low heat for 15 minutes, filtered and brought with boiling water to a volume of 0.5 liters. If you drink such a decoction of 50 ml daily for 2 weeks, then it will provide a vomiting reflex to any alcoholic beverages.
With joint diseases
An alcoholic infusion prepared on thyme is a miracle cure that perfectly copes not only with joint diseases, but also with radiculitis.
To do it you will need:
- 8 Art. l. herbs;
- 1 bottle of vodka (0.5 l.).
In a glass jar, mix the herb with vodka, hide in a dark place for 14 days. During this time, you need to shake the contents from time to time. After 2 weeks, the infusion should be filtered and rubbed with sore spots.
Also, baths on a decoction of the plant help to cure rheumatism and remove pain in the joints. You need 2 liters. insist 200 g of dry thyme in boiling water, then add this infusion to the bath, take it for 15 minutes two days in a row.
When coughing
Tea brewed with thyme, after the first use, relieves the patient's condition with various pulmonary problems, asthma, bronchitis.
It is prepared in the following sequence:
- A tablespoon with a hill of herbs is placed in a thermos, 200 ml is added. boiling water.
- Tea is infused for 2-3 hours, then filtered.
- Dosage for adults - 1 tbsp. l., for children - 1 tsp. Take the broth three times a day after meals.
Topical application of thyme will help with a strong and lingering cough. In order to alleviate the condition, you will need to rub the chest area with an infusion of thyme. Then put a sheet of plain paper soaked in goat fat on top. Such a compress should be put on at night. Just a few days of therapy and bronchitis will disappear once and for all.
Contraindications and possible harm
If you do not follow the dosage of thyme, then you can get harm instead of health benefits. Thyme should not be used for pregnant women, in the case of an ulcer in the intestines or stomach, as well as for patients with hepatitis, atrial fibrillation or pyelonephritis.
Before using fresh thyme, you need to remember that with a reduced thyroid function and atherosclerosis, it can be harmful.
A tasty and healthy spice of thyme can save you from many ailments. This is the most popular plant, the demand for which is only growing.