Flavored health supplement – thyme: types, benefits and uses

Thyme is irreplaceable in the kitchen of a real hostess

Many people know the aromatic plant thyme as thyme, Bogorodskaya herb, lemon scent, boron pepper, incense. The very name “thyme” comes from the Greek “incense” (aromatic substances), which fully corresponds to the characteristics of the plant. This fragrant herb has a characteristic aroma, for which culinary experts around the world use it as a spice, herbalists prepare healing infusions, and tea lovers always add a pinch of dried thyme to their tea. Growing thyme will not be difficult for both experienced and novice gardeners. Enjoy all the benefits of this wonderful plant!

The original way to dry thyme

Thyme goes well with vegetables, both fresh and baked

No less organically, this seasoning complements the taste of meat.

Thyme is often used to make a variety of pastries.

Also, a very healthy healing tea is brewed from thyme.

Source of strength

Thyme has been known to people since ancient times. The Romans associated this plant with masculinity: baths were prepared for warriors with a healing broth, which restored and increased physical strength. A similar practice was common among the ancient Greeks. The Egyptians used thyme oil instead of perfume, as it gave the body a pleasant scent for a long time. Also, this plant was used in the embalming of the departed and as a fragrant mixture during divine services..

In addition, thyme-thyme was actively added to food as a fragrant seasoning. Pillows were also stuffed with dried grass: it was believed that the remedy strengthened health, increased life expectancy.

Incredibly beautiful delicate purple thyme inflorescences

Advice! Thyme pillow effectively normalizes sleep, calms the nerves.

Biological description

Few know what thyme looks like – it is a short flowering shrub or subshrub. In height, woody stems reach a maximum of 30-35 cm, they can be both ascending and recumbent. The flowering branches are straight or herbaceous. Leaves are bright green, small and hard, round or oblong, sometimes with a jagged edge.

Inflorescences are collected at the ends of the branches. Thyme flowers come in several shades, the most common being purple or purple, but pink and white are also found. The flowering period falls on June – August, by September the fruits ripen – boxes, each of which contains four dark globular nuts.

15

Thyme: photo of species

Thyme is a plant distributed over a vast territory covering the whole of Eurasia, the north of the African continent and even Greenland. In nature, this dwarf shrub from the family of the lamellar grows on forest edges, among stones and along roads, in places well-lit by the sun. Some species can be found in the tundra. The genus includes several hundred species of thyme, more than 170 of which grow in the middle lane.

A small bush of blooming thyme in a hanging flowerpot will decorate your yard

Among the most famous varieties of this shrub:

• thyme ordinary;
• creeping thyme;
• thyme lemon.

This plant is very diverse and has many uses in the modern world.

These species are found in their natural environment, but are also cultivated and actively cultivated by gardeners. Wild-growing varieties include flea thyme, Ural, Dagestan, Crimean, Siberian, Kyrgyz, small-leaved, Marshall, Pallas, etc..

13

Thyme ordinary

Common thyme grows naturally in the countries of the Mediterranean, the North Caucasus, and the Black Earth Region. The bush can grow up to 50 cm in height. This shrub has a highly branched stem, elongated ovoid leaves.

Start a small shrub of common thyme right on your windowsill – and your favorite seasoning will always be at your fingertips.

The flowering period falls in the middle of summer, the fruits ripen by the end of August. Small pale pink flowers.

Advice! The collection of greens is carried out twice a year: in July and the end of September.

Common thyme branches

The peculiarity of this species is a very strong aroma, in a number of countries (Moldova, Ukraine, the Caucasus) ordinary thyme is grown exclusively for obtaining essential oil.

13

Lemon thyme

Lemon thyme is an ordinary garden subspecies, in the wild it can only be found in Spain. The peculiarity of this variety is a strong lemon aroma and a rich color of a light green hue. It is mainly used as a raw material for the preparation of spices. Fresh shoots are suitable for making drinks, vinegars, desserts.

Lemon thyme leaves have a small white border around the edge

Lemon thyme is very unpretentious and does not need fertilization, but it is important to provide it with loose sandy soil and an abundance of sun.

Advice! In warm climates, the shrub grows quickly, so in the spring it must be pruned so that it does not fill the entire garden.

This type is often used for confectionery.

Creeping thyme

In nature, creeping thyme can be found in the middle lane (Eastern Europe, the Urals, Siberia, Kazakhstan). This perennial shrub reaches a height of 40 cm.Oval leaves are dotted with glands containing essential oils.

A gorgeous sight – creeping flowering thyme in a rocky area

The flowering period begins in May and lasts until the end of August. The flowers are mauve, located on small inflorescences. Fruits (6 mm nuts) ripen by mid-July to mid-September.

Creeping views are great for decorating the patio of a private house.

Advice! Creeping thyme is one of the best melliferous plants; honey from it is especially aromatic..

It is quite easy to grow creeping thyme in the garden. Planting and care should be as close to natural conditions as possible: loose to rocky soil, good insolation, moderate watering. Planting by seeds or seedlings.

13

Thyme. Growing

It will be possible to grow thyme on the garden plot without any problems: planting and caring for it will not take much time and effort.

Cultivation is carried out from seeds in the open field. Planting in spring or autumn, but always on a warm day. Seeds should be deepened by no more than 1 cm, only lightly sprinkled with earth, since they are sensitive to sunlight.

Thyme is very often used to fill the space between the masonry paths in the courtyard of a private house.

Thyme seeds (pictured), planted in a greenhouse or greenhouse, will sprout in 2-3 weeks. At ambient temperatures above 20 ° C, seedlings appear after 10 days.

Thyme seedlings in a spacious wooden flowerpot

In the first year of life, only small green twigs grow, which need timely weeding and feeding. Flowering begins in the second year, at this stage, some of the shoots should be sprinkled with soil so that they receive sufficient nutrition, which will favorably affect rooting and growth.

Advice! Collecting greens can be carried out only in the third year of the plant’s life..

It is best to collect greens with scissors so as not to damage the plant.

No less popular is the method of propagation of thyme by cuttings:

1. After flowering, shoots are cut off with sharp scissors.
2. The lower part of each cutting is carefully stripped of leaves.
3. The stalk is placed in a well prepared in the ground, thoroughly moistened, and then sprinkled with soil.
4. Watering the shoots should be done every other day, until new leaves appear..
5. Growing shoots should be covered with soil..
6. A plant with regrown roots can be transplanted to a convenient place.

You can also grow thyme at home (see photo), the description of the process is similar to planting in open ground. The preferred method of planting is seedlings, since seeds are more demanding.

Advice! To grow thyme at home, you need a spacious pot, so that the roots of the plant can completely cover the soil.

Pot for growing thyme at home. The roots of the plant cover the entire volume of the flowerpot

Landing requirements

Thyme (photo of the plant, description and characteristics clearly demonstrate this) has a superficial root system that does not need deep soil processing.

Gathered branches of common thyme

Before planting seeds or cuttings, the soil should be thoroughly weeded out and the acidity level should be checked. For thyme, neutral or slightly alkaline soils are best..

Advice! When planting, choose a well-lit place. In the shade, the thyme will slow down its growth, and the shoots will lose their aroma..

If you grow thyme at home, then it is better to place a flowerpot with this plant on the windowsill of the sunny side of the house.

Thyme and its care

Thyme, planting which has sprouted, needs minimal maintenance. The main thing is to ensure regular, but moderate watering, the plant does not tolerate waterlogging..

If thyme is grown as a seasoning, then you need to pay attention to the development of greens: often cut off, not allowing the plant to bloom. Grass harvesting period – June – July.

Useful qualities

Since ancient times, the herb known to people thyme has many medicinal properties. Studies have confirmed that the essential oils contained in the plant are rich in thymol (a non-toxic analog of phenol), organic acids, tannins, flavonoids. Due to this composition, the plant has excellent bactericidal properties. The essential oil is obtained from all aerial parts of the plant..

Delicious and healthy thyme tea with healing properties

In addition, in homeopathy, thyme is used as several medicines at once:

• antipyretic;
• diuretic;
• choleretic;
• anticonvulsant;
• sedative.

Thyme stimulates the brain, improves memory and normalizes sleep, increases appetite and improves digestion – this is just a small part of the beneficial qualities of the miraculous plant..

You can also make a salad dressing or any other dish from thyme.

With the help of decoctions, traditional healers even treat alcohol dependence, after a full course, the “patient” has an aversion to alcohol caused by the action of essential oils.

The use of thyme should be excluded for those suffering from kidney diseases, as well as expectant mothers, since thymol can negatively affect the course of pregnancy. Broths should not be given to babies under two years old. Better yet, before taking medications from this plant, consult a doctor..

An incredibly healthy refreshing tincture of thyme and lemon juice

From a hundred diseases

Decoctions and infusions of thyme help cleanse the blood, and also relieve stomach pains and help normalize digestion. For the latter property, thyme is especially loved in the Caucasus, where it is added to tea and served after each meal..

A small sprig of thyme will perfectly complement the taste of baked goods.

• Healing decoctions are used for all kinds of infectious diseases of the upper respiratory tract, colds and irritations of the mucous membranes. Specifically, thyme will effectively heal a sore throat, cough, and runny nose (even sinusitis or sinusitis).
• It is useful to rinse the mouth with a decoction of thyme: the product will destroy bacteria and get rid of an unpleasant odor, soothe irritated mucous membranes.
• Regular use of thyme decoctions and tinctures will help to normalize the heart rate, restore sexual function (especially in men), relieve migraines and increase efficiency.
• Decoctions and tinctures of thyme, as in ancient times, are considered an excellent way to restore strength, relieve nervous tension.

One of the variations of thyme tincture, which harmoniously complements the taste of grapefruit

Compresses from thyme and a bath with a decoction effectively relieve pain in rheumatism, bruises, accelerate wound healing, soothe irritated skin.

Advice! To make a therapeutic bath, you will need to pour 50 g of dry leaves with 10 liters of boiling water.

Thyme in cooking

Dried thyme (pictured) is one of the favorite spices of Caucasian, Mediterranean, Arabian cuisine. It goes well with legumes (beans, peas, chickpeas, lentils), cabbage, potatoes. The spice is equally well suited for soups, stews, fried or baked dishes, pâtés and even baked goods. The latter, with the addition of thyme, becomes more aromatic..

15

Advice! Plant seeds can be added to ready-made dishes..

Vegetarian buckwheat and vegetable dish with thyme sprigs

Thyme is a spice, light bitterness and spicy aroma of which perfectly emphasize the taste of meat, river fish, game. The leaves and stems of the plant can be used for smoking meat products and pickling vegetables. Fresh thyme is perfect for making salads, all kinds of sauces and marinades.

Thyme goes well with other spices. You can safely experiment, getting a new unusual taste of the dish every time.

Advice! To store thyme, you need a jar with a tight-fitting lid, which will help preserve all essential substances in the seasoning..

The strong aroma of the spice allows it to be added to food in small quantities. So, for example, fresh thyme is enough 1-2 g per serving, and dried – 0.2-0.3 g.

15

Thyme is an amazing plant that has excellent decorative, medicinal and culinary qualities, so you should definitely grow it in your garden or at home..

Sandwiches with melted cheese, nuts and thyme, which complements the palate of the dish

Original sponge cake with sour cream, garnished with thyme sprigs