Content
- 1 Chemical composition of thyme
- 2 What diseases does thyme help with?
- 3 The benefits of thyme for the human body
- 4 Medicinal properties and contraindications of thyme for children
- 5 The use of thyme in folk medicine
- 6 How to use thyme in home cosmetology
- 7 Use of thyme in cooking
- 8 Thyme contraindications and side effects
- 9 Conclusion
- 10 Reviews on the use of thyme for medicinal purposes
The healing properties of thyme or creeping thyme have been known for a long time. It was believed that this herb could heal not only the body, but also the soul of a person. Moreover, the healing properties of the plant are very diverse, which allows it to be used in the treatment of many diseases. People call thyme Bogorodskaya herb. On the territory of Russia it is found in the Caucasus, the European part, Transbaikalia and Western Siberia. But if desired, medicinal thyme can be grown in your garden.
Thyme is a low-growing perennial plant with small leaves and purple-pink flowers.
Chemical composition of thyme
The healing properties of thyme are due to the rich chemical composition of the shoots and flowers.The tissues contain 0.1-0.6% essential oils, the main mass fraction of which is thymol and carvacrol.
Other components included in medicinal thyme:
- organic acids;
- mineral components;
- tannins;
- bitterness;
- gum;
- triterpenoids.
Calorie content of 100 g of fresh thyme is 101 Kcal. Moreover, 73% of the energy is carbohydrates, which is equal to 24.5 g.
What vitamins are in thyme?
The beneficial properties of thyme for the human body are also explained by its vitamin composition, which, in combination with minerals, has a healing effect on internal systems.
Medicinal thyme contains:
- retinol – essential for eye health, strengthens the immune system, participates in protein synthesis, ensures the full development of the fetus in the womb;
- beta-carotene is a powerful antioxidant, reduces the likelihood of cancer development, promotes cell regeneration;
- ascorbic acid – strengthens the body’s protective function, suppresses the activity of viruses, participates in the synthesis of hormones, the process of hematopoiesis, normalizes capillary permeability;
- B vitamins – increase resistance to infections, take part in muscle growth, normalize the functioning of the cardiovascular and nervous systems.
In nature, medicinal thyme prefers to grow on the slopes of ravines, gullies and meadows.
What diseases does thyme help with?
The healing properties of thyme allow the herb to be used for the prevention and treatment of diseases. However, it should be understood that medicinal thyme should be considered as an addition to the main therapy, but not instead of it.
The use of thyme is justified for:
- cough;
- bronchitis;
- cold;
- depression;
- pain of various etiologies;
- gynecological diseases;
- diabetes mellitus;
- gastritis;
- enteritis;
- dysbacteriosis;
- intestinal disorder;
- neuralgia;
- skin lesions;
- dysfunction of the genitourinary system.
Thyme helps increase appetite, vitality, and strengthen the immune system.
The benefits of thyme for the human body
Medicinal thyme combines many beneficial properties for human health. And therefore the plant is widely used in traditional and folk medicine.
The main beneficial properties of medicinal thyme:
- antiseptic;
- anti-inflammatory;
- anticonvulsant;
- diuretic;
- hypnotic;
- painkiller.
What are the benefits of thyme for the male body?
Thyme helps maintain men's health. The zinc contained in its tissues normalizes sexual function and prevents the development of prostatitis. For treatment, experts recommend using sitz baths with the addition of thyme infusion.
Tea is a preventative against impotence. It is recommended to drink the drink for 7-10 days. And then take a break for two weeks.
Medicinal thyme helps increase testosterone levels in a man’s body, which decreases with age. Decoctions improve the quality of seminal fluid and normalize ejaculation. And the oil increases sexual energy and prolongs sexual intercourse.
An infusion of medicinal thyme is also recommended against baldness. Its regular rubbing into the scalp awakens dormant hair follicles.
What are the benefits of thyme for a woman’s body?
Medicinal thyme is no less useful for the female body. Taking the infusion in the first days of menstruation can reduce discomfort.And to restore the vaginal microflora, experts recommend douching with a decoction. The course of treatment in this case is recommended for five days. Longer therapy is not recommended, as this can cause dryness and itching of the mucous membrane.
The healing properties of thyme also help with menopause. Tea can improve a woman’s emotional state and normalize hormonal levels. All this together reduces discomfort. In this case, it is easier for a woman to enter menopause.
If mother and baby are not allergic to thyme, a decoction and infusion of the plant can be taken during lactation. This will speed up the woman’s recovery after childbirth and improve the quality of milk.
Thyme contains phenolic antioxidants that slow down the aging process.
Medicinal properties and contraindications of thyme for children
In consultation with the pediatrician, medicinal thyme can be used for children. Thanks to its expectorant effect, this medicinal herb helps with colds, flu, and whooping cough. It is recommended to take the decoction and infusion orally for children over three years of age. You can also perform inhalations with thyme.
Until the age of three, this medicinal herb can only be used externally. In this case, thyme should be added to the bath before bathing the baby. This procedure has a calming, healing effect and helps eliminate diaper rash.
Medicinal thyme is contraindicated for children with individual intolerance. If signs of allergy appear, use should be discontinued.
The use of thyme in folk medicine
To treat diseases, you can use decoction, infusion, tea and tincture based on thyme.In order for the plant to bring health benefits, it is necessary to strictly follow the indicated dosages in the process of preparing these folk remedies. Otherwise, therapy may have the opposite effect.
Tea
To prepare healing tea, you need 1 tsp. vegetable raw materials pour 200 ml of boiling water. After this, cover the container with a lid and leave the drink for ten minutes. It is recommended to drink healing tea three times a day. And to improve the taste, you can add honey, but after the drink has cooled to 30 °C.
The duration of the course of therapy is seven days. After this you should take a break for a month.
Thyme tea should only be drunk warm
Infusion
Thyme infusion also has beneficial properties. To prepare it, you need to pour 2 tbsp. l. raw materials 250 ml boiling water. Then cover the container with a lid and boil the mixture for 15 minutes over low heat. After this, the healing agent should be left for 40 minutes and strained.
The infusion should be taken three times a day, 1 tbsp. l. before meals. The duration of the course of treatment is no more than three weeks.
The infusion can also be used externally in the form of compresses for wound healing.
Decoction
To prepare this healing remedy, you need 1 tbsp. l. dried thyme pour 2 tbsp. water. Boil the mixture for 15 minutes when it comes to a boil. After cooling, strain the product.
Take the decoction twice a day, 100 ml before meals. The course of therapy is carried out for ten days.
The decoction is recommended for problems with the digestive system
Alcohol tincture
To prepare this healing remedy, you need to put finely chopped plant materials into a dark glass container and compact it tightly.Fill it with vodka so that the liquid level is 2 cm above the thyme, but there is still a 1.5 cm air gap to the top of the jar. After this, close the container. Infuse the product in a dark place at room temperature for a month. In this case, you should shake the container several times daily.
Take the tincture orally, 20 drops three times a day before meals. The course of treatment should be carried out for two weeks, and then take a break for the same period of time.
The tincture can be stored for a year
How to use thyme in home cosmetology
Thyme is also useful for the human body when used in cosmetology. Baths made from a decoction of the plant for nails help improve the condition of the nail plates, strengthen them and enhance growth. Thyme is also good for hair. Rinsing your curls with an infusion of the plant helps give them a natural shine and well-groomed appearance. And rubbing the product into the scalp activates the work of hair follicles and strengthens them.
Thyme will also help with oily facial skin. In this case, you should wipe the problem areas twice a day. This helps eliminate unpleasant shine, tighten pores and normalize the functioning of the sebaceous glands.
Useful for the skin and washing with a decoction of this medicinal plant. This procedure eliminates fine wrinkles, normalizes the water balance in the upper layer of the epidermis, increases elasticity and improves shade.
Use of thyme in cooking
Thyme is not only a medicinal plant, but also an excellent seasoning. Adding it to dishes allows you to add piquancy to them.
Thyme can be used in cooking in fresh or dried form. It is recommended to add it when salting or urinating. Thyme is also suitable for meat, vegetable, and fish dishes.
Thyme can be used in combination with parsley and bay leaves
Thyme contraindications and side effects
In order for the use of thyme to benefit the health of women and men and not cause harm, it is necessary to take into account the existing restrictions on its use. You can drink herbal products for no more than two weeks in a row. After which you need to take a break.
The use of thyme is unacceptable in the presence of the following contraindications:
- individual intolerance;
- dysfunction of the thyroid gland;
- peptic ulcer;
- atherosclerosis;
- atrial fibrillation;
- hypertension.
You should temporarily stop taking medicinal products from creeping thyme during pregnancy. In the early stages, the medicinal herb can provoke a miscarriage, and in the later stages it can cause bleeding.
Conclusion
The healing properties of thyme can help with various health problems. But this medicinal herb must be used carefully. After all, the main condition of any therapy is to do no harm. Therefore, only with strict adherence to dosages and duration of treatment, creeping thyme can benefit the human body.
Reviews on the use of thyme for medicinal purposes
