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Many gardeners grow medicinal herbs on their property. Popular plants include savory and thyme. Before planting, it is important to understand the characteristics of each plant, growing conditions and methods of use. Savory and thyme, the difference between which is described below, have similar and opposite characteristics.
What is savory and thyme
To understand the question of whether thyme and savory are the same plant or not, you need to study each species. These are low-growing subshrubs that are found in Eurasia. They belong to the same family. The confusion arises because the plant names are very similar.
Herbs have a number of external differences. To distinguish between savory and thyme, just look at photos, drawings and descriptions of the crops. Their main similarities are their decorative appearance, spicy smell and medicinal use.
What savory looks like
Garden savory is an annual plant of the Lamiaceae family. It is also called pepper grass. It has the appearance of a shrub or subshrub, with branched erect stems, up to 50 cm high. The leaves of the crop are entire, green, located on short petioles. The shoots have a pleasant aroma. Flowering occurs from July to October.In autumn, the fruits ripen in the form of round nuts.
To determine whether savory or thyme is growing in an area, you need to look at the plant during the flowering period. The first type produces flowers from 4 to 15 mm long. They are collected in leaf axils. The color of the petals is bluish, lilac or pink. The flowers are located along the entire length of the shoot. The calyx of the shoot is bell-shaped, regular in shape, with five teeth. The number of stamens is 4, the anthers are divided, consisting of two nests.
Mountain savory is also known in culture. This plant is resistant to frost and drought. It is planted in a sunny area. When grown in partial shade, fewer inflorescences are formed. The mountain variety blooms later: from July to September. The petals are white and pink with red spots.
Where does it grow
Studying the distribution area of the plant will help you find the answer to the question whether savory and thyme are the same thing or not. In nature, savory grows near the Mediterranean coast. In addition, the culture is found in the middle zone in Russia. It is cultivated in the Moscow region, northwestern and southern regions.
The plant does not tolerate severe frosts. Therefore, its cultivation in colder climates is difficult. The distribution area also covers steppe regions and Asian countries. The culture prefers rocks and rocky slopes.
What properties does it have?
Savory is a popular spice. Greens are used fresh, dried, salted and pickled. This is an excellent seasoning for salads, first and second courses, and sauces. The leaves and stems contain tannins, oils, and resins. This spice tastes sharp and piquant.
Savory was used in cooking by the ancient Romans. They added fresh shoots to the sauce that was served with meat and fish. Over time, the annual spread throughout Europe. Dried herbs improved the taste of cutlets, sausages and pies.
Savory is used in many national cuisines. This is one of the ingredients of the popular Bulgarian ketchup. The herb is also known in Moldavian, Armenian, Uzbek and Georgian cuisine.
To understand the differences between herbs, it is helpful to study the uses of each one. Savory has a positive effect on the body:
- fights pathogenic bacteria;
- eliminates indigestion;
- gets rid of worms;
- relieves colic;
- has a diuretic and diaphoretic effect;
- relieves signs of tachycardia, colds, cystitis and migraines;
- improves appetite;
- helps with vomiting;
- relieves spasms.
In medicine, savory is a component for tinctures and teas. The herb is effective against flatulence and has an astringent effect. An essential oil with a bright spicy aroma is obtained from the leaves.
Contraindications to taking savory are individual intolerance, pregnancy and breastfeeding. In addition, it is not recommended to use the herb for atherosclerosis, heart disease, and serious digestive disorders.
What does thyme look like?
Many people think that savory is thyme, since these words are very consonant. In fact, thyme has another common name: thyme. Therefore, the assumption that savory and thyme are the same thing is incorrect.
Thyme is a genus of plants that belongs to the Yamaceae family. These are low-growing shrubs with a pleasant aroma. There are several hundred types of thyme in total.In Russia, the most famous is creeping thyme - a perennial shrub up to 15 cm high. This is the difference with savory, which is grown as an annual.
Thyme forms large tufts. The shoots of the plant are recumbent, the stems with peduncles are straight or erect. Leaves are elliptical or oblong. The length of the sheet plate reaches 10 mm, width - no more than 3.5 mm. The leaves are located on a short petiole. The edges are not folded.
Thyme inflorescences are capitate and compact. The calyx is in the form of a narrow bell, up to 4 mm long. The corolla is two-lipped, its length is 8 mm. The difference between savory and thyme is the color of the flowers. In thyme they are bright, pink-purple.
The flowering period begins at the end of May and continues until autumn. In September, the fruits, which are small nuts, ripen.
Where does it grow
Representatives of the Thyme genus live throughout Eurasia, from the Scandinavian region to the shores of the Mediterranean Sea. The scope of their distribution is very wide and covers the territory from Great Britain to Eastern Siberia. This is the difference with savory, which often grows in southern countries.
Thyme prefers temperate climates. The plant is found in areas with rocky or sandy soil. These are steppe zones, roadsides, mountain slopes, forest edges, areas under bushes.
What properties does it have?
The difference between savory and thyme must be sought in the purpose of these plants. Thyme is an excellent honey plant. After pollinating its flowers, bees bring tasty and fragrant honey. In ancient times, dry leaves of the herb were added to incense for worship. Extracts from its shoots are used to create perfume compositions.
Thyme has a strong aroma and a pungent, almost bitter taste. It is added to pork, lamb, mushrooms, pates and cheeses. In small quantities it goes well with fried fish and liver.
Thyme shoots are used to make drinks. Young aerial parts are added to salads and homemade preparations. The herb gives a special flavor to sausages, teas, and vinegar.
The difference between savory and thyme lies in its beneficial properties. The effects of thyme on the body are as follows:
- the plant relieves pain in respiratory diseases, asthma, bronchitis and tuberculosis;
- calms the nervous system;
- destroys pathogenic microbes;
- produces a choleretic effect;
- treats joint inflammation.
Medicinal teas and infusions are prepared from thyme. Lotions and compresses made from it are effective for joint diseases, rheumatism, and wound healing. Contraindications for use are atherosclerosis, arrhythmia, pregnancy and breastfeeding, allergies.
What is the difference between savory and thyme
The differences between thyme and savory are as follows:
- sphere of distribution of crops;
- appearance of plants;
- bush height;
- flower coloring;
- methods of use;
- impact on the body.
The main similarity between these herbs is their culinary uses. Plants have a distinct aroma that improves the taste of dishes. However, there are differences here too. Savory has a more pungent and spicy aroma.
Conclusion
Savory and thyme, the difference between which is very noticeable, still have their own characteristics. These plants are grown in a summer cottage or collected in a forest area.The leaves and flowers of these species are used for both culinary and medicinal purposes. Knowing the characteristics of these species and the differences between them will help you find the most beneficial use for these herbs.
