Common thyme (Thymusvulgaris L.) - from the Lamiaceae family (Lamiaceae). It is a small semi-shrub 50 cm high with a highly branched taproot system. Stems are woody, erect, highly branched. Leaves are small, up to 1 cm in length, oblong-ovate, opposite, short-petiolate with curled edges, especially in heat. The flowers are light purple, small, collected in loose inflorescences. Fruits are grayish brown. Blooms in June-July, seeds ripen in July-September.
The homeland of the plant is Spain and the south of France. In our country, it can grow in the Krasnodar Territory, in an amateur culture - up to the Central Chernozem regions. In some years it hibernates even in the Moscow region.
Propagated by sowing seeds to a depth of about 1 cm. Given that the seeds are small, it is better to sow seedlings, which are planted after the danger of frost has passed. Medicinal herbs are cut during flowering and dried. In the south, they manage to make 2 mows, after drying, the raw materials are threshed, freeing them from coarse stems.
From the ancient Egyptians to the present day
Name thyme and Thymus comes from the Greek "spirit". This name is probably given for the strong aroma released when plants are burned. This property was used for fumigations. The Egyptians used it as an ingredient in embalming. Ancient Greeks associated thyme with elegance. “It smells like thyme,” they used to say in those days. In ancient times, thyme was associated with courage, so the Roman soldiers, taking a bath with thyme, believed that they were gaining strength. Pliny the Elder also cites 28 recipes in his writings, which included thyme. It is also mentioned by Avicenna as an anthelmintic, uterine and stone-expelling agent, as well as in the famous 11th century poem "On the Properties of Herbs" by the French physician and scientist Odo of Men.
The therapeutic effect on the lungs and bronchi was first mentioned in the Middle Ages. Hildegard Bingen recommended thyme for choking, asthma and coughing. It is widely used in food preparation as an aromatic additive. Thyme has an antibacterial effect and helps with digestive disorders.
Thyme contains an essential oil (1-2.5%), which can vary greatly in composition. The thymol chemotype is usually characterized by a thymol content of 30-50%. In addition, it contains carvacrol, 15-20% p-cymene, 5-10% γ-terpinene, thymol methyl ether (1.4-2.5%), borneol, camphene, 1,8-cineole, linalyl acetate, caryophyllene, etc. In addition to essential oil, it contains the flavonoids luteolin and apigenin, methoxylated and glycosidated flavones, dihydrokempferol, naringenin, taxifolin, phenol carboxylic acid derivatives, triterpenes. In homeopathy, a fresh aerial part is used for bronchopulmonary diseases.
Currently, European scientific medicine recommends thyme for respiratory diseases, against bad breath, for inflammation of the mucous membranes of the gastrointestinal tract. Thyme preparations promote phlegm excretion (thanks to terpenes) and are anti-inflammatory thanks to flavonoids. Thyme essential oil has antimicrobial, fungicidal and antiviral properties, improves local blood circulation. Thyme extract exhibits high antioxidant activity. Leaves and threshed flowers are used for medical purposes. Contains derivatives of caffeic acid (primarily rosmarinic acid), flavonoids, triterpenes, essential oil.
In a comparative study of the preparations of thyme and Bromhexine on 60 patients with cough, it was found that thyme is not inferior in its effectiveness to such an antitussive luminary as Bromhexine. Hot foot baths with thyme and salt help with colds. Thyme phytotherapists refer to herbal antibiotics.For coughs, especially with cramps, whooping cough and pneumonia, inhalation is recommended. At the University of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, Münster (Germany), the mechanism of the antispastic action of thyme has been disclosed: acting on beta-2 receptors, it relaxes the muscles of the bronchi and increases the mobility of the ciliated epithelium, which facilitates the separation of sputum.
External use in the form of baths, compresses, inhalation with essential oil is also very effective.
In the form of syrups and infusions, it is well suited for use in pediatrics. When studying the effectiveness of bronchitis in children within 2 weeks, a significant improvement was noted in 90%. In folk medicine, in addition to diseases of the respiratory tract and gastrointestinal tract, it is used for cystitis and urethritis, gastritis, as a wound healing agent, as well as for acne and acne, that is, problem skin. As a tea and for gargling - 1-2 teaspoons of herbs per 150 ml of boiling water, leave for 10-15 minutes, drink one cup several times a day or gargle several times.
One bath requires 0.5 kg of raw material. They try not to use thyme during pregnancy and lactation. Thyme baths are contraindicated for hypertensive patients, for heart failure, for skin diseases.
Thyme is recommended in addition to antibiotics against Helicobacterpyroli, causative agent of stomach ulcers. With dermatomycosis of the foot, 2.5 g of thyme essential oil is added to the calendula ointment (50 g) purchased at the pharmacy.
Thyme preparations are used in complex herbal medicine for depression. There are also folk recipes with this direction of action.
In order to raise the concentration of attention in case of fatigue, before the exams, it is recommended to take a tincture of "9 blue flowers": take in equal shares the flowers of sage, thyme, hyssop, lavender, rosemary, ivy budra, forget-me-not, medicinal verbena, borage (cucumber herb), cornflower , violets, chicory. Pour the mixture with 38% alcohol in a ratio of 1:10, leave for three weeks in a dark place, shaking occasionally. The tincture will not be blue! Strain and take 15 drops 3 times daily before meals.
For aromatherapy lovers
Thyme vulgaris essential oils are labeled according to the chemotype. First of all, it is thymol and carvacrol type of. In nature, the carvacrol type of thyme is widespread at an altitude of 250-500 above sea level, at an altitude of more than 700 m, the thymol type is widespread, which is called "garden thyme" or "winter thyme". In German aromatherapy literature there are names for red (thymol) and black (carvacrol) thyme. This oil is supplied by France, Spain, Morocco and Algeria. Its main application is an antimicrobial agent that is active against pathogens of bronchopulmonary diseases, as well as urinary tract infections and Trichomonas infections. As an analgesic used for rheumatoid arthritis, arthrosis and inflammation of the joints. Spasmolytic action - for sprains, convulsions. In addition, in aromatherapy it is used for cellulite and edema, hypotension, gastritis, insect bites, burns, abscesses, acne, skin inflammations.
Linalool and geraniol the type is obtained from the so-called white thyme. The producing countries are the same as those of the previous ones. It climbs even higher: 1250 m - geraniol thyme, and even higher linalool - over 1500 m above sea level.
The essential oil contains up to 60% linalool or geraniol and up to 20% linalyl acetate. The content of thymol and carvacrol is 2.7 and 0.7%, respectively. The linalool type is used for bacterial, viral and fungal infections, especially with yeasts like candida. Used for chronic bronchitis and intestinal infections. The smell resembles lavender, there are fewer side effects than the rest and can be used even for children. Among other things, it has an immunostimulating effect.Geraniol type also has antimicrobial and is used for rhinitis, sinusitis, pharyngitis, bronchitis, urethritis, cystitis, vaginitis, cervicitis, salpiginitis. It is used for skin problems, acne (staphylococcal infection). Effective for candidiasis and viral and staphylococcal infections of the gastrointestinal tract. Acts as a tonic for fatigue and stimulates the heart.
Thujanol-type oil is found in the Pyrenees, France and Spain. It practically does not contain thymol and carvacrol, 28% myrcene, 54-60% trans-thujanol, 9-11% trans-carphyl acetate, 2.5-5% caryophyllene. The aroma of the oil is spicy, herbal. This oil is especially active against viruses and chlamydia, and is used externally as sitz baths for urogenital infections. Not used during pregnancy, for children and adolescents.
