Thyme

2024 Author: Jasmine Walkman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 08:29

Delicate looking spice with a rich aroma, thyme is a wonderful addition to lean beans, eggs, meat and vegetable dishes. Dried thyme is available all year round in stores and guarantees a unique aroma that has applications in cooking and aromatherapy.

Thyme has benefits and applications that are many. Along with about sixty varieties, including French thyme, lemon thyme, orange thyme and silver thyme, it is certain that this spice will add fragrance to our lives.

Thyme is a genus of about 350 species of fragrant perennial herbaceous plants and small shrubs.

Their height reaches 40 cm and are found wild in Europe, North America and Asia. Thyme leaves are curly, elliptical in shape and very small in size. The upper leaf is greenish-gray at the top and the lower part is white in color. They have thin stems, and the colors can be purple, white, pink and are dense terminal inflorescences with uneven cups with a three-part upper lip and a cleft lower lip.

History of thyme

Thyme comes from regions such as Asia, southern Europe and the Mediterranean. The Latin name of the French thyme is known as Thymus vulgaris. Thyme has been used since ancient times for its culinary, aromatic and medicinal properties. The ancient Egyptians used it as an embalming agent to preserve their mummified pharaohs.

In ancient Greece, thyme was very popular and widely used for its aromatic properties, burning like incense in sacred temples. This spice was also known as a symbol of courage and bravery, which lasted until the end of the Middle Ages. The women presented their knights with a scarf embroidered with a bee and a stalk of thyme wrapped as a symbol of their courage.

Types of thyme

- Common thyme (T. vulgaris) - a widely used green spice coming from the Mediterranean. It grows best on well-drained soils and places illuminated by sunlight;

- Kim thyme (T. herba-barona) - has a bilateral application, being used both in cooking as a spice and in gardening as an ornamental plant. It is characterized by a pronounced and strong smell of cumin;

- Citrus thyme (T. x citriodorus) (T. pulegioides x T. vulgaris) - an extremely interesting aromatic species, used mainly for spice. Thyme varieties are selected with the smell of different citrus fruits;

- Wild thyme (Thymus serpyllum) and shaggy thyme (T. pseudolanuginosus) - not used for spices, but are widely used as ornamental and medicinal plants.

Composition of thyme

Thyme is a spice, rich in various nutrients. It is a very good source of iron and manganese, as well as calcium and dietary fiber. Thyme also contains a variety of flavonoids, including apigenin, naringenia and thymonin. They increase the antioxidant capacity of thyme, and in combination with its status as a good source of manganese, give it a high position in the list of antioxidant foods.

Thyme is rich in essential oils, thymol, flavonoid glycosides, mineral salts, tannins and more.

Selection and storage of thyme

- Whenever possible, choose fresh thyme instead of dried, as it is more fragrant;

- The leaves of fresh thyme should be fresh and bright greenish-gray, and the stems hard;

- Prefer organically grown thyme;

- Fresh thyme should be stored in the refrigerator in a paper towel;

- Dried thyme is stored in a glass container with a lid in a dry, cool and dark place.

Culinary use of thyme

Thyme is a spice with a specific and delicate aroma and taste, which is probably the reason why it is loved by French culinary masters. The French love the combination of thyme with a sprig of parsley and bay leaf, which is a favorite for flavoring broths, meat stews and vegetable soups.

When using thyme for cooking:

- Always add thyme at the beginning or middle of cooking to allow it to release its essential oils;

- Add thyme to your favorite sauce for spaghetti, pasta or any other type of pasta;

- Fresh thyme is a great addition to any bean dish.

- Season your soups and stews with thyme;

- When cooking or steaming fish, add a few sprigs of fresh thyme;

- Thyme is a good spice for roast meat if you want to give it a dose of sophistication.

Benefits of thyme

Thyme is known in our history of use in folk medicine in connection with respiratory problems and chest pain, including cough, bronchitis and blood flow to the chest;

- It is rich in valuable ingredients and antioxidants. Thymol is the main component of the volatile oil of thymewhose health-supporting effects have long been documented. Studies in rats have shown that thymol protects and significantly increases the percentage of healthy fats found in cell membranes and other cell structures.

- Protects against germs. The components of the volatile oil of thyme have been shown to have antimicrobial activity against certain bacteria and fungi. Staphalococcus aereus, Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli and Schigella sonnei are just some of the species against which thyme has proven its antibacterial action;

- Thyme infusion is used for gurgling or gargling; it helps with gingivitis, sore throat, toothache and periodontitis. Thyme oil very often used in dentistry;

- Thyme infusion is also a very valuable helper for people suffering from ulcers, gastritis and colitis;

- For headaches, phytotherapists recommend baths on the head with a warm infusion of thyme. After shaving, men can use a decoction of thyme, because in addition to hygiene, it has an antiseptic and refreshing effect.

Here are some of the most popular therapeutic effects of thyme:

in cough, respiratory infections, bronchitis, whooping cough.

Thyme is recognized in Germany as an official remedy for colds, respiratory infections, bronchitis and whooping cough. Thyme contains flavonoids that relax the muscles of the trachea associated with cough and inflammation.

Recipe for tea for persistent cough: Put 2 teaspoons of fresh or dried thyme in a glass of boiled water. Allow to infuse for 10 to 15 minutes. Strain and drink thyme tea.

Renowned botanist James Duke, author of The Green Pharmacy, says thyme essential oil has helped reduce back cramps.

Heart disease often occurs due to chronic inflammation, and thyme is one of the solutions that effectively fights this problem throughout the body through the strong antioxidant protection it has.

Thyme has and specific and very intense anti-inflammatory properties, which makes it an effective means of protection against cardiovascular disease. One teaspoon of dried thyme a day is enough to take advantage of these benefits.

You can put it in salads, in yogurt, on slices of bread spread with a little butter. It is suitable for any hot sandwiches or bites.

Due to its antibacterial properties with a very broad spectrum of action, thyme is useful in the treatment of skin problems and especially acne. It is even more effective than acne creams and is much better tolerated. The great benefit is that it is a natural product and does not cause allergic reactions. In addition, the anti-inflammatory component that thyme has works very well.

Bone health is very important. Thyme is an excellent source of vitamin K, calcium, iron, manganese, and other vitamins and minerals that help maintain healthy bones. One teaspoon of dried thyme consumed daily is the big secret.

One of the neglected causes of fatigue is iron deficiency. Lack of iron leads to this inexplicable state of fatigue. Thyme is a reliable source of iron and daily consumption of thyme effectively maintains this need.

Some experts recommend compresses with thyme tea and in mild cases of conjunctivitis, eye irritation caused by chemicals or contact lenses. Tea soothes inflammation, burning sensation and soothes red eyes.

Contraindications to the use of thyme

Pregnant women, patients with chronic diseases or those undergoing treatment with certain drugs should talk to their doctor before using thyme tea.

Although there are no serious side effects, depending on the person's health, this can cause some unpleasant symptoms.