We use thyme: the main medicinal properties and contraindications. Healing thyme tea: benefits and harms for various categories of people, as well as principles for choosing a good product

Homemade herbal teas can bring tangible health benefits. It is not difficult to cook them, you can prepare raw materials for them on your own, or you can buy it in dried form at the nearest pharmacy. Today we will discuss the beneficial properties of thyme and mint tea and the contraindications of the drink in a little more detail.

Thyme mint tea combines the unique qualities of two different plants. It has a complex effect on the body and can benefit different categories of the population.

Such a drink contains the active substance thymol, which has antiseptic and antifungal properties, respectively, its consumption helps to quickly recover from various health problems and improve the functioning of the immune system.

Tea with thyme and mint is a source of many antioxidant elements. These active substances are able to neutralize free radicals, prolonging life, slowing down the aging process, improving the activity of vital organs and even preventing cancer.

There is evidence that tea with thyme and mint saturates the body with iron, which helps to deliver oxygen to all cells of our body. Another such healing drink contains potassium and manganese, which bring invaluable benefits to the heart, preventing atherosclerosis, reducing the likelihood of a stroke with a heart attack, as well as coronary heart disease. Tea with thyme and mint can be a real find for people with hypertension. Its consumption helps to relax blood vessels and lower blood pressure.

Tea with thyme and mint has a positive effect on the activity of the visual apparatus. This healthy drink helps maintain visual acuity in old age and prevents cataracts.

In addition, the periodic consumption of aromatic drinks helps to quickly remove toxins from the body, improve digestion processes, and get rid of excessive swelling.

And tasty and healthy tea is valued for its pronounced soothing qualities. It is recommended to drink it for sleep disorders, neuroses, nervous excitement and overwork. In order for the drink to have an even more pronounced effect, you can add valerian to it.

Contraindications

It is better not to drink tea with thyme and mint for those who are worried about allergies to these plants. You should not get involved in such a drink during pregnancy and breastfeeding (without the approval of the attending physician), with low pressure (hypotension) and disorders in the digestive tract (heartburn, gastritis, ulcers, etc.). It is better not to give tea with mint and thyme to small children (under the age of twelve), in addition, such drinking is not recommended for women with varicose veins and people with serious disorders in the activity of the liver or kidneys.

In the article we discuss tea with thyme - benefits and indications for use, recipes for the treatment of various diseases, contraindications and side effects. You will learn how to prevent colds with thyme tea, get rid of insomnia and nervous excitement, and solve problems with the gastrointestinal tract.

Thyme or creeping thyme is a small shrub with thin trunks, small green leaves and pink-purple flowers. In folk medicine, the aerial part of the plant is used, from which decoctions and teas are made.

Tea with thyme is good for the body

The beneficial properties of tea with thyme are explained by its chemical composition:

• iron - stimulates the growth of red cells in the blood, promotes oxygen saturation of internal organs;
• manganese and potassium - have a positive effect on the cardiovascular system, relax blood vessels and lower blood pressure;
• carotenoids - prevent the development of cataracts;
• vitamin C - strengthens the immune system;
• vitamin B - improves mood and relieves stress.

What is thyme tea good for?

Decoctions and teas with thyme help with the following diseases:

• rheumatism;
• diseases of the joints and muscles;
• hypovitaminosis;
• colds;
• lung diseases;
• hypertension;
• prostatitis;
• neurosis and depression;
• gastritis;
• diabetes;
• kidney disease;
• stomach colic;
• peptic ulcers of the stomach.

Thyme tea recipes

You can use fresh or dried thyme to brew tea.

In tea with thyme, the beneficial properties and contraindications are the same both when using fresh raw materials and dried herbs. Procurement conditions change:

1. Choose fresh thyme without spots or yellowing.
2. To keep thyme longer, lightly dampen a paper towel, wrap the herb in it, and refrigerate.
3. When drying thyme, lay it out in the shade in a thin layer and turn occasionally until the herb is dry and brittle.
4. Store dry raw materials in a glass container with a tight-fitting lid in a dark, cool room. Shelf life - up to 6 months.

Be careful with the dosage of thyme in tea. Do not consume more than 1 teaspoon of the herb per glass. To enhance the thyme flavor, add mint or honey.

The course of treatment should not last longer than 2 weeks in a row. Be sure to take a break for 2-3 months, otherwise you will provoke a hypofunction of the thyroid gland.

If you are taking medication while taking thyme, check with your doctor to see if thyme tea is good for you. The components in the composition of the plant do not combine well with certain drugs.

Green tea with thyme

Green tea has high antioxidant properties and protects the body from aging. When drinking green tea with thyme, the beneficial properties of the drink are even stronger, providing a tonic and anti-inflammatory effect.

Ingredients:

1. Green tea leaves - 1 tsp
2. Thyme herb - 1 tsp
3. Water (boiling water) - 2 cups.

How to cook: Mix green tea with thyme and pour boiling water at a temperature not higher than 90 degrees. Infuse the drink for 5 minutes, then filter.

How to use: Take ⅓ cup of tea two to three times a day.

Result: Green tea with thyme facilitates breathing and relieves spasms when coughing, protects the immune system, has a diuretic effect and removes toxins from the body, replenishes the vitamin and mineral composition, reduces blood cholesterol and improves blood circulation, relieves headaches.

Black tea with thyme

With regular use of black tea with thyme, the beneficial properties of the herb will help to cope with colds, vitamin deficiency and loss of strength.

Ingredients:

1. Black tea leaves - 1 tsp
2. Thyme herb - 1 tsp
3. Water (boiling water) - 1 cup.

How to cook: Scald a teapot or glass cup with water, drain the water, add tea and thyme and pour boiling water over it. Close the bowl and infuse for 5-7 minutes. Strain the tea through a strainer or cheesecloth folded in several layers.

How to use: Drink two to three times a day for ⅓ cup.

Result: Black tea with thyme improves immunity, warms in winter and quenches thirst in hot summer. Thanks to essential oils, the benefits of thyme in tea are increased due to the tonic effect - thymol stimulates the growth of brain cells, helps to concentrate and improves mental activity.

vitamin tea

To restore a depleted body during spring beriberi, take vitamin tea from thyme - the benefits of thyme will be especially noticeable if sources of vitamin C such as lingonberry leaves and rose hips are added to the drink.

Ingredients:

1. Thyme herb - 1 tsp
2. Rose hips - 1 tbsp.
3. Lingonberry leaves - 1 tbsp.
4. Water (boiling water) - 2 cups.

How to cook: Grind the wild rose in a blender, pour thyme and lingonberries to it and scald with boiling water. Put the mixture on low heat and cook for 5 minutes. remove the container from the heat and infuse for 2-3 hours. Filter with gauze.

How to use: Take ½ cup warm three times a day.

Result: Lingonberry, thyme and rosehip add energy and vigor, increase the content of vitamin C, quickly cope with SARS and flu. If you regularly drink vitamin tea with thyme during the season of colds, the properties of vitamin C help the body resist viruses.

sedative collection

With nervous excitement, insomnia and overwork, such beneficial properties of thyme tea as sedative and stimulating are manifested.

Ingredients:

1. Thyme herb - 1 tbsp.
2. Valerian root - 1 tbsp
3. Peppermint - 1 tbsp
4. Water (boiling water) - 1 cup.

How to cook: Grind mint, thyme and valerian, pour boiling water and wait 20 minutes. Strain the soothing collection through several layers of gauze.

How to use: Take a decoction three times a day for ⅓ cup.

Result: The main benefit of tea with thyme, mint and valerian is the ability to relieve depression. The drink has a beneficial effect on the nervous system, removes anxiety and irritability, stimulates brain processes, and improves sleep.

Gastric collection

Knowing how useful tea with thyme and mint is, doctors often prescribe it for diseases of the stomach and intestines.

Ingredients:

1. Thyme herb - ½ tsp
2. Cumin - ½ tsp
3. Mint - ½ tsp
4. Centaury - ½ tsp
5. Water (boiling water) - 1 cup.

How to cook: Mix a collection of medicinal herbs in a glass container and pour boiling water over it. Infuse the mixture for 20 minutes, then strain through cheesecloth.

How to use: Drink tea ⅓ cup three times a day.

Result: The medicine eliminates intestinal colic, heartburn and bloating, improves appetite with regular intake of tea with thyme - the effect of the drink is based on its antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties.

For more information about thyme, see the video:

Contraindications and possible harm

Thyme tea has the following contraindications:

• atherosclerosis of cerebral vessels;
• myocardial infarction;
• atrial fibrillation;
• progressive cardiosclerosis;
• decompensation of cardiac activity;
• thyroid disease;
• stomach ulcer.

Be careful with herbs during pregnancy and lactation. If you use thyme in high concentration, it brings both benefits and harm - tea with thyme calms the expectant mother, while causing bleeding and can provoke a miscarriage or premature birth. Thyme also stimulates lactation, but the active essential oils in the composition of the herb enter the child's body along with milk and can develop allergies.

An allergic reaction can also occur in an adult. Symptoms include difficulty breathing, chest pain, swollen joints, or a skin rash. If you experience these symptoms after drinking thyme tea, contact your doctor immediately.

What to remember

1. Tea with thyme effectively treats colds, diseases of the stomach and intestines, depression and nervous overexcitation, prostatitis and diabetes.
2. For colds and exhaustion, take green and black tea with thyme.
3. Vitamin tea helps with a lack of vitamin C in the body.
4. If you have insomnia, try tea with mint, thyme, and valerian.
5. For the treatment of heartburn and flatulence, make a gastric collection.

Among the many medicinal herbs used in folk and official medicine, thyme is one of the most popular, it is on a par with chamomile, wild rose, calendula and St. John's wort. The benefits of thyme for men, women, children are noted. Most often it is used as an expectorant for diseases of the upper and lower respiratory tract - laryngitis, tracheitis, bronchitis. Infusions and decoctions of thyme help to cope with "male problems", have an antitoxic effect on the human body, helping to fight alcoholism.

natural healer

Thyme, aka thyme (not to be confused with cumin) is a perennial undersized shrub that has many inflorescences that are attractive to bees. During the season, these workers collect up to 15 kg of honey from flowers. The plant bears fruit in boxes with four oval dark-colored nuts. For the preparation of raw materials, leaves, flowers and thin stems of thyme are used. After drying, the herb is crushed and sieved to remove thick, woody stems unsuitable for medicinal use.

Thyme grass contains tannins, which have a pronounced astringent effect. It has bactericidal, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, has a positive effect on the human body. Thyme is used in the treatment of stomatitis, tonsillitis, nasopharyngitis, gingivitis. To eliminate painful symptoms, an infusion of herbs is used, which is used to rinse the gums and throat. This procedure moisturizes and disinfects the oral cavity.

The use of infusions, decoctions and tea with thyme helps in reducing the secretory function of the intestine, in the fight against diarrhea, flatulence. The benefits of using thyme decoctions and herbal baths in the complex treatment of prostatitis, erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation in men were noted. The trace elements included in the composition help testosterone production. Weekly baths with essential oil or thyme infusion help to get rid of psychological stress, fatigue, having a beneficial effect on "male strength".

Remedy for ailments

The effect of thyme on people who abuse alcohol has been proven. It contains thymol, a phenolic compound, with excessive use of which, together with ethanol, there are signs of poisoning - nausea and vomiting. Currently, thyme infusion is the most commonly used natural drug to combat the initial stage of alcoholism. It is important not to overdo it in an effort to cure the patient, the harm of such a method may be greater than the expected benefit. Perhaps a serious disorder in the human body, leading to dangerous consequences for him.

Cold compresses are used for cuts and burns. To do this, brew thyme herb with boiling water and leave to infuse for at least 10 minutes. The use of such a compress will relieve inflammation, soothe the wound. Tannins will contribute to the speedy recovery of damaged skin, will not cause any harm, because they are a natural natural antiseptic. With insect bites and skin itching, such compresses with thyme are also effective.

Thyme is also used in complex therapy for the treatment of women. Its anti-inflammatory properties have been used in the prevention of painful menstruation, inflammation of the appendages, cystitis and pyelonephritis. Many women buy thyme essential oils for cosmetic purposes as a natural alternative to synthetic creams and tonics. Homemade masks and lotions based on it are rich in flavonoids, ursolic and oleanolic acids, which have a beneficial effect on tissue regeneration. At the same time, homemade masks do not contain preservatives, thickeners and other substances that cause considerable harm to the body of women.

You can brew thyme herb to rinse your head in the fight against hair loss, this problem is relevant for pregnant and lactating women who are deficient in calcium. Daily rubbing of the skin of the face and neck with a decoction of the leaves stimulates the restoration of skin cells, creates an antioxidant effect, relieving the skin from the harm of the aggressive environment of megacities.

Despite the many useful properties of thyme, there are some limitations to its use:

1. The plant is contraindicated in pregnant and lactating women. Ingestion is not recommended due to the possibility of increasing the tone of the uterus and the lack of clinical data. The use of thyme for cosmetic purposes is unlimited and even beneficial.
2. Thyme infusion, used for oral administration, is contraindicated in children under 12 years of age. For the treatment of cough in babies, ready-made syrups containing herbal extracts are used. They are preferable for taking in mild forms of the disease than chemical drugs.
3. Thyme is contraindicated in functional disorders of the kidneys and liver, gastritis with high acidity, gastric and duodenal ulcers. Substances that make up its composition can be harmful during the period of exacerbation of these diseases.
4. With a tendency to allergies and individual intolerance to the medicinal plant.
5. The use of thyme is not recommended for violations of the thyroid gland, high blood pressure, because it is able to increase it with prolonged use.

Before using thyme infusions, it is necessary to consult a doctor: uncontrolled use of any medicines can cause not only benefits, but also harm to health. Do not be ill!

From this article you will learn about the benefits and possible harms of thyme tea, how it should be brewed, contraindications and much more.

Thyme- a perennial plant, its height is 5-40 cm. It has thin stems that spread along the ground. The flowers and leaves of this shrub are small, small. The leaves are oval and green in color, and the flowers are pinkish-purple, located in bunches at the ends of the branches. During the flowering period, and this is June-August, thyme attracts a large number of bees and butterflies, as it is quite fragrant at this time.

Thyme grows in the European part of Russia, the Caucasus, Kazakhstan, Western Siberia, Transbaikalia, Ukraine. This grass prefers sandy soil, so it is easy to find it on the slopes of ravines or gullies, as well as in forests.

History reference

This is an unpresentable plant at first glance, which also has a name. thyme, has been respected since ancient times. Often it is mentioned in folklore, in ancient herbalists and in the works of ancient authors (Aristotle, Plutarch). It was regularly used in folk medicine as a sedative, anticonvulsant and diuretic, and was actively treated for whooping cough, stomach cramps, and neuralgia. For rheumatism, it was used in the form of lotions.

Benefits of thyme tea

Thyme is endowed with a wide variety of useful properties, as it has a rare composition. Stems and leaves contain:

1. various resins;
2. flavonoids;
3. tannins;
4. organic acids;
5. thymol;
6. cymol;
7. vitamins B and C.

Due to its content, thyme has a unique, memorable smell.

Our next article will talk about, types and varieties, how to drink it properly and much more.

About how to brew mate tea correctly and what benefits and harms it brings in itself - in.

Medicinal properties

Tea with thyme is an excellent remedy in the fight against many diseases and ailments:

1. With colds and flu, this tea is very useful to use, because it is able to overcome any virus.
2. With pneumonia and bronchitis, it has an expectorant effect.
3. Also, tea brewed on the basis of thyme has a beneficial effect on the human nervous system. With a feeling of weakness, if depression covers, then this fragrant, tonic drink will have its beneficial effect. Such tea can not only bring a person out of a state of depression, but is also often used after brain injuries, during rehabilitation.
4. Traditional medicine effectively uses brewed thyme in the treatment of cystitis and prostatitis, and also helps to improve the health of those who suffer from sand or kidney stones.
5. It is also possible to eliminate bad breath from the oral cavity, improve the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract with the help of this drink.

1. Men suffering from potency problems should drink at least one cup a day of this healing tea. This beneficial effect is easily explained by the content of zinc in thyme, which has a very good effect on human reproductive function. There are many examples when men were cured of this unpleasant disease with the help of ordinary thyme tea.
2. There is an opinion that a person develops a complete aversion to alcoholic beverages with prolonged use of this tea.
3. Black tea with thyme has a pronounced tonic effect and is perfect for people engaged in mental work. It is able to eliminate fatigue and increase efficiency.
4. Such a childhood infection as whooping cough is still treatable with thyme. In this case, a liquid extract from the leaves is used. Thyme is included in the drug Pertussin, which softens and reduces coughing attacks in bronchitis and whooping cough.

In the cold season, it perfectly warms, and in summer it quenches thirst.

Tea Brewing Recipes

For weight loss

In the fight against excess weight, you can use a fairly easy tea recipe. In a glass of water, put 1 tablespoon of thyme and a few mint leaves. After boiling water, reduce the fire to a minimum and simmer for 5-7 minutes. Next, the tea container must be removed from the stove and wrapped in a towel for 10-15 minutes. After straining, the tea is ready to drink. It is recommended to drink it throughout the day.

To get rid of pain

To achieve a sedative or anticonvulsant effect, as well as to get rid of pain, it is recommended to brew tea according to a different recipe: pour thyme together with green leaf tea into a teapot, pour boiling water up to half and leave for 5 minutes, then add the remaining boiling water and strain.

From cough

Thyme, brewed with green tea, softens the breath, calms the cough and has an anti-inflammatory effect. In these cases, the recipe will be as follows: pour a few tablespoons of chopped thyme into the teapot and pour 250 ml of boiling water. Heat the resulting mixture in a water bath for 15 minutes. Drink a glass of cooled broth in three divided doses.

For healthy skin

Another drink recipe helps improve skin condition. It is brewed in the form of ordinary tea, but with the addition of sweet clover, rosemary, chamomile, coltsfoot, thyme, lemon balm and lavender. Everything is required in equal parts. This type of tea can be used several times a day for 150 ml.

For the throat

To treat problems with the throat, you just need to pour boiling water over a few sprigs of thyme. After the tea is ready and cools down a bit, you should add honey to taste and drink the resulting drink all day in small quantities.

When to Harvest Thyme for Tea

The best time to harvest thyme is flowering period, i.e. June to August. It is then that it is more fragrant and the tea is rich and with a pleasant smell. It is better to collect thyme in dry weather in the morning, because. when wet, it quickly rots. It should be torn off very carefully so as not to be uprooted.

Thyme is dried in the shade right in the open air, constantly turning it over. You can store it in glass containers with well ground lids. Sometimes it is recommended to check the condition of the grass in order to dry it if necessary.

In the next post, you will learn everything about rooibos tea: what plant it is made from, how it is produced, the benefits and possible harms of rooibos tea, etc. Read more.

Contraindications

With all the variety of useful actions, thyme also has contraindications. It should not be used by people with gallbladder problems, peptic ulcers and gastritis.. The flavones that make up this herb are incompatible with some drugs. This should be taken into account during drug treatment and consult with your doctor about the compatibility of thyme with drugs.

With frequent constipation, you should also abandon the use of this herb, as it contains tannins.

Essential oils, which this plant is rich in, not only increase appetite, but also have an irritating effect on the walls of the stomach and intestines. Therefore, thyme is not recommended for those who suffer from colitis, hepatitis, cholecystitis, acute nephritis.

Thyme is especially contraindicated in patients with atrial fibrillation, atherosclerosis, hypertensive patients, people with heart disease, as well as pregnant and lactating women.

Thyme is undoubtedly a miracle herb with healing properties. It is worth listening to the advice of traditional medicine and applying the above recipes, because they are time-tested and always help a person in getting rid of many diseases.

Thyme (thyme, thyme) is a very fragrant shrub or shrub. Refers to essential oil plants. Distributed throughout Eurasia, with the exception of the tropical zone, it is also found in the North African region and in Greenland. Has a huge number of species. It has long been famous for its medicinal properties.

What are thyme leaves and stems rich in?

Thyme contains 0.1-0.6% essential oils, which are very helpful for colds. The main component of essential oils, thymol (30%), acts as an excellent anthelmintic, disinfectant and analgesic substance.

It is also noted that the plant contains tannins, gum, resins, minerals, a small amount of natural dyes.

Did you know? The ancient Egyptians used thyme for mummification.

Benefits of thyme tea

Common Benefits of Thyme Tea:

• tones;
• restores vigor to the body;
• normalizes the nervous system;
• removes headaches;
• returns appetite;
• supports the immune system;
• improves the condition of the skin and hair.

For women

In addition to the fact that thyme has excellent anti-cold and antiviral properties, he is also an excellent assistant in solving a number of gynecological problems. It can be prescribed when an inflammatory process is detected in the appendages, with, with uterine bleeding, with hormonal disruptions during menopause. It also helps to get rid of, improves lactation, is a good diuretic.

For men

Thyme is indispensable for the male body. It helps to overcome inflammatory and infectious processes in the genitourinary system, reduces swelling in prostatitis and facilitates urination. The minerals that make up the plant stimulate the body's production of testosterone, which in turn eliminates erectile dysfunction. Also, mineral elements affect the quality of sperm and can prolong the onset of ejaculation.

thyme is wonderful sedative, so many sexual problems will be solved on a psychological level.

Thyme infusions help to cope with alcoholism. Thymol, entering the body, causes it to reject alcohol, causing vomiting.

Did you know? Roman and Scottish warriors took thyme baths before battles, as it was believed that the plant gives a man strength and courage.

Can pregnant women drink

Pregnant women should be as careful as possible when using thyme. Doctors have not yet been able to come to a consensus: is the plant useful for expectant mothers or harmful. Many believe that it can increase the tone of the uterus, which can lead to premature birth.

Therefore, only a doctor, based on the clinical picture of a pregnant woman, can decide whether she needs to take thyme, or is it better to refrain from it. Self-treatment with decoctions from the plant is contraindicated.

Potential Harm

Harm from thyme is possible if it is abused. So, an excessive passion for decoctions and infusions from a plant may not calm, but, on the contrary, excite the nervous system, thereby provoking the appearance of insomnia and. It can also cause a decrease in blood sugar when combined with alcohol. When taking certain medicines, you should consult your doctor about the compatibility of thyme with them, as it can affect the effect of medicines.

In addition, you need to be sure that the plant is collected in an environmentally friendly place, away from the highway and industries, since thyme is able to absorb all toxic substances. And with excessive use of decoctions, these substances will accumulate in the body, causing negative changes.

Contraindications

• small children, up to 2 years;
• pregnant women;
• people with severe kidney and liver problems;
• people with ulcers, gastritis and other diseases of the gastrointestinal tract;
• people who have problems with going to the toilet "in a big way";
• diabetics, heart patients, allergy sufferers, asthmatics;
• people with thyroid problems.

How to make tea with thyme: the best recipes

Herbalists are constantly arguing about how best to brew tea with thyme. Some say that the plant must be brewed alone, without additives, otherwise its beneficial properties will be lost. Others, on the contrary, say that the addition of other medicinal plants enhances the beneficial properties of thyme. They only agreed on one thing. It is recommended to brew thyme in glass or porcelain teapots, pouring hot, but not boiling water over the leaves.

"Classic" recipe

The classic decoction recipe is used for those accompanied by a dry cough, for problems with the gastrointestinal tract, for fatigue and insomnia. It is used both as a prophylactic against seasonal viral diseases and simply for maintenance.
To make a decoction, you need to take two teaspoons of dried thyme. We put them in a teapot and pour a glass of hot water (90 degrees). We wait 15 minutes and express. We use a third of a glass three times a day.

Important! It is advisable to prepare a new decoction every day.

Green tea with thyme

This drink acts as a tonic and anti-inflammatory agent. Helps to overcome digestive problems, eases the course of colds.

To make a drink, you need to brew regular green tea. Then add a pinch of dry thyme to it and insist for five minutes. Optionally, you can drink with honey or.

Black tea with thyme

Thyme added to black tea improves the tonic properties of the former. It is added in a small amount, so you can drink such tea in almost unlimited quantities. Tea can be brewed in a cup or teapot. Take a serving of tea leaves and add a pinch of thyme. Pour the mixture with hot water (90 degrees). Cover and wait five minutes. Strain and dilute with the required amount of water.