step by step recipe with photos

Herbal tea or herbal drink with lemon balm, thyme or mint is an excellent alternative to traditional black or green tea, as well as coffee. This drink is a great tonic. If your immune system is weakened or you have frequent colds, then you can drink tea as a preventive measure against acute respiratory infections and acute respiratory viral infections. You can make tea sweeter by adding a little honey. If caffeine is contraindicated and you want to drink something hot, then you can drink this tea, especially in winter. To make the drink more tonic, you can still add a couple of pinches of black or green tea. You can make tea from fresh leaves or dried ones.

Ingredients

• thyme flowers
• mint leaves
• lemon balm leaves

Preparation

1. Prepare several types of fresh herbs: mint, lemon balm and thyme. Sort through the stems, separating other plants (grass) or debris.

2. Separate the mint leaves from the stems, although you can use the stems if desired.

3. Also separate the lemon balm leaves from the stems and add to the mint, pinch off the thyme flowers from the stems. Thyme leaves, stems and roots do not need to be used.

4. Place the leaves and flowers of herbs into a clean jar or large teapot. Fill with boiling water to the very top, cover with a lid to allow the tea to brew better.

5. After some time, the herbal drink will acquire a beautiful yellow-green color. You can pour into cups and drink.

Ancient healers and herbalists often used aromatic thyme to prepare medicinal potions and seasonings. The tart spirit of the Mother of God herb was scattered in churches, accompanying divine services, and thyme honey was considered a cure for all diseases. Tea with thyme gave welcome coolness in the heat and warmed the soul on chilly evenings. And now this drink is worthy of attention, because its fragrance awakens the appetite, drives away fatigue and illness. The article will tell you about its benefits, varieties, brewing methods, contraindications and recommended consumption rates.

The name of the genus Thymus comes from the Greek word incense; popularly, the grass is often called Bogoroditskaya, incense, chebarka, heather. The aroma that the tiny perennial exudes is due to the high content of essential oil rich in thymol. Wild individuals prefer to live in mountainous areas, on the forest floor of coniferous forests, and in the steppe.

They can be found in many countries with a temperate climate; their range covers almost all of Europe, Eastern Siberia, and Eurasia.
Of the more than three hundred species of the genus Thymus in folk medicine and cooking, ranks first in popularity. It is a herbaceous groundcover perennial, reaching a height of 15 cm. Thin graceful shoots spread along the ground, forming a dense dark green pad, above which capitate inflorescences of mauve tones rise. The perennial blooms long and luxuriantly, decorative for up to 30 days.

The oval leaves are equipped with a small petiole. The length of the leaf is up to 1 cm, the width is three times less. On the surface of the plates there are many glands that produce essential oil. The cultivated relatives of the Virgin Mary grass have a more attractive appearance - leaves with beautiful edging or spots and lush caps of carmine, pink and snow-white shades. It propagates well by seed and vegetative methods - by cuttings, dividing the bush.

On a note! As a spice, thyme exhibits versatility - it goes well with cheeses, meat dishes, seafood, vegetables, and fish. In some countries, even desserts are decorated with twigs, alcohol tinctures and spicy oil are prepared.

After drying, heather completely retains its beneficial properties and pleasant aroma. Raw materials are harvested during flowering. The shoots should be dried in a dark place with good ventilation. The shelf life of dried raw materials is 2 years. It is better to store in a glass container, avoiding exposure to sunlight and high humidity.

The perennial is rich in B vitamins and ascorbic acid. It has a beneficial effect on the nervous system, is a sedative, and guards the immune system. The leaves contain essential oil, the main components of which are thymol and carvacrol. The substances exhibit pronounced mucolytic, antispasmodic, antimicrobial, and anthelmintic properties.

Research has shown that pathogenic microflora have never learned to resist the bactericidal properties of incense. This property is used to treat inflammatory processes of various locations and etiologies. Thus, herbal tea based on the plant eliminates flatulence, normalizes the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, suppresses the growth of bacteria in the oral cavity, and has a beneficial effect on kidney function.

Chebarka is rich in organic acids. Ursolic acid helps restore muscle contractile function, while malic acid relieves swelling and inflammation. Coffee and chlorogenic acids are active against the herpes virus, Staphylococcus aureus, and are powerful antioxidants. The infusion contains tannins, flavonoids, saponins, bitterness, resins and a whole complex of essential microelements.

The most important property of heather is the ability to activate the mobility of cilia in the epithelial tissue of the lungs. This helps to quickly clear the respiratory tract of difficult to remove mucus. Based on the herb, the medicine Pertussin is prepared, known as an effective and affordable mucolytic.

Benefits of thyme tea for women

Due to the stimulation of smooth muscles, it has an antispasmodic effect, which eliminates pain during menstruation. Anti-inflammatory components suppress the activity of pathogenic microflora in the pelvic area and intestines.

A positive effect on lactation has been noted, since heather stimulates the flow of milk. It is important to know that concentrated infusions and decoctions are contraindicated in case of individual intolerance, allergies, or pregnancy.
Thanks to its antimicrobial properties, a drink with incense will give you energy and relieve the first symptoms of a cold. In case of a protracted course of the disease, it will help remove difficult-to-separate sputum, suppress the herpes virus in the oral cavity, and get rid of bad breath.

On a note! External use of herbal tea in the form of baths and lotions is also popular. This method of using herbal infusions will help eliminate nail fungus, dandruff, skin irritation, and strengthen nails and hair.

Healing properties for men

Men are not used to talking about their health problems, so they are more willing to resort to herbal medicine than to visit a therapist’s office. Thyme will help the stronger sex heal the following pathologies:

1. Inflammatory processes in the prostate, provoking the development of prostatitis and cancer.
2. Thanks to molybdenum and zinc, which are involved in the production of sex hormones, hormonal levels are normalized and the quality characteristics of seminal fluid are increased.
3. B vitamins reduce anxiety and stress, which helps eliminate the problem of premature ejaculation.
4. Herbal tea is effective for muscle pain caused by fatigue and diseases of the musculoskeletal system. Chebarka helps remove cholesterol, cleanse blood vessels, and normalize blood pressure.
5. For men engaged in heavy physical labor or active mental activity, a healing drink will help get rid of pain, cheer up, and strengthen the immune system.
6. Thyme tea stimulates the digestive system, promotes the absorption of fatty foods, and eliminates symptoms of flatulence.

Important! Due to the high content of thymol, a concentrated infusion of the plant can provoke vomiting.

This quality of raw materials has found application in the treatment of alcohol addiction. Getting rid of a bad habit is based on the development of a stable gag reflex with the simultaneous use of infusion and strong alcoholic drinks.

Benefits of the drink for children

This miraculous drink with incense is incredibly useful for children over 2 years old. Such age restrictions are due to the possible manifestation of allergic reactions. With moderate consumption and the absence of contraindications, tea with thyme reduces fermentation processes in the digestive tract, the immune system is strengthened, stress resistance and adaptogenic qualities of the child’s body increase.

But in most cases, this plant is still used for external use in the form of baths. This method of treatment is effective in the treatment of rickets and rheumatism, skin rashes, and hyperexcitability.

Contraindications

It should be noted that there are several varieties of thyme tea. The first group includes black or green tea, flavored with fragrant herbs, and the second group includes medicinal infusions or herbal infusions. If the drink is based on medicinal raw materials, the dosage should be strictly observed and the following contraindications should be excluded:

• the period of bearing a baby and breastfeeding;
• patient age up to two years;
• history of allergies to herbal preparations;
• pathologies of the cardiovascular system - atrial fibrillation;
• low blood pressure;
• cholesterol plaques;
• atherosclerosis, blood flow disorders;
• period of exacerbation of peptic ulcer of the stomach and duodenum;
• gastritis with high acidity;
• kidney and liver pathologies;
• bronchial asthma, pulmonary emphysema.

Another important contraindication is reduced secretion of thyroid hormones - hypothyroidism. If you take medications with creeping thyme for a long time, the production of thyroid hormones decreases.

Attention! If there are contraindications or diseases of the body’s endocrine system, you should definitely consult a doctor before taking it.

Can pregnant women drink tea with thyme?

We have already answered this question in the previous section of the article - pregnancy is a contraindication to the use of herbal infusions based on thyme. The biologically active components of the plant help to enhance the contractile activity of smooth muscles. It is this type of tissue that makes up the uterus, contractions of which can cause a miscarriage.

In addition, there may be an increase in blood pressure and dysfunction of the thyroid gland, which will adversely affect the health of the pregnant woman and the development of the fetus.

When choosing between synthetic and herbal medicines, expectant mothers often prefer the latter. Virgin Mary herb will not harm your health if you drink it correctly. By adding a pinch of dried leaves to the teapot, you simply flavor the drink.

The life-giving fragrance of heather will give you vigor and drive away the first symptoms of a cold and eliminate headaches. More concentrated tea, which is essentially an infusion, is strictly prohibited for pregnant women.

How often can you drink the drink?

If you want to improve your health with the help of natural herbal tea, the duration of use and dosage of this medicine will vary depending on the purpose of therapy. Your doctor will tell you the recommended dosage and frequency of use, because you can take the medicine only after consultation with a specialist.

If fresh or dried plant materials are used to flavor a drink based on black or green tea, the dosage will be minimal. Therefore, healthy drinks can be consumed throughout the day as usual - 2-4 cups.

By the way! Some manufacturers of tea leaves have already added fragrant thyme to it. You can easily find this product on the shelf of a large supermarket.

Tea with thyme: benefits and harms, varieties, how to brew correctly

Herbal teas are very popular because they are natural herbal medicines. If you just want to pamper yourself with an indescribable aroma, buy a regular tea leaves with thyme leaves in the supermarket. Or make your own by adding a few fresh or dried herbal leaves to your loose leaf tea. You can find raw materials for preparing infusions and herbal mixtures at a pharmacy or specialty store.

Fragrant branches go well with mint leaves, oregano, fireweed, lemon balm, coltsfoot, St. John's wort, and valerian root. The components will enrich the beneficial qualities of the plant, but it should be remembered that the list of contraindications will also expand. The composition for the herbal collection must be selected taking into account the desired effect. Let's look at a few of the most popular combinations.

Black tea with thyme properties, brewing method

Adding the Virgin Mary herb to black tea will give the drink a unique aroma. Incense will drive away fatigue, invigorate, enrich the drink with vitamins and minerals, and help overcome inflammatory processes, colds, and flatulence.

You can prepare the drink yourself or buy ready-made tea leaves in the supermarket. For brewing, it is better to use a porcelain teapot or glass French press. The dishes are first doused with boiling water and the water is drained. The number of tea leaves should be taken according to your taste. Mix the tea leaves with a pinch of heather or add the same amount of freshly harvested raw materials.

The drink should be brewed with hot, but not boiling, water. The optimal temperature is 90 degrees. The infusion time is 7 minutes. The same brewing recommendations should be followed when preparing bagged or loose black tea with chebarka.

Advice! A small amount of leaf tea added to the herbal infusion will give the drink its usual taste without affecting the beneficial qualities of the aqueous extract.

Green tea with thyme

Green tea leaves are a powerful antioxidant with a rich chemical composition. Their biologically active components prevent aging, strengthen the immune system, help lower cholesterol and improve digestion, and improve blood circulation. Vitamins and minerals will quickly boost your immunity. You need to prepare and drink it according to the recipe described above.

Infusion recipe

Verest for medicinal purposes is often used as a monocomponent for preparing an infusion. It contains an increased concentration of extractive substances, so the dosage must be strictly observed. The treatment time should not exceed two weeks, and the amount of infusion should be 50-70 ml three times a day. Both fresh and dried raw materials are suitable for its preparation. You will need 2-3 fresh branches, and a tablespoon of dried leaves. The quantity indicated is for brewing in a glass of boiling water. It should be left for 15 minutes.

Tea with thyme and oregano

Oregano shoots emit a persistent pleasant odor and contain essential oil and a number of biologically active components. Substances help resist inflammatory diseases of the urinary tract, stimulate mental activity, fight migraines, fermentation in the intestines and dry cough. Oregano has a pronounced sedative effect, so a cup of the drink before bed will make it easier to fall asleep.

Important! To the contraindications of verest there will be added a strict restriction on taking the infusion during pregnancy. It should also be taken into account that therapy has an adverse effect on potency.

Proportions for brewing: two parts of the Virgin Mary herb, one part of oregano. The herbal mixture will require a teaspoon per 400 ml of boiling water. You need to insist for 12-15 minutes, and drink half a glass twice a day.

A collection of oregano, incense, raspberry leaves and coltsfoot will help with an obsessive cough. Take a tablespoon of all ingredients, and a teaspoon of thyme per glass of boiling water. During a cold, you should drink this tea 2-3 times a day. It will quickly restore strength and strengthen the immune system, because raspberry leaves are very rich in vitamin C.

Tea with thyme and mint

Thyme and mint make a great duo, giving the hot drink healing properties. Drinking will have a beneficial effect on the health of the gastrointestinal tract. The drink will benefit those who want to get rid of extra pounds, since mint helps reduce appetite.

This wonderful plant has a sedative effect on the nervous system, helps cleanse the liver and bile ducts, normalizes blood pressure and relieves pain. To collect the herbs, you should mix them in equal parts. Brew a teaspoon of the collection in 500 ml of boiling water and leave for 15 minutes. You need to drink half a glass of the infusion before meals.

Thyme and fireweed - benefits and harm

Another excellent companion for incense is fireweed. This plant is rich in vitamins and minerals, contains essential oils, pectin, and flavonoids. These components help reduce inflammation and strengthen the immune system. The duet of these plants will help overcome insomnia and migraines, relieve swelling, get rid of cough, prostate adenoma.

The herbal infusion has a wonderful aroma and taste. To prepare it, dried herbs are mixed in equal proportions, two teaspoons are brewed in 600 ml of boiling water.

Remember! The infusion is contraindicated for glomerulonephritis, varicose veins, arrhythmia, and a tendency to form blood clots.

Melissa tea, thyme, fennel - beneficial properties

The combination of lemon balm, chebark and fennel is ideal for eliminating problems with the gastrointestinal tract and nervous system. Herbs have the following effects on the human body:

• gently soothes;
• makes it easier to fall asleep;
• stimulates digestion;
• used to prevent anemia and strengthen the immune system;
• helps get rid of colic and flatulence;
• copes well with liquefying and removing viscous sputum during flu and colds;
• stimulates breast milk production;
• reduces nausea and attacks of toxicosis.

You can easily find such a fee in a pharmacy chain. The “Babushkino Lukoshko” brand is especially popular, offering packaged tea for children from 6 months. Carefully read the instructions for use; filter bags should be brewed as recommended by the manufacturer. Among the contraindications for use are individual intolerance to the components of the herbal collection.

Thyme and lemon balm tea

Melissa leaves contain more than 200 components that make up the essential oil. The leaves have a pleasant lemon aroma. Plant raw materials contain B vitamins, carotene, and ascorbic acid. And also the most important macroelements for the body - zinc, magnesium, iron, cobalt, potassium, calcium. The plant is rich in organic acids, phenylpropanoids, tannins and coumarins, which determine its healing properties.

Important! Arterial hypotension (low blood pressure) will be added to the contraindications. Also, during treatment with the herbal medicine, you should avoid driving a car and performing potentially dangerous work, because lemon balm is a powerful sedative.

Melissa is an excellent antidepressant, allows you to get rid of pain of various etiologies, and supports the immune system. It has antiallergic and antimicrobial effects. The herb does an excellent job of normalizing heart rate and maintaining blood pressure. In combination with heather, fragrant lemon balm leaves help relieve anxiety, get rid of stress, insomnia, mood swings, and nausea due to toxicosis.

To make the collection you will need 2 parts lemon balm and one part virgin herb. A teaspoon of raw material is brewed in two glasses of boiling water, left for 15 minutes and drunk 1-2 times a day.

Where to buy, price

You can find herbal infusions and dried raw materials for making them yourself in the pharmacy chain. Ready-made herbal teas are sold in filter bags convenient for one-time brewing. The cost of such natural preparations rarely exceeds 150 rubles, and dried herbs 50-60 rubles.

As for black and green tea with a small amount of thyme (to enhance the aroma), you can buy them in stores under the brand names Tess, Alokozay, Greenfield, Ahmad, Hyley’s, Maisky, Azerchay. The price largely depends on the brand and the number of sachets in the package. Typically, the cost of such brewing is slightly more than black and green tea of ​​the same brand.

Conclusion

Tea with thyme is an excellent natural remedy that will help in the fight against various ailments. A cup of aromatic drink will invigorate you in the morning, cool you down after a hot bathhouse, and warm you up after a walk in the frost. By adding certain components to the original raw material, you will not only improve the taste characteristics of the infusion, but also its healing qualities. An interesting video for you about the medicinal properties of thyme tea.

It is no secret that young children, due to the immaturity of their immunity, often get sick. Therefore, many parents try not to give their children pharmaceutical medications without a good reason, if the opportunity allows them to be replaced with folk remedies, including medicinal herbs. Today we will talk about thyme and how and why it can help our children.

What it is

Thyme has an official name, which is better known to cooks and housewives - it is thyme, a fragrant subshrub that is one of the essential oil representatives of the flora. About 170 varieties of thyme grow in Russia, and the plant is quite unpretentious - it grows almost everywhere: in the forest, in the field, in the steppes and even on the slopes of rocks.

Thanks to its unique composition, thyme is in demand in official and alternative medicine, in cooking, cosmetology, in the canning and alcoholic beverage industries.

The plant is harvested in the summer during the period of active flowering. The stems, leaves and seed pods should be cut off. They need to be dried in a cool, ventilated place out of direct sunlight. Finished raw materials are stored for about 2 years.

You will learn more about growing, harvesting and harvesting by watching the following video.

Useful properties and contraindications

Such a wide use of the plant is due to its rich composition. It contains a lot of essential oil containing thymol, flavonoids, organic acids and tannins. In addition, thyme contains fats, B vitamins, ascorbic acid (vitamin C), mineral salts, gum, saponins and special substances that impart bitterness.

Thyme essential oil is famous not only for its specific and strong aroma, but also for the fact that it is contained in approximately the same amount both in freshly cut plant stems and in already dried herbal raw materials.

In ancient times, our ancestors called thyme “divine herb” for its incredible ability to heal even from serious ailments. And also because it was used as incense during religious services. Now thymol is obtained from thyme - a substance that is used in the compositions of anthelmintics, disinfectants, and painkillers.

To learn how thyme was used in ancient times, see the following video.

Traditional medicine has found additional uses for the plant: it is used to prepare rubs for diseases of the sciatic nerve, for radiculitis, as part of decoctions to normalize digestion, in ointments to warm the chest with a strong cough as an expectorant.

Thyme is used externally for rashes, redness, dermatitis, wounds and ulcers on the skin.

As a general tonic, the stems and leaves of thyme are brewed in herbal tea.

The pronounced anti-inflammatory effect of the plant is used in the treatment of respiratory diseases in inhalations and decoctions for drinking. The diaphoretic effect that this drink has has been used by people for a long time to reduce fever and reduce the manifestations of fever.

As a sedative and mild sleeping pill, thyme is added to tea and taken before bedtime for severe stress and various neurological disorders.

There are not many contraindications to the use of thyme, but they do exist. First of all, this is the presence of problems with the heart and blood vessels (atrial fibrillation, coronary artery disease, cardiosclerosis), cerebral atherosclerosis, kidney and liver disease, as well as functional insufficiency of the thyroid gland. Thyme is also contraindicated for gastritis, accompanied by high acidity, as well as for children with a tendency to allergies and children with an established diagnosis of bronchial asthma.

Features of use for children

Officially, thyme is not recommended for children under 3 years of age, but in practice the herb is quite successfully used locally and externally for children from 1 year of age:

• At the age of 1.5 years, it is quite possible to add thyme decoction to the bathtub.
• From 2 years of age - use inhalations with this plant with caution.
• Sometimes thyme is added to the bathtub for children under one year old, but this can only be done after prior agreement with the attending pediatrician.
• Weak decoctions are also given to babies in their first year of life.

Thyme is given to children for coughs, to relieve nervous tension, improve night sleep, to treat skin problems and to improve immunity.

The medicinal properties of the plant have long been noticed by manufacturers of products for children. Thus, among parents, children’s tea with thyme, lemon balm and fennel “Babushkino Lukoshko” is very popular. It is given to children from five months.

Instructions for use

Despite the fact that the official name of the plant is still “thyme,” you will not find it on pharmacy shelves. Thyme can be found as a spice in any grocery store. And in the pharmacy it is called “Thyme Herb”. It is sold in the form of dry plant materials in a cardboard box, as well as in the form of filter bags, which are convenient to brew and dose when treating a child.

Official medicine recognizes with great confidence expectorant properties plants, as indicated in the instructions for use, which are included in all packages of the drug. Antimicrobial and analgesic properties thyme is indicated by the manufacturer of the drug as an additional pharmacological action.

The adult dosage indicated in the instructions for the drug is not suitable for children. Kids need less concentrated decoctions and solutions.

To boost immunity

1 teaspoon of raw material is brewed in 250 mg of boiled water in a water bath. The resulting broth is filtered and diluted with water in half. Children should be given orally, depending on their age, from a teaspoon of solution (up to a year) to a third of a glass (at 3-4 years).

For dry cough

5 grams of dried herbs should be poured with 100 ml of boiled water, pre-cooled to 80 degrees. Leave covered and strain. Give a tablespoon 4-5 times a day after meals. The infusion does not help with a wet cough, as it acts on the cough center in the brain, suppressing the intensity of the reflex.

For wet cough

Homemade syrup is prepared from thyme, which in its properties and qualities is not inferior to pharmaceutical preparations. But it does not require dried herbs, but freshly cut stems and leaves of thyme. Add a bunch of fresh herbs to half a liter of water and place on low heat. Boil for as long as it takes for half the water to boil away. Then remove everything from the stove and cool.

Adults add garlic, children add honey (about 250 g). The resulting thick, viscous syrup is stored in the refrigerator for up to six months; give the child a teaspoon 4 times a day with a warm drink. The product promotes the separation of sputum.

For neurological problems, stress and insomnia

Thyme will quickly and gently calm a hyperactive baby and can be used for restless child syndrome. To prepare the drink, you need to brew 10 grams of dry raw materials in 200 ml of boiling water, leave in a thermos for about 3 hours, strain and give the baby 1-2 teaspoons before bedtime.

If your child is allergic to plant components, you can make a “sleeping bag” for him. To do this, sew a small pouch from linen fabric, put about 15 grams of dried grass in it and tie it with a lace or thick silk thread. The bag is placed next to the head of the child's bed.

For stomatitis and sore throat

An herbal infusion is prepared for topical use. A tablespoon of raw material is brewed with boiling water and left for about an hour. After filtering the infusion, you should rinse your mouth or throat at least 4 times a day.

For respiratory diseases

Children over 6 years old can rub their chest and back in the area of ​​the bronchi and lungs with an alcoholic infusion of thyme. To prepare it, 20 grams of raw materials are placed in a glass container with a tight lid and filled with alcohol or vodka so that the liquid level rises two fingers above the raw materials. Cover and refrigerate for two weeks. The resulting infusion is used for rubbing if the child is not allergic to ethyl alcohol.

You can prepare an ointment with honey and thyme, which can also be successfully used for problems with the respiratory system. To do this, brew 30 grams of herbs with boiling water (100 ml) and evaporate all the liquid over low heat, then cool, add thick honey, allow to harden and store in the refrigerator. Rub the resulting ointment onto the chest, ribs and heels for a strong non-productive cough.

Medications

1. Before you start using thyme to treat your child, do an allergy test. Apply the prepared decoction or infusion to the back of your hand and a few drops to the area behind the ear. If within 3-4 hours no redness, itching, swelling, or rash appears in these areas, thyme can be used.
2. Baths with thyme decoction should not be given to a child more than once a week. The first procedure should not last more than 3-5 minutes. You need to increase the time gradually. The maximum time for taking herbal baths is 15 minutes.
3. Rubbing and compresses with thyme should not be done if the child has an elevated body temperature at this time. Warming compresses on the chest are also contraindicated if there are impurities of pus or blood in the sputum.
4. Don't overdose thyme-based products. We can talk about it if, after taking a decoction, infusion or tea, vomiting and dizziness appear.
5. You should not experiment with thyme if you are preparing herbal tea for a newborn or infant. Thyme should not be given to such young children without the permission of the pediatrician.

Thyme leaves are small, have an oval-oblong shape, the stems are numerous, spread along the ground, and has small mauve-colored flowers. There are over 30 different types of thyme; more than ten grow in Russia.

Thyme is found almost throughout the country; it grows mainly in dry pine forests, in the steppes, as well as on the slopes of hills and hillocks. The Mediterranean coast is considered to be the birthplace of thyme. In Ancient Greece, Thyme was valued precisely for its aromatic properties. Currently, it is cultivated in many European countries, Canada and the USA.

Thyme finds its use mainly in the pharmaceutical, food, and perfume industries. Thyme is highly valued in the field of beekeeping, as the plant has excellent melliferous qualities.

The aerial parts of the plant - flowers and grass - are used as medicinal raw materials. Thyme is usually harvested during the flowering period (May - June). The tops of the plant are cut off (stems with leaves and flowers), dried in the shade under a canopy, then stored in cool, dry rooms. This, perhaps, is the whole point of harvesting this medicinal plant.

Medicinal properties of thyme. Chemical composition of the plant

Thyme contains an essential oil that contains terpenes (borneol, thymol and other biologically active substances), various organic acids (caffeic, aminolonic, quinic, etc.), flavonoids (compounds that have the ability to increase the so-called permeability blood vessels), vitamins (carotene - a precursor of vitamin A, ascorbic acid), tannins, resins (with antimicrobial and wound-healing properties), fatty oil, bitters, gum, dyes.

Thyme has antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, expectorant, wound-healing, sedative, diuretic, anticonvulsant and analgesic properties. In addition, thyme is an excellent anthelmintic, and due to the bitterness it contains, it can improve appetite.

Indications and contraindications for the use of thyme

Infusions, extracts and decoctions of thyme are used internally:

• for diseases of the upper respiratory tract, lungs and bronchi as an anti-inflammatory and expectorant;
• for throat diseases, as an antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory agent;
• for various skin diseases, also used as an anti-inflammatory agent;
• for diseases associated with the gastrointestinal tract - to restore normal appetite and normalize its functioning;
• for hypertension, as an anti-inflammatory and sedative;
• for sleep disorders and neuroses, as a sedative;
• for osteochondrosis with pinched nerves, as a sedative and analgesic;
• for edema of various origins, it is used as a diuretic;
• for tapeworms - as an anthelmintic.
• Externally, thyme infusions are taken to combat various skin diseases, to treat wounds, various diseases of muscles and joints, and peripheral nerves. As a rule, external treatment with thyme is carried out in the form of baths, lotions, and compresses.

Preparations made from thyme have contraindications for acute inflammatory diseases of the kidneys and liver, decreased thyroid function, gastric and duodenal ulcers, during pregnancy and while breastfeeding.

Infusions and decoctions are prepared from thyme:

Recipe for preparing thyme infusion for oral administration: take half a tablespoon of crushed dried raw material, pour a glass of boiling water, leave in a water bath for about 30 minutes, then filter, add to the original level. A similar decoction is taken in a third of a glass, three times a day before meals, as a sedative and expectorant;

Another infusion of thyme for external use: 2 tbsp. spoons of raw materials per 1 glass of boiling water, all this is infused in a water bath for about half an hour, filtered and used as lotions, compresses and rinses;

Thyme for the bathroom. Infusion: 1-1.5 cups of crushed thyme, pour 1 liter of boiling water, leave in a water bath for 30 minutes, strain and squeeze everything out. The resulting infusion can be added to the bath.

Since all infusions tend to spoil quickly, it is best to prepare them daily or store them in the refrigerator, preferably no more than two days.

It is quite easy to find a drug in the pharmacy - pertussin, which contains thyme extract. This drug is used as an expectorant.

Thyme is an excellent herbal remedy.

Contraindications to the use of infusions, remedies and preparations based on thyme: pregnancy, peptic ulcer of the stomach and duodenum, liver and kidney diseases, cardiac decompensation, hypofunction of the thyroid gland.

Tea with lemon balm and thyme

2 teaspoons black long tea (12 g)
1 teaspoon dried thyme (6 g)
1 teaspoon dry lemon balm (6 g)
sugar to taste
How to make tea with lemon balm and thyme:

1. Thyme, tea, and lemon balm are placed in a teapot, filled with boiling water to 0.4 of its volume, then infused for 5 minutes.

2. Fill the teapot completely with boiling water and continue to steep for 3-5 minutes.

3. Pour the drink into cups, add sugar to each cup.

Drink with thyme

Ingredients:

Thyme - 20 g
St. John's wort - 25 g
Honey - 50 g
Water - 1 l
Dried St. John's wort and thyme are poured with water, boiled for 10 minutes, then the broth is allowed to stand for 2-3 hours. The broth is filtered, honey is added to it, as a rule, it should be cooled before use.

“Babushkino Lukoshko” tea with lemon balm, thyme and fennel is intended for young children. This product is of interest to mothers of babies because it has a sedative effect and also helps fight infant colic. Today we will talk about this tea. What’s special about it, how to brew it, how to take it for children and adults. User reviews will also be presented to readers.

Composition of children's tea "Babushkino Lukoshko"

The manufacturer states that the tea contains herbs:

1. Melissa.
2. Thyme.
3. Fennel.

All these plants are valuable for young children; they are often used in medications for tummy cramps, coughs, and others. What properties do they have? Melissa calms and improves sleep quality. A similar effect is observed from thyme, only this plant is also an excellent antiseptic. What can we say about fennel? This plant can improve digestion, relieve spasms and prevent increased gas formation.

The packaging contains information that children from five months are allowed to take this drink. It does not contain sugar and GMOs.

How to brew tea correctly?

It is recommended to brew children's tea this way. One bag containing 1 gram of herbs is poured with boiling water (100-150 ml), the drink is allowed to brew for about 5 minutes, after which the bag is removed from the cup. The tea should cool to a warm state. Children over one year old are recommended to drink no more than 1-2 servings per day. Children under one year old – one cup (up to 150 ml) per day.

Product reviews

Most users respond positively to Babushkino Lukoshko tea with lemon balm, thyme and fennel; they note a pleasant, slightly tart taste and a positive effect on the nervous system. But why be unfounded if readers themselves can read reviews about it from a variety of people.

This is what the girl writes under the nickname Madame Karamelkina on one of the review sites: “My daughter used to really like the vegetable and fruit purees of the Babushkino Lukoshko TM.” When she grew up a little, I decided to try giving her teas from this brand. It tastes very pleasant, aromatic, my daughter likes it. I didn’t notice that the baby fell asleep better after taking it, but I will still buy this product, as it is really natural and tasty.”

Sofija girl writes: “I buy “Babushkino Lukoshko” tea with herbs lemon balm, thyme and fennel all the time for my son. He likes it, he drinks it with pleasure, but to me it doesn’t smell or taste at all, it’s very weak. This drink is probably not suitable for an adult. It does not particularly affect the quality of sleep. I won’t say anything about colic, since my son has already outgrown this period.”

Faith expresses himself on one of the forums: “My son’s colic has long gone away, he is 6 months old, but sometimes it happens that he gets bloated after eating fruit puree or an apple. On such days, I brew for him tea for children with “Grandma’s Basket” herbs. It helps a little, after about an hour the anxiety goes away. This drink also helped us with a cold, when a slight cough began. During this period, we drank tea every morning and evening and quickly recovered. I drink it myself, but I brew it stronger when I feel irritated.”

Anna speak t: “Completely tasteless tea, too tart. My daughter grimaces when she drinks it, even if I dilute it greatly.”

As you can see, people's reviews of the product are generally positive. Users note the following advantages:

1. Pleasant taste.
2. Natural composition.
3. No GMOs, sugar, dyes.
4. Light herbal aroma.
5. Help with bloating.
6. Help with cough.
7. Cute packaging design.
8. Ease of use.

Some people also note negative sides:

1. High cost (compared to regular teas).
2. Astringency.
3. Does not have a calming effect.

Useful information for parents

“Babushkino Lukoshko”, like tea, is in demand because children like it. It is completely natural and does not contain any harmful additives. However, do not forget that some children may be allergic to herbs. Therefore, for the first time, the child needs to be given just a little drink to try, literally a few spoons. After this, parents should observe the reaction of the baby’s body for 24 hours. If a rash is detected on the body, the child is no longer offered this drink.

This information cannot be ignored, since tea contains three types of plant materials, each of which contains essential oils, and they are known to cause allergies in some children.

If no negative manifestations are found after taking the tea, you can safely offer it to a baby who has reached the age of five months, but it is important to follow the manufacturer’s recommendations not to exceed the dosage indicated on the package.

We reviewed reviews of TM “Babushkino Lukoshko” tea, which has won many fans among parents and their children. According to users, this is a noteworthy product with a natural composition, pleasant taste and smell. The kids like it, and that's the main thing.

Olga Samoilova, author of “Popular about health” (www.site)