Common thyme , whose other names are thyme, or thyme, is a herb known to mankind for thousands of years. Centuries ago, herbalists usedhealing properties of thymeThyme has also become a popular spice, which is included in, among others. Provencal herb mixtures. Find out more about theuse of thymeand the secrets ofgrowing thyme in the gardenand in a pot.
Common thyme - Thymus vulgaris
Growing thyme
Thyme(Thymus vulgaris) is a perennial herb native to the Mediterranean. Currently, however, it is cultivated in many regions of the world. In our country, the main problem in the cultivation of thyme is the low frost resistance of this plant, which is why it is often grown as an annual.
Sowing thyme seeds
Thyme is grown from seedlings. In order to obtain thyme seedlings, the seeds are sown in late March and early April in boxes in a frost-free room or in an inspection room. When sowing, the seeds should be placed at a depth of 0.5 cm. The sunrises appear after 10 - 14 days.
You can also try to sow thyme seeds directly into the ground. Then we do it in the second half of April. We sow about 0.5 g of thyme seeds per 1 m² in rows every 30 cm.
Thyme - planting, growing in the garden
The obtained thyme seedlings can be planted into the ground when the risk of frost has passed, i.e. in the second half of May.If we have not sown the seeds, you can also buy ready-made seedlings during this time.Thyme seedlingsshould be 6 to 10 cm high. We plant them at a distance of 30 x 40 cm.
Underthe cultivation of thyme in the gardenshould be set in a sunny and warm place, sheltered from winds. The soil should be fertile but quite airy, rich in humus, preferably calcareous. While the plants are growing, weeds should be removed from the inter-rows and remember to water.
If you wantto overwinter on a flower bed , you need to cover it with leaves, straw or a tuna for the winter. Then you also have to remember not to cut the shoots for the herb harvest from August, because the late pruned ones will be more prone to freezing.
Thyme - home cultivation
Thyme can also be grown in pots all the time, in which it will grow well on the balcony or terrace. Then we sow the thyme seeds at home, 3 pcs. In the pot at the turn of March and April, and from the end of May we put the seedling outside, remembering to harden it first.We care for herbs on the balcony as in the ground, by weeding and watering them regularly. If the thyme is to be grown for several years, put the pots in a frost-free room in November. It is best to store the plants in the temperature of 10-15 ° C during the winter. For this time, we limit watering, because the plants will go into a state of rest.
Thyme - harvest and storage
From June to September, the flowering, top, non-lignified parts of the thyme shoots are harvested as herbal material, cutting them about 10 cm above the ground. In practice, harvesting is most often carried out at the beginning of flowering, in June, just before flowering, then in August.
When preparingthyme herb for storage , dry it by spreading a thin layer on parchment in an airy, shaded and, of course, dry place. Some also hang shoots tied in bunches. Then they should be crushed to separate the lignified fragments.This can be done by wiping through a sieve. Prepared in this waydried thyme herbstored tightly closed, in a dry place, away from light.
Thyme - healing properties, application
Thymecontains valuable substances which give it its healing properties. These include essential oil, tannins, flavonoids, triterpene and polyphonic acids, as well as saponins and mineral s alts. Thanks to the content of these substances, thyme herb has a bactericidal, fungicidal and expectorant effect. It is used to treat coughs, throat ailments, and to improve appetite and digestion.
Thyme herb infusionsare mainly used to rinse the mouth and throat, as disinfectants and anti-inflammatory agents. The thyme herb can also be used for therapeutic baths or compresses for seborrhea, acne, and eczema. Most often for these purposes, thyme is combined with other herbs with antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, e.g.chamomile and sage. The thyme herb is also used to prepare hair rinses.
To prepareskin regenerating thyme bath , pour 100 g of dried thyme herb into 5 liters of warm water and cook, covered, for about 3 minutes. Then set aside for a quarter of an hour and strain. Next, the herbs prepared in this way are placed in a canvas bag and together with the decoction placed in a bath filled with water at a temperature of about 37 ° C. The bath should not last longer than 15 minutes.
In the kitchen,thyme is usedas a seasoning for meats, sauces, salads and soups.
Thyme should be planted in the gardenalso because it is a honey plant, which is a valuable resource for bees. Thecultivation of thyme as an ornamental plant is also becoming more and more popularIt is perfect for rockeries and for decorating garden walls, on which it looks great when covered with its small, lilac-pink flowers. Thyme flowers may appear from May to September, and even to the beginning of October.In the vegetable garden, it is worth planting thyme near the lettuce and cabbage, because its smell scares off snails and butterflies. Anyway, sometimes it is worth rubbing a fragment of thyme shoot between your fingers to feel its sharp, spicy aroma.
