Thyme, also known as poejo or thymus, is an aromatic herb that, in addition to being used in cooking for flavor and aroma, also has medicinal properties in its leaves, flowers and oil, which can be used to treat problems such as bronchitis and cough.
Its proven effects, when used alone or in combination with other herbs, are:
- Combat bronchitis, improving symptoms such as cough and fever, also stimulating expectoration;
- Relieve coughs by containing properties that relax throat muscles;
- Combat infections in the mouth and ear, through the use of its essential oil.
The scientific name of thyme is Thymus vulgaris and it can be purchased in its fresh or dehydrated form at natural products stores, handling pharmacies, market fairs and markets. See other home remedies for coughing, including for children.
How to Use Thyme to Fight Cough
The used parts of the thyme are its seeds, flowers, leaves and essential oil, in the form of seasoning, for immersion baths or in the form of tea for drinking, gargling or inhaling.
- Thyme infusion : Place 2 tablespoons of chopped leaves in a cup of boiling water and let stand for 10 minutes, before straining. Drink several times a day.
The use of essential oil should only be done externally on the skin, since its oral consumption should only be done according to medical advice.
How to Plant at Home
Thyme can be easily planted at home, supporting variations in temperature and soil quality. Its planting should be done in a small pot with fertilizer, where the seeds are placed and lightly buried, and then covered with enough water to leave the soil moist.
The soil should be watered every other day by adding enough water to the soil to be slightly moist, and it is important that the plant receive at least 3 hours of sunlight per day. The seeds germinate after about 1 to 3 weeks, and the plant will be well developed after 2 to 3 months of planting, and can be used as a seasoning in the kitchen or to produce teas.
Thyme Oven Chicken Recipe
Ingredients:
- 1 Sicilian lemon
- 1 whole chicken
- 1 large onion cut into four pieces
- 1 roughly chopped purple onion
- 4 cloves garlic
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 4 tablespoons melted butter
- 4 sprigs fresh thyme
Method of preparation:
Grease a baking dish with little olive oil or butter and put the chicken. Make several holes in the lemon with a fork and put inside the chicken. Add the onions and garlic around the chicken, water with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Butter all the chicken and cover with the thyme.
Bake in preheated oven at 190ºC for 20 minutes. Increase the temperature to 200º C and roast for another 30 minutes or until the skin of the chicken is stained and your meat is cooked.
See more tips for using thyme in the following video:
Thyroid contraindications
Thyme is contraindicated during pregnancy and lactation, as well as in children under 6 years of age and patients with heart failure, enterocolitis or in the post-surgical period as it may delay blood clotting. It should be used with caution during menstruation, gastritis, ulcer, colitis, endometriosis, irritable bowel syndrome or in case of liver diseases.
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