There is no man who would not want keeping youth as long as possible. This desire is even stronger among women. We make a lot of effort and spend a lot of money to delay an aging process as far as possible. Maybe we just waste money? Perhaps the secret of rejuvenation is in another thing? We offer you revolutionary news: thyme herb will help you looking younger!

Many scientists agree antioxidants help people keeping youth. Essential oils contained in herbs can be effective antioxidants. Researchers decided to conduct experiments with thyme essential oils.

It was found that a natural antioxidant of this traditional food seasoning has a significant positive effect on laboratory mice bodies, and may be able to rejuvenate: both animals and humans.

Essential oils contained in many herbs can act as antioxidants - compounds to neutralize toxic oxygen radicals, which, in common hypothesis, cause aging.

Researchers studied the impact of thyme essential oil on oxidative stress parameters in laboratory mice.The experimental results conclusively proved that the essential oil, if it is added to drinking water and inhaled air, increases concentration of beneficial polyunsaturated fatty acids in brain and reduces the risk of cancer in animals.

Thyme health. History

Thyme was well known to ancient Greeks and Romans. Virgil’s manuscripts contain recommendations for its use in food for flavoring. Thyme was especially popular in England, Germany, Scandinavia, etc.

Ancient Romans knew this plant both as seasoning and medicine. Ancient Romans added thyme to dishes to give them a specific flavor. They seasoned vegetable stew with it (it consisted of such ingredients, as broth sauce, wine and oil). Savory was also added to sauces for baked venison, hare, pork and other dishes. Noble Romans traditionally wore a wreath of savory, as in those days it was considered a so-called “crown plant.” From the Mediterranean, it went to Central Europe in IX century through monks. And since it was an inexpensive spice compared with pepper, cloves, ginger, it won respect of a much larger number of people. Pleasant taste and delicate fragrance of leaves made it very popular.

Application

Use savory carefully, so that its strong bitter-spicy taste was not dominated over all others. Thyme’s aroma is also strong. In culinary they use fresh and dried stalks and leaves, while they are not crushed, but used entirely, or they give foods a bitter taste.

Savory norm for one serving (g): dried - 0,2-0,6, fresh- 1-3. When pickling vegetables, the norm of dried savory is increased to 1 g / liter. The spice is added in soups, boiled and stewed dishes 5-10 minutes until cooked. Products designed for frying or baking are sprinkled with savory before cooking.

In medicine, thyme is used in herbal preparations against bloating, diarrhea, cramps in the stomach and intestines. Savory juice soothes pain of bee stings and reduces swelling. Brew of fragrant plant reduces pain and relieves spasms of the stomach and intestines. It is recommended for diseases of kidneys, liver, gall bladder, as well as diabetes. Savory is a good nonlaxative, antihelminthic and diaphoretic. Having strong antibacterial properties, it disinfects food.

Savory, used in small quantities, stimulates appetite, promotes better assimilation of food, has a bactericidal, oxyuricide and nonlaxative effect. Herb is brewed as tea and used in gastro-intestinal disorders. On the basis of savory, one can prepare an invigorating drink, which is composed of yarrow and thyme. The drink has medicinal properties and hemostatic effect.

During Renaissance, savory was considered the main painkiller. It was recommended for treatment of constipation, abnormal vaginal discharge, as well as treatment of multiple sclerosis (in this case, a patient wore a wreath of savory on head). However, these are not all miraculous healing properties of plant: it is used while poor allocation of gastric juice, it helps to whet, treats sick liver, eliminates spasms in the stomach, helps with common cold, cough, calms nervous system. And finally, it should be noted that savory is still one of tonics.

Thyme health. Content of useful substances

The leaves contain up to 1% of essential oils consisting of thymol, phenol, carvacrol, pinene. Herb has antibacterial, antihelminthic and insecticidal action, is used as an aromatic, carminative, for gastrointestinal tract diorders; in homeopathy - as an expectorant.

Young stems and leaves of summer savory are rich in mineral salts, carotene, vitamin C, phytoncides and essential oils. Contents of dry matter in herb  - from 9 to 42%, vitamin C - up to 28 mg%.

Thyme cooking tips

Some modern cooks believe long heat treatment makes savory flavor weaker and it should be added 1 - 2 minutes until cooked.

In high doses, savory will “kill” food taste and aroma. To avoid bitter taste, experienced masters not even chop leaves, but put them entirely.

Dried savory should be stored in tightly closed glass or porcelain dish in a dry dark place.