Thyme creeping: importance, application, peculiarities of cultivation

Thymus serpyllum or thyme creeping is a low, about 20 cm tall perennial shrub. Numerous stemming stems tend to lignify at the base and take root. Small leaves have an oblong-oval shape, they can be seen protruding veins and glands. Beautiful violet-pink flowers are collected in the head of the inflorescence.

Thyme creeping has many names, the most common of them is thyme or Bogorodskaya grass. Its name is believed by scientists to have originated from the Greek word "timon" or "timos", under which separate representatives of the family of labial flowers were united , and it means "courage", "strength", since thyme has a pronounced stimulating effect. According to another version, the name of the plant was derived from another Greek word "thio", which is literally translated as "making a sacrifice". The ancient Slavs threw the herb of thyme into the fire at sacrifices, and when the fragrant smoke of the fire began to rise, this meant that the gods accept the sacrifice. Specific name was also formed from the Greek word "herpo" - "crawl" on the basis that thyme is spreading over the surface of the earth.

Wild species of thyme grow on the Scandinavian Peninsula, in Central Europe, in Asia, North America and Africa. In Russia, wild thyme is found in European forest, forest-steppe and steppe zones, as well as in Western Siberia, the Caucasus and Transbaikalia. It loves open, well lit by the sun, sandy places. Valued as an ornamental, medicinal and spicy-aromatic plant, it is added to some dishes. In Russia, thyme grass is harvested in Krasnodar, Stavropol Krai and the Rostov Region for the production of medicines.

Thyme creeping has been known since ancient times as a wonderful medicinal plant. It is also used in modern medicine for the preparation of decoctions and liquid extracts. The intake of thyme is recommended for diseases of the respiratory tract, with neuritis and radiculitis. In perfumery made from thyme, an essential oil is produced, which is added to the baths, since it has a strong pleasant aroma. A dried or fresh plant is used in the food industry. It has a pronounced bitter-spicy taste, therefore it is considered a good addition to meat and vegetable soups, fish dishes, sauces, marinades. Powder from the dried upper parts of shoots with flowers sprinkle ready meals, and also use as a perfume for pates, smoked products, sausages and tea.

Thyme creeping, the cultivation of which does not require special knowledge and skills, will become an excellent ornament of any garden plot. It has remarkable winter hardiness and drought-resistant properties, prefers infertile soils. There is no need to look after him, water him or feed him. Thyme greatly grows, so if necessary, it sometimes needs to be limited in growth, cutting off some shoots. This plant reproduces predominantly ingrained shoots, but it is permissible to sow its seeds on seedlings. Seeds are closed in the closed ground at the very beginning of March. The first shoots begin to appear after 2 weeks. In May, when the soil warms up well, young plants begin to plant. Already next spring it will be possible to make the division of bushes, cutting it into separate shoots, which managed to take root well. Thyme begins to harvested in July, when it is actively blooming. Shoots with flowers cut with a sharp knife and dried in a shady place with a good draft. For consumption in food, dry raw materials must be crushed and sifted, and separated wooden stems. Keep only in closed containers.