Description of the spice. What is the chemical composition and calorie content of dried thyme. Features of its growth. Healing properties. Is there a risk of harm to the body if consumed excessively. Culinary recipes for dishes with spice. In addition, dried thyme has sedative properties and controls antihypoxic activity. Also, the spice has a beneficial effect on eye health, relieves redness and improves accommodation, eliminates blind spot effects and controls the stereoscopic image.
Harm and contraindications to the use of dried thyme
Thyme, like all other foods, if included in the diet, can provoke pain, worsen liver activity, and cause an allergic reaction. Ailments and changes in blood pressure may occur.
The consequences of overusing dried thyme:
- Food poisoning … Repeated vomiting, nausea, increased salivation, rapid heart rate, watery stools, feces with undigested food debris, abundant gas formation, slowing of intestinal motility, there is a possibility of botulism.
- Increased body temperature … Since the components of the spice have a warming property, the general well-being may deteriorate, there will be a feverish state.
- Allergic reaction … The epidermis becomes covered with acne, acne, becomes inflamed, the mucous membrane of the gastrointestinal tract is affected, dry eyes, myalgia, metabolic failure, aches and muscle pain occur.
- Toxic shock … A pathogenic microflora appears, the immune system weakens, headache, vomiting, low blood pressure, blepharitis, diarrhea, sepsis, peeling skin, exfoliating nails, hair falls out, body temperature rises.
- Painful sensations during menstruation … A pulling feeling in the chest and lower abdomen, mood swings, depression, irritability, constipation, increased sweating.
Due to the high percentage of fiber in the spice, headaches, constipation, colitis, imbalance of nutrients and allergic rashes on the epidermis can occur.
Absolute contraindications to dried thyme:
- High blood pressure … Headaches, fatigue, hormonal changes, pain in the heart, palpitations, hypertensive crises.
- Heart failure … Deterioration of blood circulation, shortness of breath, orthopnea, nocturnal cough, fatigue, accumulation of fluid in the abdominal cavity, deterioration of mental activity, peripheral edema.
- Stomach ulcer … Frequent belching, excessive weight loss, constipation, slowing down of metabolic processes, white plaque on the tongue, increased gas formation, internal hemorrhages.
- Pregnancy and lactation … The components of the spice can negatively affect the child and provoke an allergic reaction in him, there is a high probability of difficult childbirth and even miscarriages.
- Pyelonephritis … Nausea, accompanied by vomiting, malaise and general weakness, fever, appetite disappears, pain in the kidney area, tachycardia, bacteremic shock, dehydration.
Before adding thyme to the diet, it is necessary to be examined by a qualified professional to determine if the product will cause an allergic reaction.
Dried thyme recipes
Dried thyme is often combined with soups, canned food, sauces, pickles, sausages, bakery products, cheeses, vegetable and fish dishes. It is also added to alcoholic beverages. The aromatic features of the spice are better revealed during heat treatment, so it is added at the very beginning of cooking.
The following recipes for dried thyme are distinguished, characterized by the speed of preparation, low calorie content and pleasant taste:
- Salted chum salmon … In a plate, combine 3 tablespoons of salt, 2 teaspoons of sugar and a pinch of dried thyme. Half a kilogram of chum salmon is cut and removed from the spinal bone. Then the fish is dipped from all sides in the curing mixture. The fillet is pressed down with a lid and left for a couple of hours at room temperature. After that, it is transferred to the refrigerator for 2-3 days. Before serving, it is recommended to cut the chum salmon into slices and garnish with lemon wedges.
- Bechamel sauce … In a saucepan, heat 300 ml of milk. Then add 2 chopped onions and a pinch of parsley. Stir, bring to a boil, set aside for 1 hour. Next, the resulting mass is ground through a sieve. In another container, melt 30 grams of butter and gradually add 30 grams of wheat flour, stirring for 3 minutes. After that, the pan is removed from the stove and the milk mixture is poured in. Put again on low heat until boiling. Then 2 onions are chopped into rings, fried in a pan and rubbed through a sieve. Then everything is mixed, salted, pepper, a pinch of dried thyme and nutmeg are added.
- Tomato sauce … Chopped onions and sautéed in olive oil until golden brown. Then 3 cloves of garlic are passed there through a press. Meanwhile, canned tomatoes are peeled, chopped and poured into a frying pan along with the juice from a jar. The ingredients are brought to a boil, salted, basil, ground black pepper and a pinch of dried thyme are added. Cover the sauce and leave to simmer for another 10-12 minutes over low heat.
- Croutons in a frying pan … A clove of garlic is passed through a press and mixed with dried thyme. Pour olive oil into a frying pan, heat and lightly fry the ingredients, seasoning them with ground black pepper and salt. Then the baguette is cut into thin slices and laid out in a skillet. On each side, slices of bread are fried until crisp.
- Linguini … Heat the frying pan and pour in 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Meanwhile, chop 2 onions, pass 2 cloves of garlic through a press, rub 2 carrots and season with a pinch of celery. Then the ingredients are mixed with 500 grams of ground beef and spread in a skillet. Chop 2 tomatoes into slices and add 3 tablespoons of tomato paste to the rest of the ingredients. Season the sauce with a pinch of dried thyme and leave to simmer for another 7-10 minutes. Then pour 200 ml of red semi-sweet wine and 300 ml of broth. Cover and simmer for 10-15 minutes. Meanwhile, the spaghetti is boiled. After that, all the ingredients are mixed and sprinkled with grated hard cheese on top.
- Carbonara paste … Boil water in a saucepan, pour in 50 ml of olive oil, salt and throw in 150 grams of Tagliatelle. Stir regularly. After 8 minutes of boiling, the pasta is thrown into a colander. Meanwhile, chopped onions, 100 grams of chopped bacon, garlic passed through a press and a pinch of dried thyme are fried in a skillet. Then pour 30 ml of dry white wine and evaporate it. Then add 250 ml of heavy cream. The sauce is simmered in a skillet for 5-7 minutes over low heat. Then add pasta to it and cook for 2-3 minutes. The yolk is driven into the dish so that it is cooked, and sprinkled with grated hard cheese.
It is recommended to combine dried thyme with fatty foods, since then the gastrointestinal tract is activated and there will be no subsequent feeling of heaviness.
Interesting facts about dried thyme
The most popular spice blends that include dried thyme are Provence Herbs and Bouquet Garni, common in southern France; Zakhtar, widely known in the Arab states and used for barbecue lamb; Dukka, which is in demand in Egypt; "Creole platter" used in the Americas.
The ancient Greek philosopher Theophrastus described the healing properties of thyme and argued that it was able to increase human immune defenses.
The spice was first mentioned in the 3rd millennium BC. It was actively used by the population of southern Mesopotamia as an antiseptic. In ancient Egypt, thyme was used to embalm high-ranking individuals. The ancient Greek pharmacologist and naturalist Pedanius Dioscorides recommended that soldiers take aromatic baths with thyme to tone the body, stop bleeding and accelerate the regeneration of wounded skin areas.
Thyme became widespread in Europe after the 11th century. It was actively cultivated by the Catholic monks of the Order of St. Benedict.
In the Middle Ages, knights were woven into scarves with thyme leaves. This testified to their courage, valor and courage.
In Irish mythology, it is believed that thyme allows you to see magical creatures. To do this, you should wash yourself at dawn after Walpurgis Night with dew collected on the leaves of the plant.
In Ancient Russia, it was assumed that the spice is capable of restoring health and even reviving the dead. The priests threw thyme into the fires and tried to please their gods with a pleasant aroma. In today's villages, the houses for livestock are fumigated with thyme smoke to protect them from diseases and parasites.
In modern psychotherapy, it is argued that thyme acts as a sedative, helps vulnerable and insecure people to realize themselves in society, to reveal their talents and communication skills. Thyme stems and leaves are added to tea for a stronger flavor. Spice essential oil is added to toothpastes, toilet soaps and creams.
In Iceland, the spice is added to sour milk to obtain a healing drink that invigorates the body.
Watch a video about thyme:
The widespread use of dried thyme is due to the mass of its useful properties, ease of transportation and unique aromatic characteristics.
