Thyme

Thyme is a wild herb of the labiates family. Its Latin name is Thymus. This herb is very common in Armenia and widely used by its people. 
It was used in ancient Greece and symbolized courage. Roman soldiers bathed in thyme water to multiply courage and strength.


 

Thyme contains 0.5 - 1% ether oil, whose components are: thymol, carvacrol, cymene terpinene, boras camphor, and zingiberene. It also contains the following chemical elements: potassium, calcium, and magnesium. For medical purposes the stem and leaves of thyme are used, they are cut during the blossoming of the plant, and dried in the open air.
In terms of medicinal usage the herb has a very ancient history. Ancient Egyptians used it as chest and digestion-improving substance. Avicenna used thyme ether oil as ointment for headaches, and the whole herb for the treatment of burping, vomiting, asthma, and the lotions were used for inflammations in the mouth and quinsy.
Amirdovlat points out that the herb by itself or in mixture with oil, wine, honey or other substance opens up the congestion of organs, is diuretic, relieves jaundice, gives strength to the brain, stomach, when used with food relieves toothache, asthma, improves eyesight, cleanses the respiratory tract from phlegm, regulates respiration, brings out round and flat intestinal worms.