Your Medicinal Plants

Thyme

Familia de Labiatae

This herb is native to southern Europe and northern Africa.
Thyme is an herb belonging to the family of Labiatae (Lamiaceae) plants.
The scientific name of this herb is Thymus vulgaris L.
We can find this medicinal plants whit the following common names: Timo maggiore, Common thyme, Garden Thyme, Thym commun, Thymian, Tomillo común, Tomilho.
The use of this herb is very old, the Egyptians used this plant in the embalming. The Greeks used it in their bathrooms and burned as incense in their temples.
Thyme is a perennial, woody stem of limited height, usually about 30 cm. This medicinal plant living in poor, rocky soils of dry regions. Its leaves are tiny and have aromatic essences.
The flowers of  Thymus vulgaris L. are pink and white, the calyx is reddish and velvety.
The whole plant is used medicinally.
Thyme is indicated as an antiseptic, antispasmodic, stimulant, balsamic, carminative, anthelmintic, diaphoretic and antiseptic.
Thymus vulgaris L. is composed of essential oil, presents mainly thymol, carvacrol, borneol, bornyl acetate, acetate linalínico, linalool, geraniol alpha and beta-pinene, limonene, cymene p-, gamma-terpinene, alpha-terpineol, tannins, oleanolic acid and ursolic , fenilcarboxílicos acids (chlorogenic and caffeic), resins, tannins, among others.
In addition to its medicinal properties, thyme is used as a spice in the kitchen, in perfumery and soap making.

Recipes from this herb:

Infusion: Place 30 gr. Thymus vulgaris L. Dry in 1 liter of boiling water sweeten with sugar or honey. Indicated in cases of colds and sore throats, drinking one or more tablespoons several times a day.

Tea: prepared by pouring a cup of hot water in two tablespoons of minced thyme. You should drink one cup (250 ml) daily. Suitable for cough.

Infections and wounds can be dripped with thyme that has been boiled in water (apply cold or warm).

Mexican tea

Familia de General

Mexican tea is a medicinal plant also known as goosefoot, pazote, Caan miri, among many others.
This medicinal plant was used by the Maya.
The Latin name for this plant is Paico.
This medicinal plant belongs to the family Chenopodiaceae.
The scientific name is Chenopodium ambrosioides L.
It is an erect herb, 60 cm. 1 m high. Its leaves give off an aroma very typical, very different to that of commonly used medicinal plants. Its flowers grow in long spikes.
Mexican tea is widely used as insecticide.
The part of this plant used for medicinal purposes are: stem, seed and fruit.
The medicinal properties of this plant are: diaphoretic, emmenagogue, carminative to remove intestinal parasites, antispasmodic, febrifuge and bronchitis.
The chemical composition of the herb is: the whole plant is rich in essential oil, one of whom, the ascaridol, is causing the effect of this plant parasite. The high content of oil Paico this is in the seeds. In this essential oil has been determined the presence of ascaridol, p-cymene, (-)-limonene, (+)-camphor, aritasona, safrole, docosane N, N-hentriacontano, N-heptacosane, N-octacosano, beta – pinene, methadieno, methyl-salicylate, dimethyl sulfoxide, delta-terpineol. Also reported in different parts of the following compounds: Ambrose, betaine, and B chenopodiósidos, chenopodium saponin A, kaempferol and santonin Rhamno.
Mexican tea can be dangerous in doses not recommended, you can generate tables of acute poisoning, especially in young children, while there is a risk of causing death.
Side effects of this medicinal plant include: vomiting, bloody diarrhea, headache, drowsiness, visual disturbances, decreased muscle strength, and other disorders.
Recipes from this medicinal plant:
Infusion: The preparation of a handful of leaves in infusion Chenopodium ambrosioides L. works as a repellent of mosquitoes and flies.
You can also put fresh plant in the areas you wish to keep free of insects.

Scorzonera hispanica

Familia de Asteraceae

The scientific name of this herb is Scorzonera hispanica. This medicinal plant is also called Salsify.
This medicinal plant in the Iberian peninsula grows wild in sandy wasteland, often near the sea.
The Scorzonera hispanica belongs to the Asteraceae family.
Scorzonera hispanica is a perennial, erect, branched stem that may reach 90 cm. high. The leaves of this plant are lanceolate, alternate, shiny green on top and pale on the underside.
The flowers of this herb are yellow.
The root of Scorzonera hispanica is thick, fleshy white pulp, grow about 20-30 cm. are long and black.
This herb gives off a distinctive musky smell that sometimes can be slightly unpleasant.
For medicinal purposes leaves are used (especially girls) and the roots of Scorzonera hispanica.
This medicinal plant is composed of a high content of vitamins E, B1 and B2, minerals such as iron, phosphorus and calcium (Fe, P and Ca).
The root of Scorzonera hispanica has expectorant properties, purifying and diaphoretic, which makes it suitable for colds and flu states.
This plant is also digestive and diuretic

Recipes from this medicinal plant:

Cooking: you place 30 gr. crushed root of Scorzonera hispanica in 1 liter of water. Boil for 10 minutes. 1 cup is taken after meals. This preparation is indicated as a diuretic and purifying. Should states be used for flu and colds are advised to take either client and sweetened with honey 3 to 4 cups per day.

Cooking: the root of this herb after being washed and cooked in salted water is eaten. It is food and a good digestive intestinal regulator.

Poultice: A poultice of crushed leaves of this herb is excellent for skin irritations or insect bites.