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Many gardeners grow medicinal herbs on their property. Savory and thyme are popular among the plants. Before planting, it is important to understand the characteristics of each plant, the growing conditions and methods of application. Savory and thyme, the difference between which is described below, have similar and opposite features.
What is savory and thyme
To understand the issue, thyme and savory are the same plant or not, you need to study each species. These are low-growing dwarf shrubs that are found in Eurasia. They belong to the same family. The confusion arises from the fact that the names of the plants are very similar.
Herbs have a number of external differences. To distinguish between savory and thyme, just look at the photos, drawings and descriptions of cultures. Their main similarities are decorative appearance, spicy smell and medicinal use.
What does savory look like
Garden savory is an annual plant of the Lamiaceae family. It is also called pepper grass. It has the appearance of a shrub or semi-shrub, with branched erect stems, up to 50 cm high. The leaves of the culture are whole-edged, green, located on short petioles. The shoots have a pleasant aroma. Flowering occurs from July to October. In autumn, fruits ripen in the form of rounded nuts.
To determine if savory or thyme is growing on the site, you need to look at the plant during the flowering period. The first species produces flowers ranging in length from 4 to 15 mm. They are collected in the leaf axils. The color of the petals is bluish, lilac or pink. Flowers are located along the entire length of the shoot. The calyx of the shoot is bell-shaped, regular in shape, with five teeth. The number of stamens is 4, the anthers are separated, consist of two nests.
Mountain savory is also known in the culture. This plant is frost and drought resistant. It is planted in a sunny area. When grown in partial shade, fewer inflorescences are formed. The mountain variety blooms later: from July to September. The petals are white-pink with red spots.
Where grows
To find the answer to the question whether savory and thyme are the same or not, study of the distribution area of the plant will help. Savory naturally grows near the Mediterranean coast. In addition, the culture is found in the middle lane on the territory of Russia. It is cultivated in the Moscow region, north-western and southern regions.
The plant does not tolerate severe frosts. Therefore, growing it in colder climates is difficult. The area of distribution also covers steppe regions and Asian countries. The culture prefers cliffs and rocky slopes.
What properties does
Savory is a popular spice. Greens are used fresh, dried, salted and pickled. It is an excellent seasoning for salads, first and second courses, sauces. The leaves and stems contain tannins, oils, resins. This spice tastes spicy and piquant.
In cooking, savory was used by the ancient Romans. They added fresh sprouts to the sauce that was served with meat and fish. Over time, the annual spread throughout Europe. The dried herb improved the taste of cutlets, sausages and pies.
Savory is used in many national cuisines. It is one of the ingredients in the popular Bulgarian ketchup. The herb is also known in Moldavian, Armenian, Uzbek and Georgian cuisine.
To understand the difference between herbs, it is helpful to study the scope of each herb. Savory has a positive effect on the body:
- fights disease-causing bacteria;
- eliminates indigestion;
- relieves worms;
- relieves colic;
- has a diuretic and diaphoretic effect;
- removes signs of tachycardia, colds, cystitis and migraines;
- improves appetite;
- helps with vomiting;
- relieves cramps.
In medicine, savory is a component for tinctures and teas. The herb is effective for flatulence and has an astringent effect. An essential oil with a bright spicy aroma is obtained from the leaves.
Contraindications to taking savory are individual intolerance, pregnancy and breastfeeding. In addition, it is not recommended to use the herb for atherosclerosis, heart disease, serious digestive disorders.
What does thyme (thyme) look like?
Many people think that savory is thyme, because these words are very consonant. In fact, thyme has another common name - thyme. Therefore, the assumption that savory and thyme are one and the same is incorrect.
Thyme is a genus of plants that belongs to the Lamiaceae family. These are low-growing shrubs with a pleasant aroma. There are several hundred species of thyme in total. In Russia, the most famous creeping thyme is a perennial in the form of a shrub up to 15 cm high. This is the difference with savory, which is grown as an annual.
Thyme forms large tufts. The shoots of the plant are recumbent, stems with peduncles are straight or ascending. Leaves are elliptical or oblong. The length of the sheet plate reaches 10 mm, the width is no more than 3.5 mm. The leaves are arranged on a short petiole. The edges are not wrapped.
The inflorescences of thyme are capitate and compact. The calyx is in the form of a narrow bell, up to 4 mm long. The corolla is two-lipped, its length is 8 mm. The difference between savory and thyme lies in the color of the flowers. In thyme, they are bright, pink-purple.
The flowering period begins at the end of May and lasts until autumn. In September, the fruits ripen, which are small nuts.
Where grows
Representatives of the Thyme genus live throughout Eurasia, from the Scandinavian region to the shores of the Mediterranean Sea. The sphere of their distribution is very wide and covers the territory from Great Britain to Eastern Siberia. This is the difference with savory, which grows more often in southern countries.
Thyme prefers a temperate climate. The plant is found in areas with rocky or sandy soil. These are steppe zones, roadsides, mountain slopes, forest edges, spaces under bushes.
What properties does
The difference between savory and thyme must be sought in the purpose of these plants. Thyme is a great honey plant. After pollination of its flowers, bees bring delicious and fragrant honey. In ancient times, dried herb leaves were added to incense for worship. Extracts from its shoots are used to create perfume compositions.
Thyme has a strong aroma and a pungent, almost bitter taste. It is added to pork, lamb, mushrooms, pates and cheeses. In small amounts, it goes well with fried fish and liver.
Thyme shoots are used to make drinks. Young aerial parts are added to salads and homemade preparations. The herb gives a special flavor to sausages, teas, vinegar.
The difference between savory and thyme lies in the beneficial properties. The effects of thyme on the body are as follows:
- the plant relieves pain in respiratory diseases, asthma, bronchitis and tuberculosis;
- calms the nervous system;
- destroys pathogenic microbes;
- produces a choleretic effect;
- heals joint inflammation.
Medicinal teas and infusions are prepared from thyme.Lotions and compresses from it are effective for joint diseases, rheumatism, and wound healing. Contraindications to admission are atherosclerosis, arrhythmia, pregnancy and breastfeeding, allergies.
What is the difference between savory and thyme
The differences between thyme and savory are as follows:
- the sphere of distribution of cultures;
- the appearance of plants;
- the height of the bushes;
- color of flowers;
- methods of use;
- impact on the body.
The main similarity between these herbs is their use in cooking. Plants have a distinct aroma that enhances the taste of food. However, there are differences here as well. Savory has a more pungent and spicy scent.
Conclusion
Savory and thyme, the difference between which is very noticeable, still have their own characteristics. These plants are grown in a summer cottage or harvested in a forest zone. The leaves and flowers of these species are used for both culinary and medicinal purposes. Knowing the characteristics of these species and the difference between them will help you find the most beneficial uses for these herbs.
