Why is it critical to cover the container when steeping a strong infusion of thyme for a cough remedy?
Answer
To trap the volatile essential oils, preventing them from evaporating into the air.
The primary therapeutic agents in thyme, especially when preparing a strong infusion intended to target respiratory symptoms, are the volatile essential oils, which include thymol and carvacrol. These components readily evaporate when exposed to open air, particularly when steeped in hot water. Covering the container during the ten-minute steeping process is a technique specifically employed to physically trap these volatile oils within the liquid. If uncovered, these beneficial compounds would be lost to the atmosphere, significantly diminishing the potency of the resulting tea for inhalation and ingestion.
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