Thyme (Thymus) is a genus of perennial herbs of the Labiatae family. All the species of Thyme contain essential oils and have very small leaves and flowers. The flowers are generally arranged in whorls and are purple, reddish or white in colour.
Common thyme (Thymus serpyllum) is found wild on British hills and the colder parts of the eastern hemisphere, where it grows flat on the ground. Lemon thyme is regarded as a variety of common thyme and is so named on account of its odour resembling lemon. Garden thyme (Thymus vulgaris) is a taller variety of thyme and is native to the Mediterranean region, being introduced to Britain some time prior to 1548, and easily cultivated in light soil in a sunny location..
From the flower heads of various varieties of thyme a stimulant is obtained which has been used in medicine. The antisepticthymol is distilled from the oil of thyme.
Garden thyme is widely used in cooking as a flavouring herb on account of its aromatic properties. Research Thyme
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Matt and Leela Probert
Abbreviations
Nature
Research Thyme
