Thyme is an herb which has been in use since time immemorial. In the middle age the herb was synonymous with masculinity and was thought to instill courage and vigor. It was also thought to treat depression with its pleasing aroma. Therefore thyme along with rose found a place in every drawing room. The Greeks used it to prepare incense and the Romans used it to flavor cheese and alcoholic beverages.

There are more than 350 types of thyme available across the globe. The flowers also are of varied colors. Since it is very easily hybridized therefore new varieties are also being formed. Its flowers are small but numerous and they produced a very sweet nectar which are much liked by bees. Thyme nectar honey is considered as the best variety of honey. It belongs to the mint family and the flowers exist in almost every color which includes- white to mauve, lilac, magenta, blue-violet, and pale pink. Leaf colors vary from light green to olive grey-green, golden green, dark green, silver, or bronze-tinted. The leaves have their distinct aroma from pine to camphor and lemon to orange. The difference in aroma is due the varying amounts of terpenoid in its oil.

It is used commonly for culinary purpose. Common thyme and lemon thyme are used to impart flavor to various culinary preparations. The thyme is used in the kitchen is either fresh or dried leaves. It is used to flavor Soups, stews, baked or sautéed vegetables and in puddings and casseroles. Common thyme and Spanish thyme is used for medicinal preparations. A major portion of commercial thyme comes from Spain. Its oil is also used in soaps, toothpastes, cosmetics, perfumes and antiseptic creams. Thyme essential oils are also used in aroma therapy.

Thyme essential oil is rich in thymol which is a very good antiseptic, antibacterial and anti-oxidant. Therefore it is used in mouth and throat infections like tonsillitis, mouth ulcers and dental ailments. Cough drops and lozenges also contain its essential oil. It is also a very good expectorant which makes it useful in bronchitis, pertussis and productive cough. It also thins the mucus and restores cilia motion in the bronchi for better expectoration. The terpenoids and flavonoids give the expectorant and mucolytic action of its extracts.

Most species of the mint family have terpenoid and flavonoids and Thyme is no exception. Terpanoids and flavonoids are powerful anti-oxidants and help to remove Free radicals. Rosmarinic and ursolic acids are major terpenoids that possess anti-cancer properties.

Thyme can be used as a tea by boiling a spoon of crushed leaves in a cup of water for ten minutes and drinking the strained extract. The extracts can be taken 2 to 3 times daily for a week as a Home remedy for cough and respiratory infections.

Thyme is perfectly safe and no unwanted side effects are seen. Thyme is not recommended for use during pregnancy since it is a uterine stimulant.