Thyme

Thymus vulgaris L.

DESCRIPTION

Thyme is a small, wooden-stemmed evergreen plant from the Labiatae family (up to 30cm in height).

It lives in dry, stony, poor soil regions. It has small lanceolate or petiolate, ovate-shaped, inward turning leaves with small whitish hairs on their underside.

The flowers are white-pink and are grouped in verticils arranged on a sprig or cluster. It blossoms from the end of winter onwards.

COMPOSITION

Essential oil: Thymol, carvacrol and other monoterpenes, such as: p-cymene, limonene, borneol, etc.

PROPERTIES AND USES

Thyme has an expectorant action.

ACKNOWLEDGED TRADITIONAL USE

Bronchitis and whooping cough. Upper respiratory tract catarrhs. (European Commission, ESCOP and EMEA).  

COMMON USE

Spasmolytic, stomachic, carminative, urinary disinfectant, diuretic and antihelminthic.

DID YOU KNOW ?

Ancient Egyptians used this herb in embalming agents. The Greeks used it in their baths and it was burnt as an incense in their temples. It is believed that it was spread throughout Europe by the Romans who used it to purify their homes.