Thyme (/taɪm/) is an aromatic perennial evergreen herb with culinary, medicinal, and ornamental uses. The most common variety is Thymus vulgaris. Thyme is of the genus Thymus of the mint family (Lamiaceae), and a relative of the oregano genus Origanum.

HISTORY :: Ancient Egyptians used thyme for embalming. The ancient Greeks used it in their baths and burnt it as incense in their temples, believing it was a source of courage. The spread of thyme throughout Europe was thought to be due to the Romans, as they used it to purify their rooms and to "give an aromatic flavour to cheese and liqueurs". In the European Middle Ages, the herb was placed beneath pillows to aid sleep and ward off nightmares. In this period, women also often gave knights and warriors gifts that included thyme leaves, as it was believed to bring courage to the bearer. Thyme was also used as incense and placed on coffins during funerals, as it was supposed to assure passage into the next life.

The name of the genus of fish Thymallus, first given to the grayling (T. thymallus, described in the 1758 edition of Systema Naturae by Swedish zoologist Carl Linnaeus), originates from the faint smell of thyme that emanates from the flesh.

Thyme Bundle ::

Flowering Thyme ::

CULTIVATION :: Thyme is best cultivated in a hot, sunny location with well-drained soil. It is generally planted in the spring, and thereafter grows as a perennial. It can be propagated by seed, cuttings, or dividing rooted sections of the plant. It tolerates drought well.The plants can take deep freezes and are found growing wild on mountain highlands.

MEDICINAL USE :: Oil of thyme, the essential oil of common thyme (Thymus vulgaris), contains 20–54% thymol.Thyme essential oil also contains a range of additional compounds, such as p-cymene, myrcene, borneol, and linalool. Thymol, an antiseptic, is an active ingredient in various commercially produced mouthwashes such as Listerine. Before the advent of modern antibiotics, oil of thyme was used to medicate bandages. It has also been shown to be effective against various fungi that commonly infect toenails.[non-primary source needed] Thymol can also be found as the active ingredient in some all-natural, alcohol-free hand sanitizers.
A tisane made by infusing the herb in water can be used for coughs and bronchitis.

IMPORTANT SPECIES AND CULTIVATORS ::

1. Thymus citriodorus – various lemon thymes, orange thymes, lime thyme.
2. Thymus herba-barona (caraway thyme) is used both as a culinary herb and a ground cover, and has a very strong caraway scent due to the chemical carvone.
3. Thymus praecox (mother of thyme, wild thyme), is cultivated as an ornamental.
4. Thymus pseudolanuginosus (woolly thyme) is not a culinary herb, but is grown as a ground cover.
5. Thymus serpyllum (wild thyme, creeping thyme) is an important nectar source plant for honeybees. All thyme species are nectar sources, but wild thyme covers large areas of droughty, rocky soils in southern Europe (both Greece and 6) Malta are especially famous for wild thyme honey) and North Africa, as well as in similar landscapes in the Berkshire and Catskill Mountains of the northeastern US. The lowest growing of the widely used thyme is good for walkways. It is also an important caterpillar food plant for large and common blue butterflies.
6. Thymus vulgaris (common thyme, English thyme, summer thyme, winter thyme, French thyme, or garden thyme)[ is a commonly used culinary herb. It also has medicinal uses. Common thyme is a Mediterranean perennial which is best suited to well-drained soils and full sun.

PROTECTS HEART :: The rich mix of cell reinforcements, minerals, and vitamins in thyme have numerous little consequences for the heart, yet potassium and manganese are especially vital. Potassium is a vasodilator, which means that it can diminish the weight on the cardiovascular framework by unwinding veins and bringing down circulatory strain. This can broaden your life by anticipating atherosclerosis and keeping away from strokes, heart assaults, and coronary heart diseases.

BOOSTS IMMUNITY :: The abnormal amounts of vitamin C found in this herb make it a characteristic resistant framework promoter. Vitamin C empowers the creation of white platelets, which are the principal line of protection in the body's insusceptible framework. Vitamin C additionally has a significant impact in the generation of collagen, which is basic for the creation and repair of cells, muscles, tissues, and blood vessels.

REDUCES STRESS :: One of the vitamins in thyme (B6) powerfully affects certain neurotransmitters in the mind that are specifically connected to pressure hormones. General consideration of thyme in your eating regimen can help your state of mind and facilitate your mind when distressing contemplations come calling.