ABSTRACT
Thymus vulgaris L. is a bushy, woody-based evergreen subshrub with small, highly aromatic, grey-green leaves growing to 15-30 centimeter (cm) tall by 40 cm wide. The thyme is widely cultivated as a spice and medicinal plant in the Mediterranean area, Europe and many other countries. The flowering herb is one of the most popular herbs throughout the world and is used to flavor meat dishes, sauces, vegetables, liqueurs and cheese and in scenting herbal teas. Leaves, flowers and oil are employed medicinally. Thyme is stated to possess carminative, antispasmodic, antitussive, expectorant, bactericidal, anthelmintic, antifungal and astringent properties. Thyme oil is a colorless to dark red, clear mobile liquid which has a characteristic odor, ranging from aromatic, spicy and medicinal-phenolic, over citrusy fresh and aromatic, to natural floral, woody and herbaceous, depending on the chemotype.
