ABSTRACT
The dried leaves of the Spanish thyme are used as a condiment in southwestern Europe and are also sold by herb-shops and used in the food industry. Thyme is considered a medicinal plant, which is inserted in many Pharmacopoeias. The flowering herb is employed in the production of Spanish thyme essential oil, which is used as aroma in the food industry, utilized in the cosmetics and fragrances industries and also employed for pharmaceutical purposes. The oils with high thymol content are highly valued. Thyme oils are also employed in aromatherapy practices, but usually in low concentrations in the case of high thymol content. Thyme oil containing thymol, Spanish type, is a yellowish to red clear mobile liquid, which has an intense aromatic–phenolic, spicy and slightly woody odor. The yield of essential oil from the flowering tops of Thymus zygis L. generally varies from 12.0 to 15.0 per cent.
