Thyme is a perennial shrub from the mint family. There are 350 known thyme species because it is easy to hybridize. Commonly grown varieties are lemon thyme (T.x citriodora), caraway thyme (T. herba barona) and wild thyme (T. septyllum). Thyme leaves as well as flowering tips; fresh or dried are used for culinary purposes. Thyme has various culinary, medicinal and aromatic uses. 100g of this herb provides 609 mg of potassium, 14g of fiber, a good amount of Vitamin C, Vitamin A, Iron, Magnesium, Calcium and Vitamin B6. Thyme contains volatile oils like carvacrol, borneol, geraniol, linalool, thymol etc. Thyme has a subtle, dry aroma and a slightly minty flavor.

• Thymol in combination with carvacrol have powerful antiseptic and antibacterial properties that have also been shown to have antimicrobial activity against a host of different bacteria. (Du E, Gan L, Li Z, Wang W, Liu D, Guo Y. In vitro antibacterial activity of thymol and carvacrol and their effects on broiler chickens challenged with Clostridium perfringens. Journal of Animal Science and Biotechnology. 2015;6:58. doi:10.1186/s40104-015-0055-7.)

• Thyme also contains a variety of flavonoids, including apigenin, naringenin, luteolin, and thymonin. These flavonoids have important uses as antioxidants, antimicrobial, antifungal and anticancerous agents. (Hossain MA, AL-Raqmi KAS, AL-Mijizy ZH, Weli AM, Al-Riyami Q. Study of total phenol, flavonoids contents and phytochemical screening of various leaves crude extracts of locally grown Thymus vulgaris. Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine. 2013;3(9):705-710. doi:10.1016/S2221-1691(13)60142-2.)

• The antimicrobial activity helps to preserve food against contamination and was used as a natural preservative earlier. Studies have been done on thyme essential oil that showed its antimicrobial effects on Shigella (organism that triggers diarrhoea). Washing fruits and vegetables in a water with 1% thyme essential oil helps to kill bacteria and microbes effectively. Thyme can also be added to raw salads to enhance flavour and as a natural food preservative. Due to this preservative property, a 1-3% solution of thyme essential oil is also used in cosmetics as a preservative and antiseptic. (I. Manou , L. Bouillard, M.J. Devleeschouwer and A.O. Barel, Evaluation of the preservative properties of Thymus vulgaris essential oil in topically applied formulations under a challenge test. Journal of Applied Microbiology 1998, 84, 368-376)

• The Vitamin C and Vitamin A present in thyme are powerful antioxidants; Vitamin-C is protective against infectious agents and helps destroy free radicals. Vitamin-A is a fat-soluble vitamin and helps maintain healthy mucus membranes, skin and good vision. Consumption of these natural foods rich in vitamin A and beta-carotene also helps protect against lung and oral cavity cancers.

Selection and Storage:

Both fresh and dry thyme is available to choose from. However, fresh thyme is superior in nutrients and flavour. Fresh thyme can be stored in the refrigerator wrapped in a moist cloth for up to 1 week. Dry thyme has a long shelf life and can be used often. The flavour of thyme is intense and only small quantities are needed in cooking. It should be added just before serving as on prolonged exposure to heat, its essential oils could evaporate.

Thyme can be used:

• The taste of thyme differs depending on its variety and can be used accordingly
• Mediterranean thyme- strong, earthly smell and flavour. The leaf is coarse and can hold well in dishes with longer cooking times
• French thyme has a brighter, sweeter, flavour profile. Its leaf is softer.
• Lemon thyme is a cross between Thymus pulegioides and T. vulgaris., with a lemony aroma and flavour that works well for soups or vegetable dishes.
• As a substitute for salt in seasoning soups, salads and vegetable dishes.
• Along with bay leaf, parsley and celery thyme forms bouquet garni which is used in cooking
• A few drops of the oil can be used to help relieve a sore throat

Interesting facts- Ancient Greeks used thyme for incense - in fact its name originally meant "to fumigate." Romans added it to their cheese and alcohol as a remedy for melancholy. They both considered thyme an herb that imparts courage and energy and used it with roses to sweeten the smell of their homes.