The cultivation of thyme is practically worldwide, but increased in Central Europe, India, East Africa, Israel, Morocco, Turkey and North America. True thyme is originally from Central and Southern Europe, the Balkans and the Caucasus. Thymus zygis is native to the Iberian Peninsula and much of the drug originates from cultivation in Germany.
Thyme in herbal medicine
In herbal medicine, the dried leaves and flowers (thyme herb, Thymi herba) of the two parent plants stripped from the stems and the essential oil (Thymi aetheroleum) are used.
Thyme: special characteristics
Thyme is an aromatic, richly branched, dwarf shrub up to 5 cm high with small elliptical and opposite leaves with strong hairs underneath. The leaf margins are often curled downward.
The shrub’s purple flowers are in head-shaped inflorescences. Thyme is very sensitive to frost, which should be taken into account when growing.
Which species serves as a medicinal plant?
Thymus zygis also serves as the parent plant for thyme herb. In addition, less effective species such as field thyme (Thymus serpyllum), medicinal thyme (Thymus pulegioides) or lemon thyme (Thymus x citriodora) are often used.
Features of the remedy
The leaves of true thyme are ovate, and the leaf margin is curled downward. The upper side is green, and the underside is gray-felted with many small glands. Of the purple flowers, usually only the calyxes can be seen, which are covered with short hairs and white bristles at the base.
The leaves of Thymus zygis do not bear stems, are needle-shaped and also curled at the edge. Unlike the true thyme, they are green to gray-green and hairy on both sides.
What does thyme smell and taste like?
Thyme gives off a characteristic, very intense and aromatic smell. Taste-wise, thyme is aromatic and somewhat pungent.
