Thyme

Thyme, the fragrant genus Thymus, belonging to the order Labiatae, with very small leaves and terminal heads of reddish florets. T. vulgaris, Garden Thyme, a native of the western Mediterranean area, hns been used from ancient times as a seasoning. In the south of France an essential oil is distilled from it, which is sold in this country as "oil of marjoram" (q.v.). From this oil the stimulant and carminative stearoptene or camphor thymol, which is also valuable as an antiseptic disinfectant, can be obtained. It is, however, mainly prepared from the mericarps of the Indian umbelliferous plant Ptychotis Ajowan, the Ajowan, an ally of the carraway. Thymus Serpyllum is the wild thyme of English banks.