Description
Thyme is a hardy perennial shrub, 20-40 cm
high, the dried leaves are curled, brownish
green colour, 6.7 mm long, marketed in whole
or ground form. The flavour is aromatic, warm
and pungent. Flowers are light violet, two
lipid, 5mm long, with hairy glandular calyx.
The major types of thyme available in the
international market are French Thyme, Spanish
Thyme and American Thyme.
Origin and Distribution
Thyme is
a native to Southern Europe from Spain to
Italy. Apart from Europe it is grown in Australia,
North Asia, North Africa, Canada and USA.
In India, it is cultivated in the Western
temperate Himalayas and Nilgiris.
Thyme prefers a mild climate,
a mallow upland soil and grows best in the
hills.
Uses
Thyme is used to
season, tomato soups, fish and meat dishes,
liver and pork sausages, headcheese, cottage
and cream cheese.
Thyme oil is used in treatment of bronchitis.
It has anti-spasmodic and carminative properties.
It possesses anti-oxidant and anti-microbial
properties.
