Abstract

Thymus vulgaris L. commonly known as thyme or garden thyme belonging to family Lamiaceae is a pleasant smelling flowering perennial shrub, cultivating all over the world. Thyme has great importance due to the possibility of its use in various applications, as food additives, in medicines and in cosmetic industry. Thyme leaves are highly aromatic therefore commonly used fresh or dried as a seasoning in a variety of culinary applications including soups, stews, sauces, meat, fish dishes and for flavoring liqueurs, herbal tea preparations. Thymus is an important medicinal plant, highly endorse due to a broad range of therapeutic properties of their chemical components such as antirheumatic, antidermatophytic, antioxidants, antiseptic, antispasmodic, antimicrobial, cardiac, carminative, astringent, diuretic and expectorant. The plant is also useful against cough, cold, chest infections, diabetes and for digestive upset. Flavonoids have good potential as antioxidants and antifungal behavior. The present review article gives comprehensive information about various medicinal and traditional utility and pharmacological activities of the thymus plant and its constituents.