A gamopetalous plant of the Labiatae family. Thyme, which comes in many varieties, including wild and common, also known as Serpolet, needs warmth and sun.
Flowers: from June to September

 The Greek word "thumos" comes from thuos which means wood which gives of a pleasant scent when burned. Thyme was originally used as incense since it smelled pleasant, and it was already known to have antiseptic properties.

 Thyme essential oil contains a large proportion of thymol, which is one of the most powerful antiseptics known.
An aperitive (it stimulates the appetite), it has also been used as an infusion to relieve gastric problems, coughs, and against whooping cough (in the form of a syrup).
In a decoction, it was used to clean wounds that had trouble healing.
Dried, it protected textiles from parasites.