Essential oils carry biologically active volatile compounds in a highly concentrated form that can provide therapeutic benefits in very small amounts. One such oil is thyme oil, which is derived from steam distillation of fresh thyme flowers and leaves.
Thyme, a member of the mint family, has a sweet, earthy flavor that lends itself well to cooking. Hippocrates, the “father of medicine,” counted thyme as a culinary herb, although it was used also used as a form of medicine in ancient times, particularly for respiratory conditions.
