It is used as a spice in many cuisines, especially in the Mediterranean. Its taste is strong and slightly acidic. It is the key ingredient in some sauces, it is used as a spice, or people use whole sprigs of the plant to prepare meat for cooking. It is one of the main ingredients of Benedictine liqueur.
It has antiseptic and antibacterial properties, which is why it has been used as a treatment for acne. Thyme oil is an expectorant, while the thymol it contains is an active antifungal. Its various species have been widely used as a tea, tonic, antitussive, and flatulence relief.
