I think it’s safe to say that thyme is best known for its culinary uses, where it forms the basis of many dishes. It’s sweet, fragrant, with strong herbaceous notes, and is robust enough to withstand long, slow cooking.

Thyme is one of the first herbs I add to steam pots—it helps to relieve inflammation and break up congestion. Combined with its antispasmodic and expectorant properties, thyme is a traditional remedy for painful, hacking coughs, including conditions like whooping cough and bronchitis.