Thyme is a familiar plant in modern culture; it has inspired various songs and stories. In medicine, Thyme is known as an antiseptic and general tonic. The healing effects of Thyme have been used for anemia, respiratory congestion, whooping cough, sore throat, digestive problems, and more.

Thymus may derive from a Greek word thymon meaning "courage." The Greeks thought of thyme as connoting graceful elegance when under fire from adversity, and there are apparently many stories relating to its inherent virtue. The Scottish Highlanders drank herbal teas of thyme for courage and bravery, and from the 15th Century there comes a recipe which records the use of thyme and beer to overcome shyness, and charmingly at about the same time, it was thought to possess powers which enabled its user to "see" fairies.

More practically, thyme is known to possess powerful cleansing and preservative properties, which incidentally, according to history were well known to the Egyptians in their use of embalming fluids, preserving anatomical and herbarium specimens, as well as preserving paper. When applied to the skin, Thyme can relieve soreness and roughness, quicken the circulation, brighten and clear the complexion and generally increase the efficiency of Chi circulatory action, all of which may have the effect of preserving youth.