Thyme is an evergreen herb with culinary, medicinal, and ornamental uses. Thyme is of the genus Thymus of the mint family (Lamiaceae), and a relative of the oregano genus Origanum. Ancient Egyptians used thyme for embalming. The ancient Greeks used it in their baths and burnt it as incense in their temples, believing it was a source of courage. The spread of thyme throughout Europe was thought to be due to the Romans, as they used it to purify their rooms and to “give an aromatic flavour to cheese and liqueurs”.