WILD THYME
Thymus serpyllum L.
(From Greek Thymos = the power and Latin serpere = to creep: Invigorating medicinal herb which creeps along the ground.)

"The ants, too, seem to know about this property; therefore they plant the herb above their habitats in order to protect the state against attacks from viruses and bacteria."
Vonarburg, Bruno (1981): Das Kräuterjahr.

Since the olden days, thyme has been known and appreciated as a medicinal herb. The essential oils have an antiseptic effect, which it develops in cough and bladder teas, for instance, tinctures, ointments against rheumatism or cleansing steam baths for the face. As a seasoning it has a digestive and appetizing effect.


Picture above:
Köhler, Franz Eugen (1883-1914):Köhler's Medizinal-Pflanzen in naturgetreuen Abbildungen mit kurz erläuterndem Texte : Atlas zur Pharmacopoea germanica. 4 v. : col. ill. ; 32 cm. Illustrationen: L. Müeller and C.F. Schmidt; Chromolithographie: K. Gunther. © Gera-Untermhaus : F.E. Köhler. [Ausschnitt ] © 1995-2003 Missouri Botanical Garden, Rare Books. http://ridgwaydb.mobot.org/mobot/rarebooks/

Picture below:
Woodville, William (1791):Medical botany. 4 v. © London.