The oil is obtained by steam distillation of fresh or dried over-ground parts of thyme (Thymus sp.), perennial semi-shrubs.
There are two varieties with industrial significance: garden thyme (Thymus vulgaris L.) and common thyme (Thymus serpyllum L.). The oil is easily movable light red-brown liquid with intense, pleasant thyme scent and sharp, stinging flavour.
In the composition of the oil we have about 20 ingredients like thymol, carvacrol, camphene, citric, 1,8-cineol, linalool, terpinenol-4.
