If you are looking for a wonderful way to add flavor to your meat, fish, and other dishes without loading on fat and calories, look to thyme, a delicious herb.

This popular herb is native to Europe, Asia, and North Africa and there are many varieties of thyme. Thyme has both the aroma and taste of cloves, but there is lemon thyme which smells like lemons, and many other varieties. The herb grows as a shrub and is a member of the mint family. Thyme grows well in areas that are hot and dry and it will do best when it receives full sun. But you can grow thyme in your home during the winter months as long as you keep it in a spot where it can receive lots of sunlight.

Thyme has enjoyed a long history especially in the use of worship and in death practices. The ancient Egyptians used thyme as an embalming method while other cultures burned thyme as incense. It is widely believed that thyme was in the manger when the Baby Jesus lay in the stall in Bethlehem. The early colonists brought thyme with them to the Americas to preserve their foods.
Thyme has been used throughout the ages to treat many disorders including depression, insomnia, digestive problems, and hangovers. Thyme tea is drunk to relieve symptoms of a sore throat or bad cough. In oil form, thyme can also be used as an antiseptic to clean cuts and scrapes. In fact, thyme is one of the main ingredients in the popular mouthwash Listerine. Fresh thyme is very low in calories - just one calorie per teaspoon - and has no fat or cholesterol. But the good news is that one teaspoon of fresh thyme offers vitamin C, vitamin A, and iron.

Since thyme has a strong flavor and scent, it is recommended that you use it sparingly at first and then add more of it to taste as needed. One teaspoon is usually enough of this herb to season soup stocks, sauces, breads, and other recipes. If you do not have fresh thyme growing in your garden or on your window sill, you can purchase bunches of the herb in the produce section of your local grocery store. The entire sprig of thyme may be used in recipes or just the leaves. Chop the leaves and add them to your cooking. Thyme is one of the few herbs that offers a great taste when it is dried. It is also sold in powdered form. When using dried thyme in recipes, substitute 1/3 teaspoon for one teaspoon of fresh thyme.