Lemon thyme plants grows to a height of approximately 20-40 cm and has hairy leaves and stems, opposite leaves, and half-grained white flowers that are small and pink in color.
The stems are woody at the base, flowering stems are erect to 10 cm and hairy on 4 sides. Leaves are linear toelliptic about 8 mm long and sessile. The inflorescence is headlike with purple flower corolla about 5mm long.
The essential oil is rich in geraniol (60%); other constituents include geranyl acetate (1.0%), geranyl butyrate (0.8%), nerol (2.8%), The main compound of Lemon Thyme essential oil is acyclic monoterpene alcohol geraniol with the chemical formula C10H18O, MW = 154.25).
This commercially important terpene alcohol with sweet rose aroma is one of the most important molecules in the flavor and fragrance industries and common ingredient in consumer products produced by these industries. Geraniol is used as flavoring for beverages, ice cream, candy, baked goods, chewing gum and toppings.
Lemon Thyme has a delicious lemon scent and tastes great with fish, poultry and in marinades. Dried leaves are added to potpourris and herb pillows. Lemon thyme oil is thought less irritant than other thyme oils, and is used in aroma-therapy for asthma and other respiratory complaints, notably in children.
Lemon Thyme
