Page 52 - Pharmacognosy-II (06-PG 303)

Thyme

‫الصعتر‬-‫الزعتر‬
Thyme B.P. 1998 consists of the whole leaves and flowers separated from the previously dried stems
of Thymus vulgaris L. or Thymus zygis L. or a mixture of both species, Family Labiatae
(Lamiaceae).

Macroscopic Characters:

Thymus vulgaris L.:
The leaf is usually 4 mm to 12 mm long and up to 3 mm wide, it is sessile or has a very short
petiole.
The lamina is entire, lanceolate to ovate.
Margin: is entire and revolute, both surfaces are grey to greenish-grey.
Apex: acute.
Odour: agreeable, characteristic aromatic.
Taste: characteristic aromatic somewhat pungent.

Microscopic Characters:

The transverse section of the stem shows hairy epidermis with diacytic stomata, non-glandular
trichomes being short, unicellular, short conical and as pointed teeth, and 2-3-celled, uniseriate,
sharply pointed with warty walls elbow-shaped (bent or geniculate). Glandular trichomes are
numerous (labiaceous).

The Powder:

The powder of the two species is grayish-green to grayish- brown in colour.
Odour and Taste: agreeable aromatic characteristic.

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