Thyme

A major component in any association with Provence and sunny garrigue vistas, thyme represented courage in ancient Greece and until the Middle Ages. The flowers and flowering stalks of thyme or "Thymus vulgaris" are harvested at the start of the flowering season and dried away from sunlight. Its essential oil is used to treat spasms and as an anti-septic. Used to treat coughing, slow digestion and minor cuts, thyme (known in Provençal as "farigoule") is a guaranteed relaxant.