Thymes are relatives of the oregano genus Origanum. They have culinary, medicinal, and ornamental uses, and the species most commonly cultivated and used for culinary purposes is Thymus vulgaris. Thyme leaves provide dishes with a subtle earthy essence, making it an excellent choice for sauces, salads and other recipes. Fresh leaves are delicate and low-key in taste, which allows the herb to infuse its flavor without overpowering other ingredients. Thyme contains chemicals that might help bacterial and fungal infections. It also might help relieve coughing and have antioxidant effects. People commonly use thyme for cough, patchy hair loss (alopecia areata), dementia, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.