Thyme – One of the Most Widely Used Herbs Thanks to the Romans
Introduction
Thyme (pronounced /taim/) is a well known herb and is a Mediterranean native of the mint family, which is one of the most widely used herbs. Thyme is considered by many herbalists as the very nearly perfect useful herb. The name may refer to any or all members of the plant genus Thymus, common thyme, Lemon Thyme, Thymus vulgaris, and some other species that are used as culinary herbs or for medicinal purposes. It was thought that the spread of thyme throughout Europe was thanks to the Romans, as they used it to purify their rooms and to “give an aromatic flavour to cheese and liqueurs”.
Interestingly Thyme was also used as incense and placed on coffins during funerals as it was supposed to assure passage into the next life. It was also a favourite fairy plant which could make them invisible to humans!
Growing
Thyme is a perennial herb requiring full sun and well drained alkaline conditions. It is widely cultivated for its strong flavour, which is due to its content of thymol. The plant is essential in scented gardens as it has an agreeable aromatic smell and a warm pungent taste. (more…)